What have you done to your XS today?

Yep, it's gona need a seat cover. The chrome on the mufflers has a tendency to raise in places where rust will soon break thru. It has a couple of places. But over all, without knowing the mileage, it's 5 1/2 stars for a 78'.
 
A friend of mine from way back bought one off the floor, early '70's. He customized it to the max for the time and even shipped it to Oz for a couple of years of work and riding. Still has it, though the mileage is 100k and needs a rebuild. He may get to it someday but in the meantime he has a multiple choice of different rides.
 
A friend of mine from way back bought one off the floor, early '70's. He customized it to the max for the time and even shipped it to Oz for a couple of years of work and riding. Still has it, though the mileage is 100k and needs a rebuild. He may get to it someday but in the meantime he has a multiple choice of different rides.

That's really cool!
 
Hahaha, I don't think I'd steam it. I like to hand clean to see what I have. I'm worried about the chain guides being so old. I should have looked at the mileage. It may be very high mileage. But the guy has not called me back yet. May have to track him down but he's not one that needs money.
Thu
Sorry, I should have specified.. STEAM what you would normally wash with water. Or just use the drool from getting hold of it.. :p
 
Ok, as Paul Harvey would have said, "Now for the rest of the story." My Friend had a friend, back in the day, he worked with. His friend bought the bike new and had the faring and rack installed by the dealership when he bought it. He added the box later. The guy passed away from cancer back when. The bike sit up for years and finally my friend bought it from his buddies widow. He replaced a muffler ( that took forever to locate) , Had the Honda shop clean and rebuild the carbs, new throttle cable and this and that. He put not quiet 3,000 miles on it before parking it in 2014. He only rode it on the back roads. He said his friend never drove it over 55 mph. This guy is honest. I believe him. When I found him, he had dug the bike out, added fresh gas, put it on the charger. He started telling me what was wrong where and pointing out rust... Wanted to start it for me...I said not necessary. Total miles on this bike, (hold on to something) 7,885.9 miles!
I bought it. It came with new clutch cable, seals, bike cover and a Clymers. Lot of rain coming so we agreed I'd pick it up next week in better weather.
A blind pig does find an acorn every so often. Even the wife is happy and she don't like nothing! Next week after I get it home I'll take a pix before and after I get it cleaned up.
Thu
 
Thanks guys. It will be a nice winter project. Always nice to run my hands over something I'm not familiar with. I do think the XS is a much better looking machine. Other people must think so too. It sure turns a lot of heads.
Thu
 
Machine, you got a way with words! :)poo:) Hahaha. Your a sweet heart!

Jim, CB 750.com! Well, I'll be go to hell! I'm a lucky pup! I'll have to check that out! Travis is a busy guy!
Thanks again Guys! :bow2:
Thu
 
Basic Maintenence 101..Chain adjustment.. Noticed alot of chainslap in drive chain and sure enough it was way loose...So this is my first real attempt to do anything on this bike...So I consulted the service manual and proceeded through the necessary steps to adjust the chain...loosen the rear brake adjustment...remove the hitch pin on Axle nut...Axle nut was loose! loosen further...loosen lock nuts on chain tensioner...tighten each side evenly and check chain for proper amount of chainslap..and reverse order to retighten everything..A 1 on a scale to 10..next up will be removing both front and rear wheels and taking them to Cycle gear to change out the tires then reassembly of the wheels...Another basic skils procedeure....baby steps...
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BTW we're almost out of adjustment settings...so that means chain will have to go prolly sometime in the next year..not sure if the sprockets need to be changed out..yet to be determined...Thats going to up my skillset slightly too...
 
Well done, madmax.
Yes, the adjusters are quite a ways back, stretched/worn chain. Grab the chain by a link, at the rear-most part of the sprocket, see if it's loose there.
WornChain.jpg

If so, the chain is delivering its forces at only the top and bottom of the sprocket, and will start to chew-up its rollers and the sprocket's teeth...
 
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