Jim's 1980 SG Miss September

Congratulations on getting the bike on the road Jim, it's a great feeling.:cheers:

Exhaust note is also nice... deep and throaty. I'm on the fence as to whether or not it's loud enough, but I worry that if I drill holes in the baffles, it'll change the tone.. Gonna have to think long and hard about that one.

Yeah Jim, I'm hanging out for someone to drill out a set of those Emgo's before I do anything with mine.:rolleyes:
 
Congratulations on getting the bike on the road Jim, it's a great feeling.:cheers:



Yeah Jim, I'm hanging out for someone to drill out a set of those Emgo's before I do anything with mine.:rolleyes:

If you drill out just the back plates you can fix them by drinking a few beers/coke's then cut up the can's so you can make
2 aluminum plates with a hole cut in the center. Place this over the drilled plate and either screw or JB Weld in place you'll
get the original sound back. I did this on my Volusia and it worked great.
 
Congratulations on getting the bike on the road Jim, it's a great feeling.:cheers:



Yeah Jim, I'm hanging out for someone to drill out a set of those Emgo's before I do anything with mine.:rolleyes:
Thanks Mick!!
Yeah.... I think I'm gonna hang back too and see who drills first. :whistle:
 
You got rid of the RDs? The giant killers? I heard the RD was the only bike that was designed and built to race, then mass produced for the public.What were they thinking? LMAO!!!
 
Yeah.... I think I'm gonna hang back too and see who drills first. :whistle:[/QUOTE]

I like the sound from my commando replicas. From all the posts about 'drill, baby, drill', I'm going to ride my scoot like it is.:twocents:
 
Hi Gator,
Not sure if that comment was directed at me? Use the 'Quote" and 'Reply buttons for some context.
If you're referring to my first comment.... yeah, I've had upwards of 10-15 R3's, R5's and RD's. I'd love to have any one of 'em back, but ya can't keep 'em all.... :(
 
I restored a 77 RD400 back in 2012. French Blue. I’m trying to get a picture out of google photos over to a new E-mail so I can post it but having a hard time. I sold it because I was starting a KO750 and needed the room. I was living in a condo and had 3 bikes already in there. Bad mistake. I keep trying to buy it back but he won’t sell it back to me. I just sold him a K1750 that I restored in 08. I sold that to fund the XS2. Or try to. We stay in touch and he’s already eyeballing my XS2. I’m gonna keep this one. When he bought the K1 I asked him “ how many bikes do you have? “ He said 42. Oooof!!!
 
Horn V2.0
V1.0 was a single Fiamm low tone blaster that was anything but... :rolleyes:
Used the original horn bracket to fab a dual horn bracket.....

IMG_20190614_171705.jpg


Painted black and hung on my painted part holder....

IMG_20190614_172111.jpg


Added the wires for the extra horn and installed the extra Fiamm high note.....

IMG_20190614_221038.jpg


So... what we wound up with here is a complete and total waste of 2 hrs. of my time.... I hate 'em. How much? Let me count the ways....
First, they're still not much louder than stock... which was (is) my original intent.... to have a loud horn. Fail.:(
Second, they fill up the space the original occupied to the point I'll have to remove them just to adjust the valves. Not a huge problem, still...... Fail. :(
Third.... they're just friggin ugly.... epic fail type ugly:yikes:
Oh well... back to the drawing board.
 
..

No joy here today. My buddy Scout's arthritus got to the point where he could barely walk somedays. Got to the point where he couldn't sleep much 'cause he couldn't get comfortable. Stayed up most of the night with him talkin' about all the critters he's taken out. He even took out good sized groundhog once. I used to call him Scarface. He's had a long, well lived life and reminiscing did us both good. He told me it was time...
Rest well buddy...

View attachment 142395

real sorry to see that you lost your boy Jim . I've only just seen this .
Words just seem so inadequate at times like this . Love of our pets is such a double edged sword isn't it !. Sometimes I find myself wondering for a moment if the heartache that their inevitable passing causes us is worth the pleasure and companionship they give but then a life without animals would be tough for some of us. The unconditional trust that our pets give us is humbling
 
Awww man, that’s too bad. It is hard to find a discreet mounting point on these minimalist bikes.

Too true. I’ve had similar issues with fuel filters and horns. There just aren’t very many nooks and crannies for extra stuff on the XS650.

It seems that if it wasn’t installed on the bike in Japan in the 70’s, it will likely be difficult to find a place to install it here and now - at least without some unattractive compromises.
 
Last edited:
Third.... they're just friggin ugly.... epic fail type ugly:yikes:
Oh well... back to the drawing board.
Yes, froggin ugly lol.
Horns on motorcycles are not that effective. It’s not like you are going to scare an irritating driver. If you have to honk in an emergency, well that’s a bit too late.
I tune the horn for nice tone and call it good for beeping at ladies
:cool:
 
OK... what with the horn fiasco and Scout passing... it's time for a feel good update. I asked about phone holders the other day and MaxPete put up a pic of what he's using. Later that day he messaged me and explained what he had.... Apparently Robin Cecil liked Pete's holder... so Pete bought him one. Unfortunately, Robin never got around to using it.
Well, most of you know that Pete recently bought one of Robins bikes. While he was picking it up, Robins wife Dixie gave the phone holder back to Pete. And Pete has given it to me. In a somber sorta way... I feel honored.....

Phone_Holder-1.jpg


2.jpg


3.jpg


4.jpg


First impression is that it's very well made... all metal with a nice solid feel. Lay the phone in place and finger tighten the knurled knob. Captures the phone tightly with no wiggle. No worries about it coming loose.
Daylight was fadin' when I went for a ride so I don't know how the brightness will be in full daylight, but it was easily readable on this ride... and told me what I already suspected... my speedo is all over the place. Who knows, maybe it'll settle down after a bit.
So anyway... this ones for Robin... and Dixie.... and you Pete. Thanks guys.
 
Well if that's your practice run I'm sure you'll end up with two fabulous looking emblems! Nice simple repair technique.
Hey Jim, I got my letters and have installed them. Just wondering what you used to cover the on your final set? Clearcoat, urethane, epoxy?
They sure look good now,
 
Back
Top