What have you done to your XS today?

Tz you should be setting the drive nut torque around 80 to 90 ft/lbs. You risk of doing some fair amount of damage if that nut gets loose on ya and do a number on those threads. 36mm 6 point socket is my suggestion. ***edited*** same size as on my Roadstar sorry.
 
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22mm? My largest bit is 27mm and this nut is probably more like 38mm or bigger. I have a huge 32 mm wrench that was at least a few sizes too small.
 
I don’t know why I put this off so long, but I finally changed my front fork oil. After taking the entire front end apart last week, just slipping the forks out didn't seem too intimidating. I bought a 17 mm bit off amazon for $8.00. I was surprised at the amount of old oil that came out of the forks. I filled them each with 6 1/2 ounces of oil. After
Putting it all back together, I was AMAZED at the difference. My front end used to dive basically
All the way down when I stopped. Now I can grab the brake and the bike barely shifts at all, it just STOPS. Can’t wait to road test it and feel the difference in the actual ride. PS- My 36 mm 6 point socket will arrive tomorrow. Thanks again Amazon. All the local parts places wanted 20.00. Amazon had it for 9.00. Can’t beat half the price. I’ve gotta add this- I can’t imagine owning an old bike like this WITHOUT amazon and the forum and internet. Well, I CAN imagine it, I just don’t think I’d be enjoying the experience. ;)
 
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I took the bike to work this morning (80 today!) and the front wheel wobble is back. I am so frustrated. How could the wheel warp so much so quickly? It was fine all year, and then a couple weeks ago I just noticed it. I suppose I might try truing it on the bike/in the forks.
 
Tiz..........Did you do a visual check on a bulge???.....Seems you dismissed that idea without an inspection.............Have you checked the front wheel bearings???.......do a similar thing as you did for the forks........need to stabilize the forks and see if the wheel has any play
 
I did look the tire over but did not notice any obvious bulge. I suppose I havent checked the wheel bearings yet. I tried checking the spokes and tightened a few after work, then took it up to the next exit, and I think I just made it worse. The bike may just have to retire for the season. Maybe over the winter I can place a big order from All Balls and give the wheels and steering neck a makeover. At least if I take the wheels apart to be re trued I can take the time to polish them up real good.
 
I did look the tire over but did not notice any obvious bulge. I suppose I havent checked the wheel bearings yet. I tried checking the spokes and tightened a few after work, then took it up to the next exit, and I think I just made it worse. The bike may just have to retire for the season. Maybe over the winter I can place a big order from All Balls and give the wheels and steering neck a makeover. At least if I take the wheels apart to be re trued I can take the time to polish them up real good.

I had no noticeable bulge either, but noticed the tire bead wasn't even, which caused a wobble. Inspect both sides of the tire closely and make sure the bead is even all the way around. Good luck.

UM
 
And bad tires exist, bought a project bike with a front shake, wheel had 4 oz of weights, pulled them rebalanced, still shook, got a new tire, problem solved.
 
Unhooked the speedometer. :D

See, it broke. Two days ago it started bouncing around randomly, and made a buzzing noise; then it pegged out at 85 MPH for a while (4,500 RPM in 5th gear is NOT that fast), and then the needle broke off and the hub started spinning like a pinwheel. But I rode it yesterday, since I knew I could keep it under the speed limit without the speedo... but about halfway to my destination, I noticed the numbers were getting hard to read.

Smoke under the lens. Oops. So I removed the speedo cable.

Got a guy sending me a replacement, and the XS is benched until then.
 
I use the trip meter for a gas guage too. I think most riders do on older bikes with no meter to show fuel level! With the Special tank about 125 to maybe 140 miles mine will hit reserve. A lot sooner when ridden in town a lot......................Today I got my freshly rebuilt master cylinder back on and brakes bled with a new Russell braided front brake hose. Just came in house for a meal and about to put tank back on and probably test ride for an hour or 2 unless an issue shows up!
 
Just got the official word that our local Gentlemens Ride that was postponed from last Sunday to THIS Sunday has been cancelled. I’m pretty dissapointed, but at least I won’t be missing it due to my front wheel issues.
 
Warmed up my bike enough to change the oil. Was 9 deg C here in Moncton NB. Eased it in its final resting spot for the winter and added a blanky! Lol I have my Roadstar for cooler riding until November or so. Went thru a few problems after the rebuild as it was sitting for a few years. Wanted to reach 1000 kms on it but only got up to 724 :( There will be next year!!!
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I like those PVC pipe tool handle holders...

There are some at the bottom too. I had to do something to organize the garage. Was a 2 weekend reorganizing last fall but really paid off. No need to build a storage shed had all the room in my 16'x22' garage with 10' ceilings. All fits nicely in there and even our Jeep Wrangler during winter months.
 
Well it finally happened at age 38.75 yrs.The bike's age, not mine. The dreaded centerstand tang crack. I thought it didn't feel right putting it on centerstand last week. Looked down today when it refused to go up on stand on the final rearward push. Nuts. Oh well. Gives me some thing to do today, I guess...
 
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