79 Special II RestoCustom "Doomy"

Ended up stuck with another hardware run to go further on the rear so I switched back up front. Did load up the front D401F shod front wheel with the two 5mm SR500 brake rotors and caliper hanger. All tight and checked for spacing everywhere.
Yes, I painted my rotors with a dusting of silver to camouflage the pain imperfections.
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Made the hardware run Friday morning so here is a much better view of this rear end plan going on. The test fitting is going well although anybody can see that I left the chrome U bolts way to long for convenient test fitting and a couple damaged fingers are the result. Ouch. All for a tight fit so the accurate marking for the final cut down of those buggars.
 

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Thanks, Kinda making Lemonade out of lemons here as this came to me cut up a little with the po's, "different" plan than my own.
I did find a way to beautify a previous seat hole drilled thru the frame lol..
Rubber mounted bling
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BS38's are capped with new UNI's and waiting today. I must say that after owning only "Standard" models, Fitting the BS38's into position in the "Special" frame seemed just a bit even more tricky. Tilting and twisting etc. , All the moves required still felt more cramped and I think this frame is just a smidge tighter than what I've encountered before.
One very nice fit is the clutch cable. Routed it in between the carbs and frame in a manner I've not done before. I've previously ran the clutch cable outside the left carb.
This routing today was made very convenient by using a new cable which came with the bike. It was bought mistakenly as it is a "Special" cable. Using the extra length to loop in front of the gauges and thru a hoop guide and right down the right side of the back bone works great! No real sharp bends. No binding.
:cool:
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Not much garage time today because there is the Awesome, "The One Motorcycle show" event as soon as I can pick up my gal and get there. Indoor racing even. I will take pics :thumbsup:
But, I have been thinking hard about this bikes stock gearing and can no longer accept even a start up test with that 34 tooth rear. So off came the rear wheel. The brake drum surface needs adressed anyway, since I am liking the Bike "Doomy" more & more as many of my 78E parts have migrated over to it, Why not swap the nice chrome chain guard over to it as well. ? Yes, it is getting harder to find this stuff.
Will somebody else please tell my gal that a guy needs more than one motorcycle ! I wanna keep it
:D
 

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- - - can no longer accept even a start up test with that 34 tooth rear. - - -
Will somebody else please tell my gal that a guy needs more than one motorcycle ! - - -

Hi Machine,
FWIW my '84 Heritage Special came with a 17/36 final drive ratio. Which is just about perfect for sidecar work.
Solo the bike used 17/33 (stock Euro gearing) Some have gone as low as 17/30 but with only ~50 HP that's 4 speeds+ overdrive.
And the minimum number of bikes?
Mebbe 5.
A scooter with carrying basket for local errands.
A dirt bike for trail rides.
As many XS650s as you need to keep at least one of 'em running.
A big Jesus roadburner for zooming off to distant venues.
An antique flat tanker with a wickerwork bodied sidecar for Sunday picnics.
 
17/36 eh ? So what was 1st gear used for ? A marching band speed parade gear ?
:laughing:

Hi Machine,
my best guess is that by 1984 Yamaha had given up hope that the XS650 would go as fast or
handle as well as other 650s but were determined that it would at least beat 'em off the line?
I'm running 17/36 on my XS650 sidecar rig and that's eff nigh perfect for city driving and lets the rig cruise at ~50 mph out of town.
My first XS650 sidecar gearing was 17/38, which turned out to be 4-speed + underdrive but that 1st gear would beat most folks off the line.
 
I ran mine 17/36 when the stockers wore out. It was an in town runner and it worked great. Not so much when I took to the highway. I returned to 17/34 where it is today. I don't think I could live with 17/32. Too sluggish.
 
@ lunch. Did cut down those rear fender mount loops.
Online hunting for a 33 tooth rear sprocket is taking way more time than I imagined. Ebay included. Seems the 33 toothers are in UK or Japan ? Jeez. I want one as wide as the stock sprocket. No narrower, and the mfg's of these sprockets aren't sharing that width spec ? The O-ring style chain I have is slightly heavier and wider than a non o-ring chain so I won't compromise there..
Does anybody have a great local and cheap sprocket recommendation? Even slightly used would be an acceptable trial as both the counter shaft (under 7k) and chain are.
Thx, -R
 

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@ lunch. Did cut down those rear fender mount loops.
Online hunting for a 33 tooth rear sprocket is taking way more time than I imagined. Ebay included. Seems the 33 toothers are in UK or Japan ? Jeez. I want one as wide as the stock sprocket. No narrower, and the mfg's of these sprockets aren't sharing that width spec ? The O-ring style chain I have is slightly heavier and wider than a non o-ring chain so I won't compromise there..
Does anybody have a great local and cheap sprocket recommendation? Even slightly used would be an acceptable trial as both the counter shaft (under 7k) and chain are.
Thx, -R

Hi Machine,
FWIW, all #530 chain, from el-cheapo agricultural chain to fancy-Dan X-ring sealed chain runs on identically tooth sized sprockets.
You may have front sprocket clearance problems when using chains that have massive sideplates,
I had to remove my Heritage Special's inner chainguard to clear an O-ring chain on a 17Tooth sprocket.
I'd advise replacing sprockets and chain as a set so they wear in together for longevity.
And fit a ScottOiler or similar continuous chain lube system to get ~4 times the chain mileage.
 
EMGO online shows plenty of nice stuff. But I only see a 34 tooth and a 31 tooth TC Bros overdrive sprocket..
Guess I'll finally go low enough to buy from YikesXS?
 
Thanks fredintoon,
I'd advise replacing sprockets and chain as a set so they wear in together for longevity
I hear you and know what is the "right" thing to do but this bike project is an unproven runner and an developing slight custom. And I actually ride so little last few years that longevity chain life etc is not a factor yet. If I really like the bike and make better decisions in the end , then I will open the wallet on nice new tires, sprockets, etc..
I've not even seen it run. Bought it as a gamble. Looking great but still..
-R
 
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