What have you done to your XS today?

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Ta Daaa!
Done!
Had it started on the test tank a few days ago. I forgot that the starter was noisy but that fix can wait. First gas in tank tomorrow when it's cool. Hope to get the required Ontario Safety Certificate Monday or Tuesday.
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Hottest ride I ever had was Phoenix to Blythe, full leathers , thought I was going to burn up.........

tim
 
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Got fed up with the non-removable ft. caliper pucks and made another trip to the machine shop...10 mins. He said OK. The welder was around and retrieved my stands...might be the best $20 I spend on the bike considering I have never even tried to weld. The center stand now looks 1/2" shorter and has a little brace for the 'kick' part. The side stand now has a 'Foxy Cleopatra' boot. Last photo is the tank after rinsing out the 'Metal Prep' acid. Using the acid to get all of the Tacked , stuck up Evapo-Rust that was on the surface around the the top of the tank was a must. It took rotating the acid in the tank 360 deg. on 2 axis.
 

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Got fed up with the non-removable ft. caliper pucks and made another trip to the machine shop...10 mins. He said OK. The welder was around and retrieved my stands...might be the best $20 I spend on the bike considering I have never even tried to weld. The center stand now looks 1/2" shorter and has a little brace for the 'kick' part. The side stand now has a 'Foxy Cleopatra' boot. Last photo is the tank after rinsing out the 'Metal Prep' acid.

Boy, you’ll be happy you shortened that center stand. My XS2 was an absolute bear to get up on the stand, I usually rolled it up on a board to do it , when I was home. I put a set of aftermarket shocks on the back that were just a little longer and it made the job a lot easier.
 
Boy, you’ll be happy you shortened that center stand. My XS2 was an absolute bear to get up on the stand, I usually rolled it up on a board to do it , when I was home. I put a set of aftermarket shocks on the back that were just a little longer and it made the job a lot easier.

I was going to do it 3/4" But remembered I am ordering after mkt. (longer) shocks...probably shove a 110 tire on back everything else nominal.
 
Tomorrow, quick bonzi run to Tampa...pick up parts drop off tank...tempted to do it in candy red like the painter's retro blue '75 paint...have to see it to appreciate the depth and light catching ability of the under coat. modified 750 cc, etc. M
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ine will be stock.
Will see how I do on this '72 before another project...but dreaming of it already...in blue/ blue leather sea, something similar to this..see green bike.
 

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Tomorrow, quick bonzi run to Tampa...pick up parts drop off tank...tempted to do it in candy red like the painter's retro blue '75 paint...have to see it to appreciate the depth and light catching ability of the under coat. modified 750 cc, etc. MView attachment 171264 ine will be stock.
Will see how I do on this '72 before another project...but dreaming of it already...in blue/ blue leather sea, something similar to this..see green bike.
Are you going to have Moe (Mo Colors) paint your bike? His work is amazing!
 
No Picture/Caption Today
Just over 4 hours today used up in dismantling clutch to address the slipping starter gear #4 including finding a couple special tools and putting it back together. Electric starter fixed. Left it parked on clean cardboard to see if there are any oil drops.
Unfortunately, in taking it apart, I dislodged the kick start lever enough to disable it, so a bit peeved about that, plus it was 32 C in the garage.
Something to do another day.
 
Expanded hardtail and got the back wheel in straight...

I have used string or cord attached at different points ft/back on bicycles frames to see if the stays of front is out of alignment.
 

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Are you going to have Moe (Mo Colors) paint your bike? His work is amazing!

>>>HE has it now... Stock paint scheme...although I hesitated when he asked...like candy dk. red over silver with the retro side logos...Saw a nice dark red later model 750 tank I'd seen "before' work..The owner in GA is going to likie. I like what he does with guitars.
 
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Kickstart Reassembly Success!!
Hats off to a former contributor here, retired gentleman, who took the time in March of 2013 to set out his way of re-indexing the kickstart gear inside the primary cover. I looked at that and a few other ways of doing it which did not work for me and his way which did.
So nice when it clicks into place.
 
In talking with a workmate today about the Stratoliner I just acquired and the fact that I have yet to seriously start restoration of Rusty, my XS650, he thinks I should get rid of the XS. I asked him if he is someone's wife. Not judging... I mean dang, I said I would start it, no need to nag me about it every six months...
 
No Picture/Caption Today
Just over 4 hours today used up in dismantling clutch to address the slipping starter gear #4 including finding a couple special tools and putting it back together. Electric starter fixed. Left it parked on clean cardboard to see if there are any oil drops.
Unfortunately, in taking it apart, I dislodged the kick start lever enough to disable it, so a bit peeved about that, plus it was 32 C in the garage.
Something to do another day.
View attachment 171363
Kickstart Reassembly Success!!
Hats off to a former contributor here, retired gentleman, who took the time in March of 2013 to set out his way of re-indexing the kickstart gear inside the primary cover. I looked at that and a few other ways of doing it which did not work for me and his way which did.
So nice when it clicks into place.

>> makes me want to review again exactly how that 'hook' end of the spring positions...I've seen several photos of it in front of the stop or hooked over it resting on case wall. Allot of rabbit holes to fall into on this site...went down one and found this: https://thexscafedotcom.wordpress.com/category/m-engine/motor-kick-start/page/2/
SO, the hook has to be tensioned and over the boss so it does not go back clockwise.
 
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