The only thing I miss about working is the ability to scrounge stuff from job sites. I certainly don't miss the actual working part, and I definitely don't miss all the driving through rush hour traffic to get there and back home, lol. Now for scrounging, I just go driving around in the van on junk days. I'm mostly after scrap steel I can weld and make projects out of. Old bed frames are great and I've scored a few so far. As far as the "flat wallet" goes, mine's probably about the same as it's always been (not really fat but not too thin). But I planned for my retirement, started saving and investing probably a good 25 years ago, not a lot but steadily. It grew over the years and now is paying off. I stuck with one job long enough to earn a pension and that combined with Social Security pretty much pays all my bills. Sometimes there's even a bit left over at the end of the month. And dividends from my investments are just gravy on all that. Last year, dividends from the stock market were so good, my total income was right up there equal to about the most I ever made while working. I did want to retire earlier than I did (55 instead of 62) but that didn't work out. But that was probably a good thing. Seven more years paying into Social Security upped my monthly check so it all worked out for the best I'd say.
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Jim's 1980 SG Miss September
- Thread starter Jim
- Start date
Right mirror from Randy showed up today. It cleaned up even better that my left one.
Thanks Randy!!
Thanks Randy!!
Just delivered.... HJS IS-MAX2 helmet. Neighbor has one. His is a large and it fit me perfectly. Ordered this one from Amazon and it''s a perfect fit. Anyone wearing it? Thoughts?
Well since you asked......I’m on my third one. I had the previous generation and two like this. I love this helmet, it’s super comfortable, feels very secure, easy to get on without removing my glasses.
Since Arizona is about as bright as the surface of the sun, I also opted for a smoked face shield, which is just about perfect. The smoked inner visor on the helmet is nice, but not very dark. One other thing I would suggest, if you are going to be doing any riding in cold damp weather, a Pinlock shield will really help fight off fogging on your visor and your stock face shield already has the pins for it.
You’re gonna love that helmet!
Since Arizona is about as bright as the surface of the sun, I also opted for a smoked face shield, which is just about perfect. The smoked inner visor on the helmet is nice, but not very dark. One other thing I would suggest, if you are going to be doing any riding in cold damp weather, a Pinlock shield will really help fight off fogging on your visor and your stock face shield already has the pins for it.
You’re gonna love that helmet!
Yup, I’ve got one of those and it’s great Jim. It is comfy and reasonably quiet and I like the “raisable” chin bar so that I can talk to people without taking the whole thing off when I stop for gas etc.
Hey - does this mean you’re going to start riding that beautiful bike soon?
Pete
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New helmets make knees bend better.Hey - does this mean you’re going to start riding that beautiful bike soon?
+1 on the pin-lock visor thingy - they really DO work to reduce fogging in wet weather and moist environments (although I cannot imagine how Mailman knows anything about either....)
If we ever got together we’d look like Storm Troopers!
There..... that's better.
Ha! I like it!
Short update....
Reworked and installed sidestand. Rework involved welding a large washer to the foot. Wound up being too big to clear the frame, so I had to trim it back a little. Ended up with about 25-30% more foot area.... and that's about it. Meant to mark up the centerstand before I removed it, but I forgot. Guess I'll have to reinstall it to measure for cuttin'.
Oh.... and I took a little test ride.. or six or eight...
Reworked and installed sidestand. Rework involved welding a large washer to the foot. Wound up being too big to clear the frame, so I had to trim it back a little. Ended up with about 25-30% more foot area.... and that's about it. Meant to mark up the centerstand before I removed it, but I forgot. Guess I'll have to reinstall it to measure for cuttin'.
Oh.... and I took a little test ride.. or six or eight...
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Even with the original stock (length) rear shocks, I felt my Special leaned over a bit too much on the sidestand. Yours looks to lean quite a bit as well, judging by the end of your video. I lengthened the stand by welding a chunk of 1/2" thick plate to the bottom. This also increases the foot size some .....
The second pic also illustrates about the only good thing about the later safety switch equipped stands - Yamaha provided a rubber bump stop on the frame for the stand when it's in the up position .....
The second pic also illustrates about the only good thing about the later safety switch equipped stands - Yamaha provided a rubber bump stop on the frame for the stand when it's in the up position .....
I have noticed that "extreme lean angle" when parked, on my cafe donor bike (an '81 SH model very similar to Jim's bike) as well.
I assumed it was part of the Harley-wanna-be marketing hype that they brought out with the Special models in the late 1970s. I don't know if the XS750 and XS11 Specials had it too - but the XS650 models all seem to.
The difference in lean angle versus a Standard model is quite pronounced and to me, this effect is simply a PITA. It makes the bike take up way more space when parked in the shed and oddly, it feels as though it is more susceptible to tip-overs rather than less.
I assumed it was part of the Harley-wanna-be marketing hype that they brought out with the Special models in the late 1970s. I don't know if the XS750 and XS11 Specials had it too - but the XS650 models all seem to.
The difference in lean angle versus a Standard model is quite pronounced and to me, this effect is simply a PITA. It makes the bike take up way more space when parked in the shed and oddly, it feels as though it is more susceptible to tip-overs rather than less.
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The washer I welded on was a fat 1/4" thick. Figured it would be enough. It does lean a fair bit more than I want. Might add another washer.
On my Standard and my buddy's '80 Special II, we both have 18" rear wheels and longer than stock rear shocks. I needed to add 3/4" to the sidestands to make them right. My buddy recently added the flanged alloy spoked wheels to his bike and I must say, they look great .....
Notice how his rear wheel is almost on the ground now. My Standard is the same. Centerstanding these bikes is a piece of cake.
Notice how his rear wheel is almost on the ground now. My Standard is the same. Centerstanding these bikes is a piece of cake.
That Special II looks set up very well with that 18" wheel, longer shocks, and mufflers.
Dunlop tire it looks like. Would you tell what size tire was chosen on that Special II ?
Thanks, -R
Standard "Standard" metric sizes - 110 rear, 100 front. They about equal the inch sizes that came on the Standards back in the day (4.00 rear, 3.25 or 3.50 front). You can still find a few inch size tires if you search for them but they usually charge more for them. I don't think it's necessary as these metric sizes fit and work fine.
Yes, my buddy is fond of Dunlops. Pretty stiff and not as easy to change as some other brands though.
Yes, my buddy is fond of Dunlops. Pretty stiff and not as easy to change as some other brands though.
I sure appreciate that confirmation.
That 100 fr. & 110 rr. choice seems to be a fine combination .
Drilled a 1/8" hole in the centerstand bolts and cross drilled for the grease passageway. Then drilled 1/4" into the threaded end with a .212" bit. I didn't have a 1/4-28 bottoming tap, so I made one out of an AN4 bolt. Now I need to bolt the stand back in to measure how much I need to cut out of the down tubes....
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