Can someone tell me more about the hammerhead shocks? Never saw those before.
Thx for the info. Cool looking pieces. They’d even be nice just to hang in the wall to look at.Well no expert but I'll take a stab; they were Japanese made, Redwing,
found on the web
"These shocks were produced during the 70's in Japan by a sub-brand of Kayaba mainly for flat-track and off-road use. Featuring one spring or two springs with different dampening ratios and they owe their name to the beautiful finned aluminum oil reservoir at the bottom makin' them looking like hammers."
For a while there were quite a few NOS sets being sold, that was 5-10 years ago,
https://www.ebay.com/i/303710960201?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=2&asc=20160908110712&meid=896116a011ff42068ab0a8b24e64f71d&pid=100677&rk=7&rkt=30&mehot=none&sd=184291658691&itm=303710960201&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2386202&algv=DefaultOrganic&brand=Red+Wing Pull out yer money gun!
The "head" is pretty big so there are some issues with fitment on the chain side. I have a set, but so far haven't fought the fight sufficiently to have them mounted on an XS. One of mine has a "non fatal" groove worn in the back from having been on an XS650 (when I bought it/them). It's a cool attention drawing look, perfect for a period cafe racer theme.
Similar to the old finned reservoir Marzocchi shocks.
I see what Gary mentioned about clearance with the chain. Very nice. ThxIt was made by Wes at Counter Balance cycles. He does very fine work. I had one of his other thin seats previous to this one that kicked up in the back. Ultimately it wasn’t the look I was after, so I sold it and ordered a new one from Wes with the request to build up the foam more for a flat seat. I can get some more detailed pics if you like.
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Harbor Freight, not my usual shopping trip destination, turned up a nice surprise while searching for a taller jack to do some Ford F150 suspension work.
Found this compact rolling scissor screw transmission jack. Not only did it work well for the truck.. Its going to get a modified top plate to become a XS650 jack/stand ! This is will sure help the 78E get its rear suspension and wheels back on one of these wintery days. I think a guy could secure an XS on this and have the ability to roll or turn it a bit too.
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Lack of Muffler options.. It is really a concern.
Thuban this set of, I was told Triumph but I bet Harley Bubs mufflers were "custom fitted " pretty well actually using Dole Pineapple cans lol. The little ones in the mixer aisle at the liquor store along with some kind of asbestos like gasket sheet.
I dont drink any longer so my own home imaginative solutions aren't quite as frequent. But I'd do this again if I ever found Bubs mufflers for sale at the bar again.. Oh ya, I don't go to bars anymore either ..
How do those mufflers sound? Are they much louder than stock? They look great!
Its All very Goood. No worries ThubanBut I hate your post! Makes me feel like I want to laugh and holler, "Good Job" and cry for ya all at the sale time!
Its All very Goood. No worries Thuban
Mailman the Bubs were So cool I didn't even realize what a rare score they were. I re packed them with FMF muffler fiberglass and they were still loud but.. they had a very deep rumbley tone that was right ! Didn't have the tinney plain Chinese sound.
It was made by Wes at Counter Balance cycles. He does very fine work. I had one of his other thin seats previous to this one that kicked up in the back. Ultimately it wasn’t the look I was after, so I sold it and ordered a new one from Wes with the request to build up the foam more for a flat seat. I can get some more detailed pics if you like.
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