Just dropped in....

Hi Guys,

Gee, it's only been three years.....where does it go? About the time I stopped posting was right around the time my husband, friend and partner of 13 years lost the fight with cancer. (Right about the time I blew the engine on my older and favorite XS---the '77"D".) She threw a rod while lugging a sidecar up over a mountain pass, keeping up with Harleys.....yes, it *could* be my fault.......

However, a friend got hold of an XS and of course I suggested this place, so I thought I'd better take my own advice and check in. And naturally, every time I see the "XS John" patch on my jacket I feel a little guilty for not checking in.

So......Hi, Everybody! Who is still around? I still have two XS's, and a spare engine, and various Brits and Beemers, so life is good in the Great Northwest, especially since here in NW Washington, we have had NO SNOW all winter!

Anyway, I'm still around and kicking.......when the electric start won't work. How's everyone doing?

Barb,I just knew you would be back on the site again. The addiction is too strong!

Your absence is very understandable with the loss of your husband. I hope you have been able to recover from that difficult time.

Always wondered where you went. Sorry to hear about your husband. And your 77.

What kind of damage did that rod do?

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Welcome back, Barb, from one of the new kids.
I've certainly enjoyed your posts from back then.

Barb said:

...we have had NO SNOW all winter!

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I wonder if that affects the clam harvest...

Ah, it's grand to see you back on! Don't be a stranger as your posts and perspective can't be replaced by anyone else.

Hi Guys,

Gee, thanks! Feels a bit like coming home after a long ride: sit on the bike with both feet on the ground, lean back against the luggage, shut off the engine, and just close your eyes, breathe deeply and relax.....I like that!

What damage did the rod do? Hoo-boy! I must say, when I set out to detonate an engine, I don't mess around! I camp and ride with a women's group (and I'll explain why if anyone is interested) and we were on the way home from Lake Wenatchee, just over the crest of the Cascade Range. The bike had been a bit noisy but with the mileage on the engine, this was (I thought) to be expected. Basically she sounded like a Triumph with loose valves....we started up the hill on Hwy 2, and the "big" bikes kept going, and so did I, but more slowly. I was becoming concerned about the rattle. We got to the crest of Steven's Pass, started down, and the rattle became the roar of battle, and I pulled over and shut her down.

You know how when something like this happens, you--just for a moment--can't quite believe it is happening? Yeah--that quickly passed and I coasted as far as she would go, coming down the western side of the mountains. One of my friends turned around and came back, and when she asked what was wrong, I touched the starter button and let it run for literally three seconds. It sounded horrible. So we got it to a house, I called my son and he headed south from home to come rescue me, we got the bike home (with the assistance of a couple of beers--well, a bike and sidecar is hard to get into a pick-up truck! I had to bribe him somehow!). I pulled the engine out and stripped it down, and Oh! My! Lord! .....the rod wouldn't turn on the crank throw at all, and the crank itself was all torn up and nasty. I didn't even *think* about rebuilding the crank. Happily, I had an extra crank/rod assembly, and so I put the spare engine in the bike, and began the long process of rebuilding the original engine. Then I found a BMW Airhead cheap (Like $500.00 cheap!) and there the Yam sat. And sat. And sat. She is my next project, however, and she is all set for her rebuild. The chair is coming off and she is going to be stock but most of all reliable. She will be the great "run-around" bike she always has been, and not a sidecar tug.

And the crankshaft is going on display out in my bike shed, next to a rod from a BSA B-44, and a BSA A65 piston with a hole the size of a dime on the crown. Fun and games in the shed......

So. "Did the rod do much damage"? Yeah, but mostly to itself.....and yes, it is still difficult for me to exercise brevity in postings.....sorry.

welcome back, babe.
I miss your adventures!

Another welcome back although you had gone on hiatus when I joined. I had read some of your posts from you from time to time doing research and wondered about the back story.

Hi Barb and welcome back, it's good to see another sidecarist on the list.
That's a Spirit Eagle sidecar in your avatar? The photo is too small for my elderly eyes to be sure what bike it's on.
I recognize the chair because it's the one my son has on his XS650 (and that he carried his wife away from their wedding in, white dress, bouquet and all.)

Heyde ho Barb! It's great hearing from you and thanks for the "ketchup". Hope you will stop by on a regular basis once again.

Sorry to hear about your husband's illness and passing.

Sometimes I think our old motorcycles serve as therapy, we CAN fix their illnesses and foibles. Get em back in shape, healthy and ready for more.

Hi Guys,

gggGary, it's so nice to be back! (Happy!) Fred, my rig is/was a Spirit of America chair originally mounted to a Harley (!) and then on my '77 "D". It's confusing because I have a '75 gas-tank on the '77.

On top of that, given the blow-up of the original engine, I currently have a '79 engine in the bike, while I rebuild the '77 engine.

Confused yet? I am......

Oh, and the chair is coming off the Yam and going on a 1980 R80/7 Beemer I found for $500.00, in several large pieces. It'll be a great sidecar tug, and will free up my favorite XS to be a neat little hot-rod.

And now I'm off to town to let the doctors poke and prod.....gotta stay healthy enough to work on bikes, and put a few miles on them now and then.......

Barb said:

Fred, my rig is/was a Spirit of America chair originally mounted to a Harley (!) and then on my '77 "D". It's confusing because I have a '75 gas-tank on the '77.
On top of that, given the blow-up of the original engine, I currently have a '79 engine in the bike, while I rebuild the '77 engine.
Confused yet? I am......
Oh, and the chair is coming off the Yam and going on a 1980 R80/7 Beemer I found for $500.00, in several large pieces. It'll be a great sidecar tug, and will free up my favorite XS to be a neat little hot-rod.
And now I'm off to town to let the doctors poke and prod.....gotta stay healthy enough to work on bikes, and put a few miles on them now and then.......

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Hi Barb,
remember "George of the Jungle"?
"George not know meaning of Confused.
George understand Bewildered."
But no, Fred understand that XS650 parts all swap around like LEGO.
Good luck with the Beemer rig. If you don't already know, be advised that
a Beemer later than a /2 will need a horkin' great subframe to strengthen
it's frame enough to haul a sidecar along.
And good luck at the Doctors office too.

Hi Fred,

Oh, if I could find a /2---I love those old "real" Beemers! But I've talked with a bunch of people, and heard everything from "basically rebuild the frame" to the attitude of Bob of "The Wark Shop" (sidecar guy) and he says that if the lean-out and toe-in is correct it doesn't need a sub-frame at all.

I'd be worried about that....I think a two-piece simple sub-frame will suffice, since it is a really light chair and mainly because I'm a Gramma and ride like one......no more flying the chair for me.....at least on purpose.

Anyway, it will be fun finding out! That's what really matters, right?

And yep! I actually *do* remember George of the Jungle. Riding a BSA in the dirt, I have more than once thought of the line, "Watch out for that tree!"

Barb said:

Hi Fred,
Oh, if I could find a /2---I love those old "real" Beemers! - - -

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Hi Barb,
it ain't finding a /2 that's hard, it's affording one at today's prices.
Back in 1959 I turned down the offer of basket case Vincent Black Shadow for £25.
Oh for a time machine and a telephone!
But I do know a guy who owns an ivory /2 & matching Steib sidecar rig in just about perfect shape and would sell if the price was right.
Alas that he knows every penny it's worth and then some.