Bob, been catching up on your recent posts on this thread - just love the cleanliness and meticulous attention to detail. Your approach surely an inspiration but I know I will never achieve such a level of work.
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The ergonomic experiment
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Thanks for the kind words guys. I appreciate it. 
Wow, just read this entire thread after clicking on the link you provided in the “what did you do today” thread. I am flattered that you were inspired by my “super clean” bike! I am also SUPER envious of your immaculate bike! Holy crap is that thing clean! After reading the entire thread, I actually learned a bit and a few things I want to point out-
1. Your initial idea to go with a crash bar and foot pegs like mine would probably get you the comfortable leg position you want- I am 5’9”, and the footpegs are in the perfect position for me to stretch my legs out. I even use them in town. If you’re still going for max comfort, I strongly recommend going this route.
2. After having the TC bros “Lanesplitters” that some folks didn't like, and then the buckhorns, and now lower EMGO “Superbike” bars, I do have to agree that the lower bars seem to take strain off the low back. I’m only 36, but I’ve had back problems for going on about 7 years now, and though the buckhorns were comfortable for my upper body, I do think it strained my lower back.
3. I installed that same x-ring chain last fall when I rebuilt My rear wheel, and it was very sticky as well.
4. I’ve been using Bel-ray chain wax in a small spray can with a little straw. Silver and blue can. It doesn't sling off and is nice and tacky. It goes on white so you can see where you sprayed it.
5. I also replaced my rear sprocket with a 32 tooth, but I have seen my top speed decrease. After reading your thread, I am more inclined to wonder if it isn't the sprocket but the extra 15-20 lbs I’ve put on since buying the bike!
1. Your initial idea to go with a crash bar and foot pegs like mine would probably get you the comfortable leg position you want- I am 5’9”, and the footpegs are in the perfect position for me to stretch my legs out. I even use them in town. If you’re still going for max comfort, I strongly recommend going this route.
2. After having the TC bros “Lanesplitters” that some folks didn't like, and then the buckhorns, and now lower EMGO “Superbike” bars, I do have to agree that the lower bars seem to take strain off the low back. I’m only 36, but I’ve had back problems for going on about 7 years now, and though the buckhorns were comfortable for my upper body, I do think it strained my lower back.
3. I installed that same x-ring chain last fall when I rebuilt My rear wheel, and it was very sticky as well.
4. I’ve been using Bel-ray chain wax in a small spray can with a little straw. Silver and blue can. It doesn't sling off and is nice and tacky. It goes on white so you can see where you sprayed it.
5. I also replaced my rear sprocket with a 32 tooth, but I have seen my top speed decrease. After reading your thread, I am more inclined to wonder if it isn't the sprocket but the extra 15-20 lbs I’ve put on since buying the bike!
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Hey TZ! Thanks for the feed back, I appreciate it. I have to say I’m starting to get used to the highway pegs, I’ve had the bike out for a long ride since that article was written and it’s getting easier to use.
How are you feeling buddy? You doing ok?
I forgot to mention that I really like the look of the highway pegs! I’m honestly feeling a lot better today; been loaded up on 4 hr doses of 1000 mg tylenol and antibiotics. My sister and a friend cautioned me that a lot of people are reporting feeling better and then getting worse, the symptoms can wax and wane, so I’m not gettin cocky just yet. Thanks for asking.
Yeah, don’t get too carried away working on your bike just yet. Rest until you see how this thing goes. It’s no joke. Take care of yourself. 
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Champion makes spark plugs! LOL. The best I've found is Honda chain lube. At least that's what I prefer, and I don't have a chain guard! It dries in about 30 minutes.
The bike looks great! Ya know somethin? I never checked the clearance with my new O-ring chain.
Tiesco
XS650 Addict
After reading this a second time, you have convinced me to order a 31T sprocket.
Ha! It’s a personal choice for sure. It’s a little less snappy coming off of a dead stop, but once rolling , I think it actually gathers speed faster and the shift points are extended, but for me the biggest gain is reduced RPM at highway speeds and a smoother feeling motor at speed. I know I’m happy with it.
Tiesco
XS650 Addict
My friend has a 75 and I think he has the 31T sprocket because just based on how different first gear is between his and mine. His bike has such a longer first gear where as mine begs me to shift to second as soon as I take off. I'm an easy going, low rpm guy so I think I'll enjoy this minor mod.
Norton7d
XS650 Junkie
Mailman, can you please ecplain what the piece of Deltron was intended for, and did you install it?
