What have you done to your XS today?

Today? Yesterday?
I needed to replace my old right hand controls. I had repaired the Engine Stop Switch but to be safe, I bought a new one from MikesXS.
This is the control I replaced ( Before)
Before.jpg

This is the after. Real Spiffy but wait just a minute!
After.jpg

It was not a remove and replace. First the screws in the new
control were so tight I could not get them to break loose with
the control in a vise and using an impact driver. The heads were soft.
I had to use a Dremel and cut slots in the screw heads.
Tight screws.jpg

Then the wires come ready with a six terminal Male and female plug.
You still have bare ends to deal with . I cut the plug off then crimped and
soldered on bullet connectors with heat shrink. (First one)
bullet connectors.jpg

But the fight wasn't over! Something was holding off the
control from going over and tightening on the handle bar.
loom clamp.jpg

The loom clamp/keeper/thingy was too long! (New ones on the bottom)
Rather than grind it down I replaced it with the one in the original control
at the top as well as the mount screws. Got-R-done, but what a pain.
 
I had the latter of the three problems you encountered with the switch.
Yeah, Tiesco. It's like 5T saying he had to bend/tweak one of his pipes. I had the same problem. I also got a set of fork tubes from mikes but they would not fit my bike; didn't even look the same. Sure enough, the 77's were different than all the others. ( But no body ever had this problem before) Beats me but I got to return them. Found a good set on E-bay. Mikes, It's a love hate relationship! :laugh:

Oh, I waxed it also. Not really wax but polish.
 
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Yeah, Tiesco. It's like 5T saying he had to bend/tweak one of his pipes. I had the same problem. I also got a set of fork tubes from mikes but they would not fit my bike; didn't even look the same. Sure enough, the 77's were different than all the others. ( But no body ever had this problem before) Beats me but I got to return them. Found a good set on E-bay. Mikes, It's a love hate relationship! :laugh:

Oh, I waxed it also. Not really wax but polish.

No not really. The tank has a patina that resembles and perfectly ripe apple in the right light. I would like to give it a nice shine.

And I definitely consider Mikes a last resort for most things.
 
No not really. The tank has a patina that resembles and perfectly ripe apple in the right light. I would like to give it a nice shine.

And I definitely consider Mikes a last resort for most things.
You lucked out getting that tank. I had to find one a bit ago and got lucky. I always thought I wanted a maroon tank and covers just to change the look of the bike from time to time. This is my tank in the shadows.
Really shines.jpg

I use this stuff.
Polish.jpg

I really like it. Goes on and comes off easy by hand. It will work with
those driven sponge polishing heads too.
 
You lucked out getting that tank. I had to find one a bit ago and got lucky. I always thought I wanted a maroon tank and covers just to change the look of the bike from time to time. This is my tank in the shadows.
View attachment 163346
I use this stuff.
View attachment 163347
I really like it. Goes on and comes off easy by hand. It will work with
those driven sponge polishing heads too.

It sure cost me a lot but it was definitely worth it
 
Gary does kicking it over a few time no ignition help with a cold start ?
Well, I kick my e-start 72 for 2 reasons. Mainly to free up the clutch, (clutch lever pulled in whilst kicking until it slips freely), and at the same time it pumps some oil around. Now it's primed and it won't clunk into gear and stall. E-start only bikes are at a disadvantage, eh?
 
Well, I kick my e-start 72 for 2 reasons. Mainly to free up the clutch, (clutch lever pulled in whilst kicking until it slips freely), and at the same time it pumps some oil around. Now it's primed and it won't clunk into gear and stall. E-start only bikes are at a disadvantage, eh?
I tried fixing my electric start by tightening that wishbone spring I had read some where it didn't matter how bad the gear was just by tightening the spring it would work it really never worked
I wish I could find a gear other than Mikes but I am going to replace that gear and try again
I don't mind kick starting it just when its cold it can be a bear sometimes but I'm going to try a few of the other suggestions about kicking it too
Thanks Guys !!
 
I tried fixing my electric start by tightening that wishbone spring I had read some where it didn't matter how bad the gear was just by tightening the spring it would work it really never worked
I wish I could find a gear other than Mikes but I am going to replace that gear and try again
I don't mind kick starting it just when its cold it can be a bear sometimes but I'm going to try a few of the other suggestions about kicking it too
Thanks Guys !!
I just found a NOS #4 gear on Ebay $47.33 that includes postage (sorry Mikes)
And I have a new wishbone spring to go with it already
It's time to drain the oil and get to it
 
I need to do this as well. I still have a spare starter from my chopper with a good gear if my current one is chewed up. Maybe I’ll do that when I get around to taking off the RH case to polish it up. I should have done this stuff while it was still cold out.
 
Yep, I did the spring thing back when I was old and stupid ( nothings changed) I had just built the engine up. It ground first time I tried it. THEN I read about the spring bend. Got one from mikes, I mean , you know. Gets the case cover off and already metal in the oil! Ok I did the magic. IT Worked! …. for about two times.
I unplugged the sol wire and kick start only. ( Careful at the stop lights not to stall or you will learn the "HTFU ritual". No more metal in my oil! If I get too old to start her I'll do like the old JD tractors and park it on a hill. ( Could call the ole lady to kick it. She has a diesel powdered vibrator that's kick start! Right leg is much bigger than the left. Waddles like a duck! ):whistle:
 
Got some new fork seals installed today. Been wanting to do that for a while. It makes me think about raising the ass end up about 2 or 2.5 inches with a different set of shocks.
 

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Like Marlin72xs, I'm going out of my mind if I don't get a ride in soon. SWMBO does not like me to leave the house. She has a reason for this. She takes meds that suppress her immune system. This would make her more likely to get it if I brought it home from one of my shopping sprees.
 
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