What have you done to your XS today?

Just took her down the interstate a lap for a shake down. Feels SO good! Started right up on the third kick with choke, warmed right up and choke off after about a minute. It was 50 here today. The bike feels a lot faster, probably because of the response from the handlebars now that the steering bearings are tight. Also, I love these new tires. No weaving around on the grated road surfaces, which unfortunately are abundant around here. All it took was 30 minutes to get me chompin at the bit. I am ready for spring!!!
 
Well, I finally got a break from work and went to the CVMG Sunday breakfast at 8:45 AM and then I came home and put Lucille’s beautifully polished RH engine case cover and tappet covers on.

There is a bit of a story here.... The sect’y-treasurer of our CVMG Chapter asked me to write that little article on XS650s (...and thanks for the corrections guys - I want this to be correct) and in that process, he wanted to come over and see the DCW. When he saw that I was trying to prep three bikes for the big Paris Rally in June, he said, “can I help you - maybe I could do some polishing.... Needless to say,I was all over that like a cheap suit and so he went off with the four tappet covers and a week later brought them back all nicely shined up. Then he took the RH engine case cover (that is why Lucille was leaned over so far) and later this week, he will do the LH cover. The results are below.
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While I was down on the floor, I finally installed the little Yamaha emblem on the front brake calliper (I’ve only had it for four years...).
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I also starting polishing the rear wheel hub of Demi which I hope to finish tomorrow or Tuesday. Then I can install the new wheel bearings and seals and spoke-up the 48 spoke 18” rim that I bought for her several years ago.

Bit by bit...

Pete
 
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I sure hope that he would. Every time I walk past Betty (his old ‘78E) on my hoist, I think about Robin. She’s sure going to look pretty with that snazzy new emerald green paint job that is coming from the “Show-Me” state and the nice shiny muffler from Wisconsin.

Other than those things and the usual engine tune-up items, all I need to do is get a new set of tires and tubes (which I already have on-hand) mounted and she will be ready for Paris.

Here is a photo of he (right) and I just after we took Lucille’s engine out in the summer of 2018 - about 3 months before he passed away.

Pete

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Not really she was making Sunday roast dinner and I had to use her as backstop as I came down the ramp into the kitchen
Through the house is one thing, through her kitchen is quit another, especially when she is cooking. You do live dangerously!
 
Both cylinders get about the same... does this mean I need to rebuild ‍♂️
 

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If you tested them "dry", try giving each cylinder a couple squirts of oil and re-test. You should be in the 130-140# range if all is good. If that's "wet", it's a little low, and you're looking at an overhaul.
 
If you tested them "dry", try giving each cylinder a couple squirts of oil and re-test. You should be in the 130-140# range if all is good. If that's "wet", it's a little low, and you're looking at an overhaul.

this was after I had the bike running for a few minutes
 
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