RonXS' Build Thread - The Soft Cafe

I know this is a bit off-topic on Ron's build thread, but I wanted to give Ron a public shout out and a "Thank You!". Several weeks ago I purchased a luggage rack from Ron for a 1973 Yamaha DT3 250 I acquired and have slowly brought back into good mechanical and original running condition. Ron shipped a couple extra turn signal stalks and lenses with the luggage rack, but I was still missing what I needed in order to make the DT3 truly original with the original turn signals. Even though there was a fitment issue with the luggage rack, it's all good as I was glad to get the turn signal parts and will eventually use the rack on another project. Well, I went to the post office today and was surprised to see another package. Got it home, opened it up, and low-and-behold a note from Ron said "found these after I shipped the luggage rack". It was the missing turn signal stalks I needed! I now have all the components to make the DT3 fully original, turn signals and all. Thanks again, Ron!
 
I was doing great on the XS650 project... Until my school teacher wife started summer vacation. Now I have a to-do list a mile long... Dang! I had it pretty good for a while though. ;)

No update from the painter on the tank yet. But did manage to get the title changed... Now its titled in my name and licensed as a 'collector vehicle'... So no need to renew license in the future. :thumbsup:
 
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RonXS said:
licensed as a 'collector vehicle'... So no need to renew license in the future. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Did you know that if you went with a "Horseless Carriage" plate instead of "Collector Vehicle"... in WA, this eliminates the requirement for insurance...whereas the collector vehicle plate still requires it with the motorcycle insurance requirement we now have. (Note: I carry insurance on my XS and FZ1 regardless...so collector plates are what I run, but I may change over to this for one of my smaller/less ridden bikes to minimize the cost.)
 
Installed a volt meter into the 'light tower'. More detail in this thread.
4K4H89n.jpg
 
Still waiting for the tank (supposed to be done this Friday)... I the meantime I've been working on the forks and painting brackets. I did find something to put in the vacant spot under the rear of the fuel tank.
i8xMrx2.jpg


The horn appears to fit. Opens up the front of the engine to some extra air flow. Bonus that the wires reach without modification.
Won't know for sure until I get the tank back... fingers crossed!
0wl933r.jpg
 
Making progress on the 'honey dos' aiming to get them wrapped up while we still have good weather...

Managed to pick up this used buffing station... Has a filtered vacuum and lights. Just need to pickup the buffing supplies. This should help with the XS650 fork polishing.
p6nG4SG.jpg


It's not all work, work, work around here... I'm not passing up an opportunity to check off another 'bucket list' item... Ride a motorcycle on the race track. :thumbsup:
Took the Superhawk (AKA the happy puppy) to Aprilia Racers Days at the Ridge Motorsports Park.
HCzknAc.jpg
 
RonXS said:
Making progress on the 'honey dos' aiming to get them wrapped up while we still have good weather...

Managed to pick up this used buffing station... Has a filtered vacuum and lights. Just need to pickup the buffing supplies. This should help with the XS650 fork polishing.
p6nG4SG.jpg


It's not all work, work, work around here... I'm not passing up an opportunity to check off another 'bucket list' item... Ride a motorcycle on the race track. :thumbsup:
Took the Superhawk (AKA the happy puppy) to Aprilia Racers Days at the Ridge Motorsports Park.
HCzknAc.jpg
Click to expand...
That's a great track! I race there every year (WMRRA)...we raced at the Ridge just a couple of weeks ago (before MotoAmerica came out for their round) and with the added Chicane, it's a totally different track...but still fun. If you liked the track day, you may even like racing w/WMRRA. :) This weekend we're up at Pacific Raceways (Auburn).
 
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I got most of my buffing compound bars from McMaster-Carr. They have a good price on the large bars, what most other places charge for their smaller ones .....

https://www.mcmaster.com/buffing-bars

I have coarse (black emery), medium (brown tripoli), and fine polish(white) but honestly, I use mostly the coarse. It seems to give a nice enough shine for me.
 
5twins said:
Yes, the MikesXS headpipes don't kick up much at the ends, unfortunately. The MAC pipes were pretty much perfect. Those Dime City upswept adapters are nice but a bit much in my opinion. Too bad they don't make another set with less upsweep. Here's the MikesXS pipes on my newest 650. As you can see, they don't kick up much .....

rlwc7SK.jpg


But overall, I'm pleased with the looks of the system .....

2al8qBp.jpg


KUD9KWE.jpg


The mufflers are actual Norton Commando Peashooter replicas. Most English bikes use mufflers with 1 3/8" inlets but these have 1.5" inlets. They are called the "big bore" model .....

https://www.commandospecialties.com/norton-exhaust/big-bore-peashooters.html

They are a beautiful muffler but are basically straight through so are a bit loud .....

zclj7ID.jpg


ZIRX5hs.jpg
Click to expand...
Got the same. I'll fit them back on my big bore this weekend, I use to have them on the 650 and sounded the dogs bollocks!
 
Ah! but despite the lovely sunny day here in London, the 2 fitting passenger footrest bolts where missing as I changed of address 4 times within 20 years! LOL.So couldn't fit them this weekend:( And slowly finding out that they are unusual! as M12x1.25.

On top of that not so common motorcycle with an even rarest tampering I will have some very rare nuts!!!! believe me guys I will feel like Luke Skywalker the day I will ride da beast.
 

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