Just another XS2

GLJ said:

As I'm sure most of you know Yamaha did make a GS650 in 72 but only 200 of them. The GS650 is not a 650 but a 750. I decided to build what Yamaha could have built.

Click to expand...

Now it's beginning to make sense. Not really being a bikeophile, I always forget about the Yamaha GS650. I tried to figure out your thought process, so I Googled GS750, and came up with a 70s Suzuki by that name. So, somewhat baffled.

I'm impressed that Downeaster made your emblem from scratch. Very nice work.

Sounds like the GS750 may be going to the Ozarks. Oh me too.

DogBunny said:

Now it's beginning to make sense. Not really being a bikeophile, I always forget about the Yamaha GS650. I tried to figure out your thought process, so I Googled GS750, and came up with a 70s Suzuki by that name. So, somewhat baffled.

I'm impressed that Downeaster made your emblem from scratch. Very nice work.

Click to expand...

Thank you, but it's not as difficult as one might imagine. I used TinkerCAD to make the file. It's a freeware 3D CAD program that I find super-intuitive to use after failing to climb the learning curve on things like Fusion360.

The basic design was dead simple. It was made in two pieces, the "front" with the text, and the "back" with the mounting pins. That allows the prints to lay flat on the print bed so no supports are needed which simplifies cleanup and makes for more reliable and repeatable printing. The text was selected from the available fonts.

The only even remotely complex thing was allowing for slight differences in printed size vs. designed size due to calibration of the printer and shrinkage as the print cools. That was just a matter of "print, check, tweak the size, repeat".

It was a fun project.

Went for a 40 smile ride Friday and rode another 40 today. Seems to be running well. When I rode it today I had my AirHawk on the seat. Much better may need a touch more air. I'll live with the seat as this bike is more form over function. A stock XS2 seat leaves a lot to be desired but it feels plush compared to this seat.
Need to check valves and timing chain. Then it should be ready for the Ozarks.

GLJ said:

Went for a 40 smile ride Friday and rode another 40 today. Seems to be running well. When I rode it today I had my AirHawk on the seat. Much better may need a touch more air. I'll live with the seat as this bike is more form over function. A stock XS2 seat leaves a lot to be desired but it feels plush compared to this seat.
Need to check valves and timing chain. Then it should be ready for the Ozarks.


View attachment 325050
View attachment 325051

Click to expand...

You’ve put together another great looking bike Greg! With a nice punchy motor and style to boot!

Adjusted the valves and cam chain today. No surprises. all a touch loose. Transferred my Garmin from my other XS2 The Garmin is a nice unit, made for bikes. It has 1 annoying feature, it does not plug into a USB port for charging. It has a rather long cable going to it's charger. The charger then needs 12 volts. Needless to say it does not transfer easily from bike to bike. Also wanted to mount my USB charger from the other bike, it too needs 12 volts. Decided to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I used a SAE splitter. Lengthened the wires on the power in side so I could run it back to the battery. Then soldered in a fuse holder. Mounted the Garmin, tied up all the extra cable going to it's charger and wire tied it all behind the headlight bucket. Looks good. Next was the USB charger. It worked ok but But I didn't like the cabling going to it. The cable was rather long and you had to use a adapter to connect it to a SAE plug. Shortened the cable and reversed the polarity going to it. Tank fits with the splitter on top of the backbone. It all looks good to me.
Tomorrow go for a ride if all good then transfer tool kit from other XS2 and pack some cloths.

GLJ said:

Tomorrow go for a ride if all good then transfer tool kit from other XS2 and pack some cloths.

Click to expand...

That's confidence! Straight from wrenching to trekking. I love it.