All about Steed

[ultimax]

Originally posted by picanto@Mar 30 2006, 01:54 PM

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/zhanma/P1020122.jpg[/img]Anybody know how to clean the fork stain, i can't clear them by using autosol and basso.

haha i'm curious too. Maybe it's a different form of metal oxidation.

[ultimax]

Originally posted by picanto@Mar 30 2006, 12:07 PM

Hi cruzz_77 & ultimax

 

Thanks for your advice. ultimax i would like to know more about POR-15. Thanks

Bro,

 

there are 3 parts in the kit - tank cleaner, solution to prep the surface, and the tank liner itself.

 

You can read about POR-15 here:

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forum/index....ndpost&p=107020 (review by a fellow SBF biker)

 

and

 

http://www.willystech.com/faqs/Breakout/fuel.html#FTR (overseas review)

 

and

 

http://www.por15.com/Default.aspx?TabId=36 (I'm gonna get the Cycle Kit)

[sghondarebel]

Originally posted by picanto@Mar 30 2006, 01:54 PM

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/zhanma/P1020122.jpg[/img]Anybody know how to clean the fork stain, i can't clear them by using autosol and basso.

Sorry, but your picture is really kinda blur so I am just gonna make guesses here. Most bikes from the factory have their fork legs coated with a flim of lacquer. This flim wears out over time and gives a very "stained" look with some areas of lacquer wearing off. If you still have lacquer on the fork, using autosol is going to be a very long long process trying to remove the stains.

 

If your forks are coated with lacquer and if you use autosol on them, you will get a "uncoloured" effrect on your cloth. But if the forks are uncoated metal, then using autosol on them will leave your cloth black.

 

Hope I am making some sense here.

[cak]

Where can i buy footrest for my Steed?

[shiraz]

Originally posted by picanto@Mar 30 2006, 01:54 PM

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/zhanma/P1020122.jpg[/img]Anybody know how to clean the fork stain, i can't clear them by using autosol and basso.

this is like slightly rough like small stones stuck on the fork right... u can go to any harware shop and ask for steel wool... put some autosol on the wool and start rubbing... the stains would go away. alternatively, u can use very fine grit sandpaper with some soap water to sand away the 'blemishes' be sure not to sand too much or too hard because u might cause scratches on the fork..

[rae07]

are those sandblast marks? if so..go down to hardware stores and try ask for stuff to remove sandblast.

[Throttle]

the so call fork stains (cant see picture clearly) is most likely due to the wearing out of the first protection layer which is usually applied to metals which have a brushed look.

 

Do not use anything abrasive to clean it becos it wont work and may worsen it.

 

Such "mark" are commonly found on older bikes or bikes which are exposed to more mileage and elements of nature. my bike too has this marks on some areas.

 

perhaps you can post a clearer picture so we can see.

[cak]

thanks normal aspirated. Btw, i'm thinkin of changing my handlebar. has anyone here done that on their steed >>?

[cak]

I'm intending to change my engine oil, filter and spark plug. If bros here is doing that DIY, pls post here. so that we can all learn. hehe. thanks

[Ghost_VLX]

Originally posted by CridZ@Jan 11 2006, 04:40 PM

Hi guys...hoping that ya'll can help me out on this. Im riding an "FL-Plate" VLX and i love my Steed so much however there's a lot of things/problems that i encountered.

 

1) My steed is not able to reach 140km/h, not even close to that and i wonder why? I've tried to change the EO, serviced the carb, changed the chain & sprocket but the performance still dissapoints me. Is there anything i can do to increase the power?

 

2) My handle also vibrates terribly upon reaching 100km/h...and my hands got so numb that i can barely feel anything due to the vibration. What do you guys think is the problem? Is it advisable to send my bike for a major overhaul? Im just afraid it will cost me a bomb and worst still, wont change anything...

 

3) I've also ever tried to arrange the wires and cables on the bike nicely as i thought it look so messy however after dismantling the parts, i noticed the wirings is so old and some worn out. I thought of sending the bike to the w/shop to do it up all over again with new wires/cables so as to look much neater. Is it worth it? Any idea how much it'll cost?

 

4) Lastly, my steed gets soo burning HOT very fast. I can just start my bike, and the temp will shoot up in minutes or after travelling for a short distance. Is that normal?

 

Does anyone experience the same on their VLX? Oh...someone please help me....

Hi, I'm also riding steed (VLX 600) 1995 dual carbs.

 

Not able to rech 140? Check your air filter, replace if necessary.

Check cylinder compression, should be around 180-190 psi if I recall correcly.

What is your plug color? any oil stain on it?

 

For the vibration, is your bike dual or single carb? If dual, you may want to sinchronize the carb. Take it to a good shop, or if you like DIY, you can make the tool your self and do it in 10 minutes, cost max. $2.

 

Burning hot: check your coolant level on the main inlet, behind the right steering cover. Check the reservoir tank below the right side panel cover, should be above 'lower' lever. If you have not change the coolant in a year, flush it and replace with good coolant like engine ice. Another option is Prestone extended life (orange) and you can add Water wetter to make it super coolant.

[Ghost_VLX]

Originally posted by picanto@Mar 30 2006, 01:54 PM

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/zhanma/P1020122.jpg[/img]Anybody know how to clean the fork stain, i can't clear them by using autosol and basso.

You can't use metal polish on it because it has clear coat. What I did was remove the coat with paint remover, sand the aluminium with 800, 1000, wet sand 1000 and wet sand 1500 until it's silky smooth, then use your favourite metal / aluminum polish to a mirror finish. No need to re coat with clear paint.

