What have you done to your XS today?

peanut · Apr 30, 2018

YamadudeXS650C said:
"but with a VERY comfortable seat"

Nighthog,
I believe you are the first to express agreement with me that this model seat is comfy. I can ride mine an hour longer than my other XS's without stopping to rest the butt.
Here is my '83.

View attachment 117709

yep I agree . My stepped seat really is comfortable and supportive for my lower back but I hate the look of it when i stand back and look at the bike.

I have a standard seat to put on the bike but I keep putting it off. I suppose I could strap a seat bag on the passenger seat which would achieve the same back support . I might try fit the flat seat this W/E and try it out.

YamadudeXS650C · Apr 30, 2018

peanut said:
My stepped seat really is comfortable and supportive for my lower back but I hate the look of it

There are many forms that Beauty can take.
Beauty often emerges from artful design, of which opinion varies to a great degree.

Beauty in Art ?

Architectural Beauty ?

Beauty in Mechanical design ?

...but then, the fact that a particular seat has functional beauty (it fits our ass real good), begs our appreciation.

.
.

peanut · May 1, 2018

YamadudeXS650C said:
There are many forms that Beauty can take.

Architectural Beauty ?
View attachment 117725

...but then, the fact that a particular seat has functional beauty (it fits our ass real good), begs our appreciation.
.
.

I do appreciate the comfort I really do

but the seat offends my eye , It doesn't even seem to fit with the late 70s XS650 Special ethos of laid back cruiser/chopper style to me

Funny you should mention Architecture as I am cursed more than blessed with being an Architect (rtrd)
I instinctively assess everything in terms of form and function, balance , flow, utility etc. When I look at something it just seems 'right' to me or not right
For me some things are just 'butt ugly '

and I cannot even abide them being around or in view.

Its a curse to be so exacting and obsessive about everything believe me I sometimes wish I was a Hippy again seeing everything through a haze of waccy baccy

YamadudeXS650C · May 1, 2018

peanut said:
Its a curse to be so exacting and obsessive about everything believe me I sometimes wish I was a Hippy again

Ah, yes, state of mind or psychological mindset has much to with determining that which we appreciate.
I see that you have been retired since at least 2013; perhaps a few more years of this relaxation, some regular excursions into in the woods,

walks on the beach,

and a bit of meditation...

might do the trick.
.
.

peanut · May 1, 2018

yes meditation ..literally a lifesaver from the constant bombardment of demands on our time and resources and the accompanying stress.

My favourite past time to unwind and destress is going for a hack on my xs650 and Lambretta LiS150 around the leafy country lanes where I live . I leave the humdrum and stress of everyday life far behind me and my mind empties of all the noise .
I go to sleep thinking about my next ride and I wake up thinking about it.

i wish that I'd had the sense to have left the rat race when I was younger and lived off grid, happy and content like a pig in sh*t :bike:

YamadudeXS650C · May 1, 2018

peanut said:
I go to sleep thinking about my next ride and I wake up thinking about it.

This is just what I often tell people when they ask, "So, what is your life like, now that you are retired?

ThatXS650Guy · May 1, 2018

YamadudeXS650C said:
This is just what I often tell people when they ask, "So, what is your life like, now that you are retired?

I tell them every day is Saturday.

kawabunga · May 1, 2018

peanut said:
yesterday I was making 2x good sets of carbs out of 3 sets and thought I'd take a piccy but its not as good as yours View attachment 117595

Not as good?? That’s beautiful! I approve

kawabunga · May 1, 2018

Rebuilt the forks. I still don't think I have OCD, just like to be organized.

jolo9534 · May 1, 2018

i made a rough draft of a bracket im going to use to run the clutch cable to the left foot control. going to go with a jockey shift set up.

geedubya · May 2, 2018

ThatXS650Guy said:
I tell them every day is Saturday.

i tell them that I have six Saturdays and one Sunday every week, see them look p*ssed off.

TwoManyXS1Bs · May 2, 2018

More clanking about out in the barn...

It's Paul Sutton's fault...

http://www.xs650.com/threads/my-top-tip-today-is.50049/page-3#post-546256

Paul Sutton · May 2, 2018

Thank you TM. I once got kicked out of Cubs - The reason being "Paul tends to create mischief". By the way TM, I am thinking of making a compression tester based around a dismantled spark plug.

TwoManyXS1Bs · May 2, 2018

Paul Sutton said:
...thinking of making a compression tester based around a dismantled spark plug.

Cool, Paul. Are you thinkin' on going full-tilt boogie and making something like this Snap-on kit? (You'll need the pressure hold/release valve)

Which would allow you to add-on a leakdown kit?

Paul Sutton · May 2, 2018

TM, I am only thinking basic compression kit. I have checked on Ebay and kits seem very low in price, so is it worth it?? It is if I can get hold of a very cheap or free gauge. The pressure hold/release valve has been bouncing about my head for a while and will probably copy the one on my tyre gauge. My other idea is to fit a ball valve to an old fire extinguisher so I can pump it up for blowing tyres on.

SAFU · May 3, 2018

spark plug temperature gauge & brass peanuts

TwoManyXS1Bs · May 3, 2018

Paul, watch out for some of those cheapo pressure gauges with the "pressure hold" feature. Some don't actually hold pressure, they have something that holds the needle instead. Usually detected by looking at the release button, which goes into the dial case, instead of the pressure line.

Paul Sutton said:
...My other idea is to fit a ball valve to an old fire extinguisher so I can pump it up for blowing tyres on.

I used a "freon air tank conversion kit", still available.

SAFU said:
spark plug temperature gauge & brass peanuts

Cool! Would like to hear more, and reported temps you're getting.

Dunno about the "brass peanuts", tho'

Surfrat28 · May 7, 2018

Hey guys finishing up my custom 79 xs650!

-Finished painting my frame, fender, and tank.
- Installed my new springer front end.
- Made spacers for the springer.
- Getting ready to ride it to BF10!

figure8 · May 7, 2018

Haven’t shared much of this build, fab work near done and blasted the frame today. Now to piece together again.

figure8 · May 8, 2018

And assembled, gonna swap for different bars but you get the overall look.

What have you done to your XS today?

XS650 enthusiast & inveterate tinkerer

Central New York XS650

XS650 enthusiast & inveterate tinkerer

Central New York XS650

XS650 enthusiast & inveterate tinkerer

Central New York XS650

More Sparky than Speed Racer

XS650 Addict

XS650 Addict

XS650 Enthusiast

Attachments

geedubya

BBQ Hunter

I Collect Fingers

BBQ Hunter

I Collect Fingers

XS650 Enthusiast

Attachments

BBQ Hunter

XS650 Enthusiast

XS650 Guru

XS650 Guru

Similar threads