THIS WAS A GOOD DAY.......
Not so much because I accomplished a lot, I didn’t really , but because today just made me happy.
I got to install a couple items that have a lot of meaning to me, not really for what they are but what they represent.
Everywhere I turn on this bike I will see reminders of the friendships I’ve made here and the generosity of the members of this forum.
So let’s get right to it. I started out with a simple task. Install my Grand Tourismo knock off handgrips. I had the real deal on my bike back in the seventies and also it’s what was on this bike when I bought it. I kinda have mixed feelings about these new grips. The real ones have a sort of slick almost plastic feel to them. The new ones are made by Emgo and are a very soft and rather squishy rubber. They will probably do a great job of damping vibes, but the jury is still out on them. Psssst......don’t tell my wife I snuck into her cabinet and stole her hairspray. It’s my adhesive of choice.
So grips are on and my freshly repainted clutch lever perch is on
Which brings me to my first highlight of the day. My little left handlebar switch. Boy oh boy what a sorry mess this was when I first got my bike. I honestly thought it was beyond being salvaged.
It was broken, missing internal parts, full of gunk and completely inoperable.
In fact I ordered a knock off left hand switch that was designed for early Yamaha enduros. It looked right but had a lot more wires than my switch and the switches worked differently and all the wire colors were different. I’m not great with wiring and it had smoke coming out of my ears so I figured I’d take a shot at refurbishing this one.
BIG SHOUT OUT TO KEN HANSEN AND DANIEL BLACK!!!
They really came through for me. Ken had the unobtainium sliding switch and other internal parts, and Daniel supplied me with an entire switch from a later model 650 which I robbed springs and tiny ball bearings from. After much cleaning and scrounging and lubricating and piecing together and literally weeks of time. I cobbled together the switch you see here. Genuine XS2! Thanks guys, you rock!
Now mind you, I will probably never ever use the headlight high -low switch because it is a poor design and the post that the sliding button is mounted to is WAY too fragile. It was a common failure on these bikes. I found that out when I was shopping for used switches on eBay.
Now on to something that I’m
REALLY EXCITED ABOUT!!
Notice anything different?
Look what I’ve been squirreling away for months now!
I have been salivating over this ever since I first read 2M’s post about making them. Here,
http://www.xs650.com/threads/custom-aluminum-steering-damper-for-70-73-xs1-xs1b-xs2-tx650.45956/
As soon as I bought my XS2 I knew I wanted me some of that eye candy. I contacted Steve and we worked something out, he got my first born grandchild and I got
MY PRECIOUS! Haha!
I spent a lot of time screwing around with it, trying out different finishes on it. I tried to do a brushed satin finish which I actually thought looked pretty good, then I clear coated it and for whatever reason the clear lifted.
So I fell back to what I know. 1500 grit wet sand and blue magic then buffed. I love it.
I was going to wait until the final reveal on the finished bike, but I was like a kid at Christmas and it had to go on!
I have huge respect for Steve and having one of his prizes means a whole bunch to me!
THANK YOU STEVE!
Until next time,
Just call me 3M