I would recommend Mother's Mag & Aluminium polish. The shine holds up for many months with very little effort when polishing and touching up.

Click the link at my sig below to view.

[ultimax]

Is there any way of testing/checking whether the radiator's fan works? THanks!

[Throttle]

Ghost, dont think you're local but you have my vote for the coolest Steed i've seen and i've seen a lot of Steeds, having owned one back in 1994 as well.

 

The understated, clean looks with the right amount of "ornaments" greatly enhances the original look of your Steed. I could even smell the pride coming from the exhaust. Great job there.

 

:thumb:

[testrider]

ghost, tink thats a 600cc steed right . we dun have it here in sg. or am i wrong to say that?

[Ghost_VLX]

Originally posted by Throttle@Apr 22 2006, 10:35 AM

Ghost, dont think you're local but you have my vote for the coolest Steed i've seen and i've seen a lot of Steeds, having owned one back in 1994 as well.

 

The understated, clean looks with the right amount of "ornaments" greatly enhances the original look of your Steed. I could even smell the pride coming from the exhaust. Great job there.

 

:thumb:

Throttle, thanks a lot for your compliments! I'm Indonesian, Singapore PR.

Overall I'm happy with the way it turn out. But honestly, I think the tank speedo is a mistake. I'm gonna remove it later and put a flushmount gas cap. Hope it will look better.

[cak]

any bros here that has steed400 vlx manual?

[Ghost_VLX]

Originally posted by testrider@Apr 22 2006, 01:14 PM

ghost, tink thats a 600cc steed right . we dun have it here in sg. or am i wrong to say that?

Yes, 600cc 1995 dual carbs. Mine is California model which has emission control stuff connected to carburetor. Currently not available anymore in Singapore, but heard long time ago they have...not sure though. Othar than cylinder and piston If I'm not wrong all parts are exactly the same as 400. I'm using 400 cylinder heads and crankcase cover, also clutch plate & discs.

[Ghost_VLX]

Originally posted by cak@Apr 22 2006, 11:21 PM

any bros here that has steed400 vlx manual?

Try this:

 

http://www.jericon.net/VT600C_1997-2001.pdf

 

or,

 

http://www.vt600.net/index.htm

 

Its for 600 dual & single carbs, exactly the same for 400 except piston size.

[Ghost_VLX]

Originally posted by ultimax@Apr 21 2006, 10:50 AM

Is there any way of testing/checking whether the radiator's fan works? THanks!

Never done this before but here's what I hv frm a friend in another forum:

 

When the bike is hot (after at least a 10 minute ride) let it idle for 10 5-10 minutes, the fan should cycle on.

If it does not cycle on within 10 minutes or so the thermo switch, wire or fan may be faulty.

You can test the fan by simply removing the single wire from the thermostatic switch (on the bottom of the radiator) and using a jumper wire ground it out to the frame or engine. Turn on the key switch and the fan should come on.

 

You can test the thermostatic switch by removing it; suspending it in a pot of coolant and using a thermometer and continuity tester bring the coolant to a boil and check the coolant temp at witch the switch opens.

Thermostat begins open at 80-84 deg. celcius.

[cak]

thanks dood

[ultimax]

Originally posted by Ghost_VLX@Apr 22 2006, 11:30 PM

Never done this before but here's what I hv frm a friend in another forum:

 

thanks dude!

[a sai lah]

As what Ghost mention these are the facts and indeed these are the ways to check if the fans are working.

 

Me myself noticed the fans working if bike were to park for a while and my bike were check also by using the same method as done by a mechanic.

[cak]

Originally posted by Ghost_VLX@Apr 21 2006, 10:22 AM

You can't use metal polish on it because it has clear coat. What I did was remove the coat with paint remover, sand the aluminium with 800, 1000, wet sand 1000 and wet sand 1500 until it's silky smooth, then use your favourite metal / aluminum polish to a mirror finish. No need to re coat with clear paint.

I would recommend Mother's Mag & Aluminium polish. The shine holds up for many months with very little effort when polishing and touching up.

Click the link at my sig below to view.

ghost , is that a step by step method? Like i have to sand using a 800 then a 1000 followed by wet sand 1000 and 1500...

 

And is the alumjinium polish 'Mother's Mag & Aluminium Polish readily available in hardware shops? If not, can you tell us where to get it...

 

thanks.

[Ghost_VLX]

Originally posted by cak@Apr 23 2006, 10:42 PM

ghost , is that a step by step method? Like i have to sand using a 800 then a 1000 followed by wet sand 1000 and 1500...

 

And is the alumjinium polish 'Mother's Mag & Aluminium Polish readily available in hardware shops? If not, can you tell us where to get it...

 

thanks.

Yes, thats step by step. Of course you hv to take the fork off first lol.

 

One way to make the sanding easier: buy a small paint roller and attach it to a drill bits, then install to your drill. Roll the sandpaper to the paint roller, following rotation direction. Secure with rubber band at the bottom. Now you have a sanding machine. See picture below.

The longer you spend on 1500 wet sand, the final result will be closer to mirror finish. When sanding on each step do it 2-3 times until all scratches frm the previous grit dissapear.

 

It took me 1 day to finish forks, rear brake drum housing, front sprocket cover, hand controls and master cylinder.

 

I got Mother's frm Ace hardware in Jakarta. Maybe Batam have? Definitely you can get it online frm US.

[adriel]

I wanna get this......

 

http://www.texbrite.com/products/xtreem-me...olish-majic.htm

 

but dun think singapore have leh......

 

looking for something that can use to seal the chrom... so that water stains won't look so obvious.. or so hard to remove....

 

anyone koe of such a product????

 

thanks