Xl 600 LMF rebuild by Andrew W

[stubbow]

Nice looking bike.

I have a XL 600 LMF on a C reg. plate bought of E Bay earlier this year as a non runner. Had been standing for a couple of years after the owner returned from a trip to Turkey and back. There is a small crack on the frame at the bottom of the oil tank, is this a common problem? hope to have it welded before long, all prep work done. Side pannels missing, no luck so far in finding replacements. Will side pannels from another model fit? My aim is to get the bike up and running then dependant on how it's running undertake the refurbishment to get it ready for my trip of a lifetime to Turkey on it. Anyone out there done a similar trip or thinking of doing one? Any advice would be more than welcome. Len

Hi Len
Welcome to the forum, Great choice of bike as you will see in another thread i have just finished restoring my LMF for a trip to Turkey next year!!
I'm going with a couple of mates there will be 2 of us possible 3 on LMF's
I'm doing it for Cancer research(click the sponsor me link for details)
I have a few bits left over from the rebuild including a left side panel(one lug missing) also got a Frame, swingarm,twin headlight(no wiring loom and needs a bit of a repair) and various other bits and bobs your welcome to any of it for a small donation to my justgiving page.
I also have the genuine workshop manual and parts book if you need any tech help or part numbers
Danny
Danny

[andreww5680]

I get my plating done through a friend of a friend

The stuff you see there including silver, black and gold colours cost me £20

Im not sure how much ' real world' plating costs.

Went round to the grandparents today but scraped the paint off the 'RFVC' on my tappet cover so that is good to go !!!

Hopefully i will get some more done during the week !!!

LEN- a few people on here have done restorations on these so you are in the right place !!!

[Len Phillips]

Hi Danny

My bike has the twin headlamps, I think the frame is ok apart from the slightest of cracks on the bottom end of the oil tank, very small weep when engine is running, hope to have it welded soon, not going to chance doing it myself. How much for the side panel? will you post it. Thanks Len

[stubbow]

Hi Danny

My bike has the twin headlamps, I think the frame is ok apart from the slightest of cracks on the bottom end of the oil tank, very small weep when engine is running, hope to have it welded soon, not going to chance doing it myself. How much for the side panel? will you post it. Thanks Len

Sorry mate i just asked my wife where the panel is and she said i told her i didn't need it and she has thrown it away
Danny

[stubbow]

any news Andrew?

[andreww5680]

Hey Danny

Yes i have been busy

Once i have finished painting everything i will post up a whole bunch of pics

I still have to paint :

Starter motor
Crankcases

Otherwise all done

Am trying to clean up crankcases and mask them off today with the view to paint tomorrow !!!

Still waiting for nuts and bolts

These should be back next couple of weeks

Photos soon !!!

Hold on to your hats !!!!

[andreww5680]

Ok everyone

Stuff took longer to complete than i thought (PHEW !!!)

But it is starting to come together and im really pleased with the results !!!



Im sure you will all agree its starting to come together and look the business !!! The crankases were a ******* to prep but i think i got a reasonable key on the surface- this combined with the fact i used an acid etch primer there shouldn't be many (if any) paint issues.



On the crankases i got the hex screws plated silver- this was purely by accident but they look so good angainst the red with the contrasting black hex bolts on subsiduary assemblies i decided to leave them- the plating came out excellent i am very happy witht he finish.





The head waiting to go on





The tappet cover with all re-plated fixtures including valve lift assy and rocker pins







The barel on the crankases- doesn't that make you want to cry with joy !!

Its been a long and arduous experience but i am really starting to feel passionate about the build now i see it coming together !!!

[stubbow]

Looking good mate once you start bolting all the big lumps together it doesn't
take long
Is the output shaft on your motor OK it looks a bit dodgy or is it just covered in masking tape
What have you done to the motor apart from the paint?
Im very happy with mine but it does whine a bit in 5th gear so i am going to pull the motor out over the winter and give it a full Monty rebuild including gearbox, bottom end, bearings etc.
Danny

[andreww5680]

Output shaft still covered in tape so no worries there !!

I have skimmed the head and am replacing all gaskets- the engine ran sweet as a nut before so no need to change anything. clutch looks fine- i think the plates were recently changed- nothing looks amiss..

You know what they say- if it aint broke

Once i get it back up and running i will be looking for faults so im sure like you i will be doing bits and pieces over winter.

Dave silver are amazing they have absolutely everything- i lost the the timing mark shiny alluminium blanking screw -got a new one this afternoon £ 4.75 so i thought i might as well get the central flywheel cover as well £ 7 odd

So if you need spares and cant find them on the website phone them up -- they are excellent!!!!!

I think next task will be bolting the head back on and possible valve timing- if i have a chance i will do that this eve..

watch this space !!!

[andreww5680]

Ok i got my act together and did some more

Not alot needed to be said- the pictures are self explanatory...

I will have a few small areas to touch up but overall it looks lovely

I would bolt the lump in the frame but i am waiting for some tapett cover bolts from dave silver (to replace non originals i took off)

I have ordered a new aluminum valve cover (bolts onto tapett cover) as one looks a little tired.

i was going to buy a new crankase to head oil feed pipe as mine is a little rough but unfortunately dave silver say they are out of production i will check cmsnl- problem is they are VERY expensive

Anyone know af companies that do reproduction VIN plates (little alluminium disc on the frame saying frame no etc )

Hope pics impress

Andrew