Jim's 1980 SG Miss September

I've got about 225-250 miles on her now. You can't tell it from the speedo... which works whenever it feels like it. I've got 3 or 4 down in the basement... so one of these days I'll clean one up and replace it. For now I'm just using my phone.

So anyway.....I went ahead and looked everything over. One of the exhaust valves had loosened up a thou or two. Readjusted. The cam chain loosened up a lot.... like 3-4MM. Readjusted. Everything else is just where I want it. Oil still looks brand new... no sparkles, so I'll prolly go to 500 mi. before I change it. Still debating on the coil and fwd. pegs.
On Bob's recommendation, I ordered the Givi A-603 Windshield from Revzilla last week. It arrived today... so I installed it. Rode behind it for about an hour and it's pretty much how Bob described it in his Givi Review. I'm more than happy with it.
Decided it was time for a good wash and some photo's....

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Jim,
That is a very nice machine....more power to you...

If you ever you come across the pond look me up, as I would love to learn from the Master.

GeeDub
 
I've got about 225-250 miles on her now. You can't tell it from the speedo... which works whenever it feels like it. I've got 3 or 4 down in the basement... so one of these days I'll clean one up and replace it. For now I'm just using my phone.

So anyway.....I went ahead and looked everything over. One of the exhaust valves had loosened up a thou or two. Readjusted. The cam chain loosened up a lot.... like 3-4MM. Readjusted. Everything else is just where I want it. Oil still looks brand new... no sparkles, so I'll prolly go to 500 mi. before I change it. Still debating on the coil and fwd. pegs.
On Bob's recommendation, I ordered the Givi A-603 Windshield from Revzilla last week. It arrived today... so I installed it. Rode behind it for about an hour and it's pretty much how Bob described it in his Givi Review. I'm more than happy with it.
Decided it was time for a good wash and some photo's....

View attachment 144732

View attachment 144733

View attachment 144734

View attachment 144735

View attachment 144736

View attachment 144737

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Hi Jim,
just about perfect, eh?
Me, I'd swap out the rototiller 'bars for a 'bar that's ergonomically better but perhaps (like Marty) they fit you?
Suggest you look at drilling the brake disks and if it's not already been done, swapping in a smaller piston front lever and stainless brake hoses.
 
, I'd swap out the rototiller 'bars for a 'bar that's ergonomically better but perhaps (like Marty) they fit you?
Boy... If I had a nickel for Everytime a set of buckhorns got bad-mouthed here... I could finish the speed twin wannabe...and enough left over to fill the tank. For me and this bike, they're exactly what I want... but thanks for askin. :rolleyes:
 
Actually... gathering up the bits to do the dual disk on the front. Maybe this winter....?
 
I've been running dual front discs for years. Undrilled. I'll admit it, for the looks. Does it stop faster? I don't know. Still using the factory M/C.
 
I've been running dual front discs for years. Undrilled. I'll admit it, for the looks. Does it stop faster? I don't know. Still using the factory M/C.

Drilling discs is largely about improving wet weather performance.

....but what would a guy who live in ARIZona know about wet weather....? :lmao:
 
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I recently added a drilled disc to my '83 and it did improve the braking a little bit. I never knew if it would before because I never rode my '78 without a drilled disc.
 
I was actually thinking of a single sided swing arm and a Ducati front end for my XS2. :p
Now that would be interesting to follow you doing it. I've got a spare titled XS2 frame. Hate to see it hacked up. But I could make an exception for you. That build could hit a 1000 pages.:D
 
Double Disc it ? Looks So good. Works great with the stock master cylinder. And it Looks So good
:lmao:

Hi Machine,
"looks" is in the eye of the beholder but double disking will significantly improve the brakes' "feel" and effectivity.
If it's done right.
Stock M/C, stainless wire braid hoses & drilled disks. Upgrade to XS11 slotted disks if you can find them.
Drawbacks:-
1) I have found that XS650 dual disks are a right swine to bleed.
2) The second disk & caliper will add to the bike's unsprung weight
(which normal street riders won't notice & sidecar operators won't care about)
 
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Hi Machine,
"looks" is in the eye of the beholder but double disking will significantly improve the brakes' "feel" and effectivity.
If it's done right.
Agree with it all . I like the easy SR500 left side find. 5mm rotors are also a great idea ? I hope..
As for looks over function ?
This guy understands :D
 
Boy... If I had a nickel for Everytime a set of buckhorns got bad-mouthed here... I could finish the speed twin wannabe...and enough left over to fill the tank. For me and this bike, they're exactly what I want... but thanks for askin. :rolleyes:

Hi Jim,
If you find the buckhorns ride nice, you are not alone. This list even has an informal "Buckhorn Gang".
Not me though. Unto the second generation.
While taking the 1986 pre-purchase test ride on my NOS '84 XS650 Heritage Special I thought:-
" I love this bike but these expletive deleted 'bars just gotta go!"
A decade or so later I bought a low mileage '80 Special on my son's behalf.
The bike still had it's original Yokohama tires and buckhorn 'bars.
Did a terror-tour home in the rain on those hard-as-wood tires, like riding on sheet ice.
Told my son how much he owed me and alas, that the tires had gotta go.
"Why?They look great."
"Try a ride round the block"
" These tires gotta go! And these expletive deleted 'bars, too!"
 
Drilling discs is largely about improving wet weather performance.

....but what would a guy who live in ARIZona know about wet weather....? :lmao:

Oh I grant you that it doesn't happen very often but, it does rain in AZ. I've been caught in a few downpours. One time I got caught so bad I couldn't have gotten wetter in the shower. Another time I got caught, I might have had been able to see about 10ft ahead of me. It was a whiteout of rain.
 
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