Goodbye to a old friend.

Skip

Skip

XS 650 Screwturner
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I said a fond farewell to a old friend today.
I have sold my 1978 XS 650 Special which I have loving owned for almost 10 years.
My decision to sell stemed from 3 variables.
It certainly frees up a fair chunk of change.
The fact I had done everything necessary to that machine leaves a void for me being the guy who loves working on machinery.Riding is just not enough for me.
And finally,for the past year, I have been fighting lower back issues (3 ruptured discs) and riding a motorcycle is not a good idea for me now.
I have enjoyed my many hours of time spent on this site,the things I have learned,the odd bit of opinion or advice given and the friends I have made here amongs all of you.
I could not have restored my bike into the beautiful machine it turned out to be without all your help and encouragement.
Retiredgentleman,TeeCat,5twins,Grizld1,Travis,Barb and of course xsjohn (RIP) and everyone else on here,many many thanks.

Skip Gladwin
 
Well Skip, your health has to come first, that's for sure.

I know from your pictures of your bike, that you did a fine job of maintaining it.

Maybe its not goodbye; you may yet find another neglected bike and get back into the game.

Don't be a stranger; just because you don't have an XS650, doesn't mean you can't jump into the threads with the gang here.

Cheers
 
Hey RG,
I am not going far,I will always have a special connection here and will chime in from time to time. And yes I am sure there is a two wheel orphan out there somewhere with my name on it!
 
Hello Guys and Gals
This is a update on a 7+ old post...Life is full of peaks and valleys.
2 weeks ago I was looking on Kijiji like I always do,classic cars and motorcycles...and low and behold there is my 1978 650 Special that i owned and restored over a period of 10 years which I sold in Sept of 2011
The gentleman whom I sold it to had unfortunatiy passed away. His best friend was asked by his widow to look after selling the bike to a good home.
The photo of the bike showed the bike to be in the same condition and not one cosmetic change...It looked like the day I sold it.
I reached out to the gentleman looking after the sale,told him who I was and my connection to the bike.
I had always regretted the sale of that bike..and it was emotional to see it again since it moved 350 km away and i never thought I would never see it again .it was a rash and not well thought out move...so long story short, I have reunited with my old friend after 7+ years.
Turned out he loved the bike but rarely rode it...actually approximately 350 miles in 7 years.
The bike ran as good as ever...but from lack of use the clutch plates were stuck together.
Last Saturday we made the 700 km round trip and trucked it home.
So new friction and steel plates,flush front and rear brake systems,new oil and both filters,wash and wax and all is up and running as good as ever...feels right to have my ol friend in the garage once again...very emotional and the cool thing is his widow was tickled that I was going to own the bike again and that it was the home it deserved.
I have no intention of ever selling her again...and told my 15 year old daughter that it was part of her inheritance.
I look forward to rekindling friendship I had made here many years ago
 
Great story Skip, with a happy ending. Welcome back!
 
Thanks for sharing your story, and that of your great old bike Skip....and welcome back!

Pete
 
It's amazing how some things come together. I'm glad that you have been reunited with an old friend. Sometimes the few hundred dollars we get for selling a "treasure" is just not worth it. Good to see your old friend is home.
tim
 
gggGary said:
Downeaster, racerdave and a few others take note LOL Welcome back to the fold Skip. A great tale!
Click to expand...

Austin_Powers - YEAH_BABY.jpg
 
Skip said:
Hello Guys and Gals
This is a update on a 7+ old post...Life is full of peaks and valleys.
2 weeks ago I was looking on Kijiji like I always do,classic cars and motorcycles...and low and behold there is my 1978 650 Special that i owned and restored over a period of 10 years which I sold in Sept of 2011

I have no intention of ever selling her again...and told my 15 year old daughter that it was part of her inheritance.
I look forward to rekindling friendship I had made here many years ago
Click to expand...

thats a wonderful story Skip and I am very pleased for you.
I have also told my Missus that She will inherit my 79 XS650 and my 64 Lambretta LiS special .......... can't say that she looked particularly impressed lol ;)

I too have a back problem and the days that I can ride are far fewer than those I cannot.

i'll pass on a tip that has enabled me to continue riding which may be of use.
I have fitted a backrest on both my bike and scoot and I attach a large Army kitbag on the passenger seat. My 79 has the high bars allowing me to lean well back against the kitbag .........its like sitting in an armchair :) The kitbag is really useful .. allowing me to carry wet weather gear , tools, spare battery and shopping so its doubly useful.
 
Talk about luck! You must thrilled. Getting something so personal back.... I totally understand how you feel.

Years ago when I was young & stupid, I wrote off my bike & needed some money so I sold a bunch of my stuff including my leather riding jacket to a pawn shop.:( About 3 years later I take a look in that pawn shop and they have some jackets. I try one on and man, it fit so perfect, like it was moulded to me. I take in look in the pocket and sure enough there's a scrap of paper with my hand writing. It's my old jacket.... Needless to say I bought it back for 3 times what I sold it for but it was worth every penny. I was so happy, it was like catching up with an old friend... (I still have that jacket...;))
 
Last edited:
Wow, great looking ride.......
tim
 

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