Because I also didnt like my new chain rubbing on my freshly painted swingarm, i mounted a piece of hard rubber on the top of the swingarm, coming off of the front chain guard bolt.
It allows the chain to not touch the swinger at time of rest or when doing chain maintenance.
Because I also didnt like my new chain rubbing on my freshly painted swingarm, i mounted a piece of hard rubber on the top of the swingarm, coming off of the front chain guard bolt.
It allows the chain to not touch the swinger at time of rest or when doing chain maintenance.
"adding a washer under the guard mount" not sure what your talking about there or whereWell crap! I didn’t get my ride in today. Today was spent chasing my tail, I said yesterday I sprayed chain lube on my new chain, I wiped off the excess and let it set up for a couple hours and then took it out for about a ten mile shake down run. That chain lube was the worse stuff I’ve ever used! I threw the whole can right in the trash!
View attachment 161952
I’ve never used that brand before, I picked it up at Walmart and it was inexpensive. I went out in my garage this morning to check things over after my little test ride and that crap flew off and went everywhere! It was all over my freshly painted swingarm, the freshly polished rear wheel and spokes, the sidewall of the tire and have a look under the left side cover!
View attachment 161953 View attachment 161954 View attachment 161955
I swear it looked like more that I had even sprayed on! And that crap was sticky, apparently sticking to everything
BUT the chain! It took me a long time to clean all that stuff up.
Then I messed with my shift shaft guard. Greg has offered to send my one of those poly razzmatazz synthetic guards which I’m gonna try, but in the meantime I tried Randy’s suggestion of adding a washer under the guard mount, it didn’t put any pressure on the guard, it just rotated it a little lower. Not perfect but better! This pic was before that little mod,
View attachment 161956
So cover went back on, and pegs and shifter, then I installed my windshield. And my little lightweight tourer is ready for a trial run.
View attachment 161957 View attachment 161959 View attachment 161958
These photos are for Greg and Pete, who like to make fun of my little tape boxes
View attachment 161960
With the cars in and two bikes, it’s a game of inches! Haha!
View attachment 161961
I’ll follow up after a better test run, I’ll get a little distance in next time.
Later, Bob
I also bought the larger x ring chain and any little bit more of clearance would be nice
I gotta give that a try I take a thin one as Jim suggestedAdd a washer to the rear guard mount (arrow on the right) to shim it down a little lower .....
..... and you actually put the washer on top of the guard, not under it as he stated.
Ok guys, a little late here, I’ve been catching up on my honey do’s.
Let me get this outa the way first. This is a prototype and a work in progress.
This was sent to me by forum member GLJ ( Greg ) , for testing purposes and does not represent a final design. I also want to mention that Greg was following a design he saw on one of Signals posts.
The problem started with my new X-Ring chain, it’s much wider and the links are also taller than the non X-Ring chain I was running. This larger chain was beginning to saw into my shift shaft guard.
The guard that Greg turned on his lathe feels like hard nylon plastic and just slips over the shift shaft. It easily spins on the shaft and clears the chain, it feels very durable and the design shape automatically centers the chain.
Since this design was made to slide right up to the case and occupies the space where the wiring loom was tucked into , this requires the wiring loom be relocated lower, with a clamp that Greg also sent me.
The wiring was pulled tight to the rear motor mount with two zip ties.
I like the simplicity of the design and it feels like it will be very durable, but I was uncomfortable with how close my wiring was to the chain, this chain is a full 5mm wider than my previous chain and the clearance is tight.
I have since returned to the factory guide and I have it shimmed just a little to rotate the part that was rubbing away from the chain.
Greg is still fine tuning the design with a goal of keeping the wiring in the stock location and I think it is very worth pursuing. He would like to have it be a simple slip on design that would require no further modifications, and I think that is an obtainable goal.
Tiesco
XS650 Addict
If I had the same material, I would give that a go on my lathe. Very cool design.
I should’ve mentioned that I did run that new guard for a couple hundred miles and the chain never touched it. I think it has definite possibilities.
The material is Delrin. I get it on E-Bay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DELRIN-ROD...173405?hash=item2d00379e9d:g:gTgAAOSwq1leCMO8
The first deign I made was based on a post from Signal.
I'm testing a new design that will allow leaving the alternator wiring in the normal position.
Greg, you ever tried turning nylon? here's a 2X6" chunk left over from who knows what I used it for years ago.
Tiesco
XS650 Addict
I'd imagine it's pretty pleasing to watch given how easily you can cut through it.
