What have you done to your XS today?

Alright, just finished tightening everything back up after removing one link from the chain. Got me back up to the third adjuster mark. Might get another 1-2 thousand from this chain. I’m happy.
 
That’s good Thaddeus but I sure wouldn’t use that chain with new sprockets or a new chain with the old sprockets.

Anyhow, you’re back up and running - enjoy!

Pete
 
Wanted to take my XS out for a spin, but only had time to take a tour on my Roadstar with my wife. Was still a nice day between rainy days we have had and will get. At least I got our pool going again this morning. Had a reward of beer and prime rib bbq at the end of it all!!

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That’s good Thaddeus but I sure wouldn’t use that chain with new sprockets or a new chain with the old sprockets.

Anyhow, you’re back up and running - enjoy!

Pete
For sure; what I was saying is that when it IS time for a new chain, I’m going to go for a quality one that hopefully won’t stretch as fast, and I’ll use these nice new sprockets with it.
 
Alright, just finished tightening everything back up after removing one link from the chain. Got me back up to the third adjuster mark. Might get another 1-2 thousand from this chain. I’m happy.

Here's a cool trick I learned for all 5xx chains (chains that measure 5/8" between pins). Jam a rag into the sprocket to make the chain very tight. Measure 16 links using a tape measure. Should be exactly 10". At 10-1/8" you're marginal. At 10-3/16" your chain is junk.
 
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Yes, this spring weather has me down. It’s too cold as well. I thought last year was bad, but this spring has been a drag.

Man we had a short fall that went into winter some fast...now spring is late to get here and raining near all the time or cold. Sure hope summer will be awesome. Gotta put some miles on this year.
 
We’re having humid 90 degrees today! Back in 70s tomorrow! Most of our rain has been on weekends! One day would be a wash out ,the next kinda nice! So it’s been kinda hard to plan a good weekend ride! Hope it holds out for this weekend! Planning a trip down to lake Norman,Mooresville,N.C.! Going to visit my sister and do some gem mining up around black mountain ! Should be about a 6 hr ride from here, Chesapeake,Virginia! So checking everything on bike ,probably do valve and timing chain adjustment if needed! This will also help break my new tires in! If anybody is riding this holiday weekend, ride safe and alert,and have a HHHOOOWWWLLLIIINNNGGGG awsome time!
 
Not sure what thread to put this in- “Just ride” seems to have taken over all the casual talk. I just learned something through a blunder- I adjusted my brake lever last night, and apparantly made it too tight. So about an hour ago I take off down the interstate to donate plasma. I’m accelerating off the ramp, and the bike starts slowing down. I can’t figure out why, but decide to pull off the next ramp. Am I out of gas? No; the front brake is locked up. Apparently the fluid warmed up, and by the time I had been on the road a few minutes, it completely clamped the caliper shut. It looks like the caliper actually JUST started rubbing the disc. As I’m texting my neighbors to run me a screwdriver while halfway up the off ramp, a guy pulls over and asks if I need help. He has a folding multi tool in his pocket. Helps me re-adjust the lever and all is good! Got his number- I asked if he rides, and he said he’s got a 70’s honda. Hopefully found a new riding buddy!
 
No; the front brake is locked up. Apparently the fluid warmed up,
If any moisture or air were present in the caliper the heat could have easily expand either of those and contributed to the brake being applied.
It may be a good idea to bleed the caliper with clean new brake fluid.
:bike:
 
:thumbsup: the original Sumitomo Yamaha pads are great ! EBC sintered metal pads are on the shelf at shops. DO NOT fall for those , Yuck :thumbsdown: Lol
 
Spent almost an hour fitting a new sidestand spring. Felt pretty stupid when I finally tried with the stand fully up........Somehow I thought the tension in the fully down position was the same. Also tried comparing the angle of OEM BS38 intake rubbers with aftermarket (JBM?) BS34 rubbers. Not as easyas you would think, that....
 
Spent almost an hour fitting a new sidestand spring. Felt pretty stupid when I finally tried with the stand fully up........Somehow I thought the tension in the fully down position was the same. Also tried comparing the angle of OEM BS38 intake rubbers with aftermarket (JBM?) BS34 rubbers. Not as easyas you would think, that....
When I re installed my sidestand after repaint, I found the easiest way to install the spring was to hook the spring around the stud on the locating washer, and start screwing it in, then crank the little locator washer to it’s proper orientation and just keep tightening.
 
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When I re installed my sidestand after repaint, I found the easiest way to install the spring was to hook the spring around the stud on the locating washer, and start screwing it in, then crank the little locator washer to it’s proper orientation and just keep tightening.
What I found was the easiest way to install a centre-stand spring was to do it first and then align one pivot with a tapered rod, reef the other pivot into
alignment, install it's pivot pin and then remove the tapered rod to install the second pivot pin.
Perhaps installing the side-stand spring first would work too?
 
Centre stand is easy, if you remove the LH side muffler (or any other thing limiting the stand travel upwards) then the spring can be hooked in with hardly any tension. Then put the bike om the stand, and re-fit the muffler and/or other stand stopper. Having MikesXS type "commando mufflers", I had to use a steel strap,bent 90 degrees at the bottom, with a 10mm hole for a stock rubber stopper/snubber.
Anyway, now both stands have new springs, and rubber stoppers keeping them away from the pipes.

And I even did a 500 meter test ride once that was done :) All seems to work fine, apart from running a little lean. Maybe caused by a 5 degree air temperature, despite sunshine and clear skies.
Finishing the wiring is next! Tomorrow morning!
 
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