Thanks for the bump of inspiration, pretty bike in standard trim. Started on the carbs last night, one of the screws on the crossbar(?) that holds the carbs together spun off on me. I don't have the proper sized easy-out so I'll borrow one from work. Heat/Kroil and love got three, one had to be different.
30 years of my 51 have been spent working on airplanes, I've learned a few things. Easy-out 101: Drill a big hole but don't bugger the threads. Further progress was unobtainable as I forgot to buy fuel line on the way home. Tuesday I put it all together and give it a kick, if it runs good I'll buy some K&N filters for the stock airbox and start looking at tires. Shinko 705s were the bomb on my DR650, would they look odd on an XS?
I sure don't think so! Keep the Faith! Throwbacks MC https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=159697770713381
What are they like as a tyre? [apart from stopping the rim hitting the ground!], good grip?, & wear rate? Look interesting as a tyre pattern Cheers Baza
Stupid cheap (bias ply models) handle pretty awesome on pavement ( I ride it like a street bike). It handles dirt roads pretty well but not sand, fesh, mud, or rocks. Well, better than any street tire. I love them and have gotten through some pretty rough stuff but it wasn't easy or fun. People are pretty surprised at where I've taken it. Ideally I'd like a set of takeoff wheels with more aggressive tires for more challenging terrain. I may just get my 1973 honda xl350 together instead. All told they're a great all around tire and wear very well ( no perceivable wear after 3000 miles). I will buy them again. Motorcycle superstore.com had the pair to my door for $120 shipped. Keep the Faith! Throwbacks MC https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=159697770713381
Troop, my man, This is the 21st Century. You will really want something with more than 3 inches of suspension Two inches after you sit on it. Fun getting them running, tho.
I cut my teeth on 1960s Triumphs. My view is that the original badasses that rode these things did so as is. If they can ride sportsters on the Rubicon in the 1950s then are we weaker for needing mono shocks, 12" of travel and sub 300# machines? Just a thought... Ride what you've got and enjoy it. Keep the Faith! Throwbacks MC https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=159697770713381
I wonder if they rode them over the Rubicon or dragged them over. But I was a lot faster 50 years ago, too! Can I hear an Amen!
Amen. You can probably tell from my name where I place my values. I sure do appreciate the capabilities of modern machines. I just can't afford them and hate that I can't do much to fix them if they break like I can the old ones. Keep the Faith! Throwbacks MC https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=159697770713381
If we could just post this statement as a APB over the entire advrider forum that would be fantastic! Glad to know I'm on the same page as someone else.
It's another reason why I don't fault anyone for taking their 650# r1200 wherever they want. Sure, it's a pig. But every time I think of them getting criticized for their choice of mount on their choice of terrain I look at photos from the 1940s of knuckle heads and chiefs on singletrack and in mud. Our forefathers came back from WWII seeking adventure and camaraderie by any means possible. They survived some Incredible circumstances. I relate to that. And to the challenge we place before ourselves. Keep the Faith! Throwbacks MC https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=159697770713381
Trials-type tyres work best in sand, wheelbase of the XS650 lends itself to a very stable ride in these conditions After 300kms of this stuff, you know whether it works or not, the three mates that traveled with me on that trip suffered on their bikes, [DR650, XT600 & TT600], with short wheelbases and knobby tyres Thought those Shinkos might have been more 50/50, which is a bummer, still looking for the ultimate tyre, Cheers Baza
Those shinko 705 are more 80% street. For a 50/50 look for the 244 or 241. Those are more dirt worthy. I've got a 244 on the front of my sons 1980 xl80. Grips great and still looks old. Keep the Faith! Throwbacks MC https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=159697770713381
Carbs rebuilt and gas tank shaken clean (not much in there) through the petcock holes. Added gas and it started leaking through the petcock bases...shoulda never messed with them. Got the leaking under control and gave it a kick, and another, and another BOOM she's running for the first time in a long while. Sounds funny, oh just running on one cylinder. Pop the left plug cap off and it runs the same, pull the plug and check for spark and I have none. Tomorrow I start with the cheap stuff, check for voltage at the coil, new plug wire and cap and check the points. She ran good, no dreaded knocks or oil smoke clouds. I think I got a winner.
Trying to tiptoe in on this project and it's not working too well. The petcocks leak, I guess 35 year old rubber can't really be expected to perform like it's old self. $50/ea for manual petcocks, I guess I could rig up a remote gas tank and press on until I hit the magic "free shipping" level. The gas tank was bone dry when I bought it, now I think I know why. Old bikes are like onions, the more layers you peel back the more your eyes water.