XS650 Appresh

[BIG ED XT FAN]

Originally Posted by hunter_greyghost

Have welder can do! the local blokes call the one on 'Kenny' - a "dozer blade"
How would an XT600 frame work? a bit heavier construction to accomodate the extra weight of the XS motor.
Cheers
Baza

Baza, A XT 600 frame would be good. If you had a title for the frame you go right down the road with it!! Here in Ny no one will know what motor gos in what frame. If you set-it up right, upside forks, "Works Shock", and a big tank would go straight on!!!Just need some time and $$$$$ ED

[hunter_greyghost]

Originally Posted by Growl

Baza... What gearing are you running?

17 tooth front cog, [standard]
When towing trailer;
38t x 18" rear [D606 knobby (Dunlop)] for knarley country [hilly]
34t x 16" rear [K460 enduro (Dunlop)] for dirt / tar - in general
Been trying to get hold of some 36 tooth cogs to give me some further variety, have used 30/32 tooth cogs on tar trips without the trailer
Cheers
Baza

[hunter_greyghost]

Originally Posted by hunter_greyghost

Heading to 'Trout' rally - 5/6 November, up in the alpine country south of here, will post photos.
Cheers
Baza

Well folks, the mighty 'Kenny' was a DNF for this one, made it to the mountains then a slipping clutch turned into a nightmare,
made it back after some big favors from a mate @ Yass who rescued us from the side of the road,
result will probably be RS clutch plates @ least but @ moment I'm recovering from badly twisted leg - courtesy of a bad tempered bike, fell over getting it off the trailer @ home
Cheers
Baza

[hunter_greyghost]

Originally Posted by hunter_greyghost

Well folks, the mighty 'Kenny' was a DNF for this one, made it to the mountains then a slipping clutch turned into a nightmare,
made it back after some big favors from a mate @ Yass who rescued us from the side of the road,
result will probably be RS clutch plates @ least but @ moment I'm recovering from badly twisted leg - courtesy of a bad tempered bike, fell over getting it off the trailer @ home
Cheers
Baza

Gunna begin surgery on 'Kenny' [clutch burn-out] this week, keep ya posted
Cheers
Baza

[Reverand Roadblock]

Is the swingarm bearing conversion from Mikes XS any good or should I stick with the bushings?


Mr. Greyghost; Hope your leg heals up soon!

[FloridaSteve]

I've never done it on an XS but I have done it on several older bikes that had updated kits available and my 2 cents is that it you're going to ride it hard then it's absolutely worth it. If you're just going to cruise and puttter then just maintain and lube your original stuff. Of course that caveat never stopped anyone from upgrading if theyreally wanted to.

Originally Posted by Reverand Roadblock

Is the swingarm bearing conversion from Mikes XS any good or should I stick with the bushings?


Mr. Greyghost; Hope your leg heals up soon!

[2manyrides]

I did the upgrade to needle bearings and my friend used the bronze or brass upgrade. I had used the fiber ones before in a previous fixup of the same bike. (many miles on this one... over 200,000?)
Any way, those fiber ones wear big time even with lube. You just don't want any slop in there.
Before the needles, I was in a bit of a wabble stage with reguards to hands free driving. (take your hands off the bars for a moment)
With needles in the swing, and the upgrade to tapered in the steering head, I was once more on a straight and narrow track.
Both sets came from mike's.

Good luck, I think it's worth it no matter what/how you drive!

[FloridaSteve]

You know what, 22manyrides makes an excellent point and I've changed my mind on this. It really does help just as much in holding a line in a straight line as it does in the turns and shame on me for forgetting that. Change my answer to a solid YES either way.

[Reverand Roadblock]

Awesome. Thanks much!

[Garbln]

[QUOTE=Reverand Roadblock;17302144]Is the swingarm bearing conversion from Mikes XS any good or should I stick with the bushings?

Ether the needle or brass bushing conversion is better than the stock bushings! While your at it, do the tapered head bearings too. You won't be sorry.

[hunter_greyghost]

[QUOTE=Garbln;17303746]

Originally Posted by Reverand Roadblock

Is the swingarm bearing conversion from Mikes XS any good or should I stick with the bushings?

Ether the needle or brass bushing conversion is better than the stock bushings! While your at it, do the tapered head bearings too. You won't be sorry.

Confirmed with Brass & Tapered, handles the rough with the smooth in style!
Cheers
Baza

[Gham]

[QUOTE=Garbln;17303746]

Originally Posted by Reverand Roadblock

Is the swingarm bearing conversion from Mikes XS any good or should I stick with the bushings?

Ether the needle or brass bushing conversion is better than the stock bushings! While your at it, do the tapered head bearings too. You won't be sorry.

I did the brass and tapered head bushings and it made a remarkable difference,but mine were shot(as most are)Got them from Mike's

[SpeedFourJoe]

This is my '79 Special that I just did some work on. I used the All Balls tapered steering bearings and TC Bros. Choppers bronze swingarm bushings, and recommend them both.

[hunter_greyghost]

That's very nice original looking bike, hope you enjoy it, do you do much travelling on it?
Cheers
Baza

[SpeedFourJoe]

Originally Posted by hunter_greyghost

That's very nice original looking bike, hope you enjoy it, do you do much travelling on it?
Cheers
Baza

Thanks! It will mainly be used just for country road exploring and fun, but I'd love to do some long trips on it sometime.