Dad's Bike: 1983 Heritage Special

[jetmechmarty]

No...funny story though....

I was surfing ebay one day looking at XS650 stuff. The seller, a Harley shop, had them listed as "Yamaha ??" wheels. I recognized them as rare Lester mag wheels. The 18" rear is very rare, as everyone was putting 16" rears on their bikes back in the day. The CB550 specific 18" is even more rare.
I bought them for $29 EACH! Had the lips polished and I detailed the spokes. That's easily a $1,000 set of wheels.

 

[scott s]

I have the superbike pattern on my SV650. The stock length cables and hoses would not work with the Daytona, but going from a Special bar to the Daytona should be a snap.

The stock '83 XS650 cables worked on the Daytona bars for me.

 

[CaseySmithersxs]

@ScottS, How on EARTH did you get those engine cover to shine like that again!? Im actually battling that now.

 

[jd750ace]

The stock '83 XS650 cables worked on the Daytona bars for me.

Thanks. It looked as though there would be ample room. Gonna meet my younger brother in Pennsylvania and get my bike up here next weekend so I can get to generating moronic questions!

 

[scott s]

Last Sunday, I put 275 miles on my Tiger Xc chasing my Dad around 226A/"The Snake", Mount Mitchell and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
He'll be 77 years old in July. He rode Hare Scrambles back in the early '70's and then didn't ride for over 30 years, until about 5 or 6 years ago.
I CAN NOT keep up with this man on a curvy road. It's awesome seeing him enjoy himself, but also scary, knowing that's my old man scraping the pegs up ahead. He struggled making the hike to the top of Mt. Mitchell, but the years just fell away as soon as he was back on two wheels.

 

[nj1639]

Your Dad AND his bike rock! One of my favorite looking Specials he has.

 

[jetmechmarty]

How is that pipe working for him on the right handers? Is he dragging it hard?

 

[scott s]

Nope. Not a problem. But, be does have a full Progressive suspension set up for a 200+ lb. man and an 18" rear wheel.

 

[azman857]

Your Dad's bike ROCKS! 18" rear really improves the look and I imagine the ride. I want to put a 18" mag on mine. The fairing and paint, well done! Being almost 60 now I can relate to feeling MUCH younger when I ride. If he wants more power from his engine, replace the 447 cam with an earlier XS1 or XS2 cam. Woke my SG up!

 

[gggGary]

Very Cool!

 

[bighairyralph]

I wanna grow up to be like your dad!

 

[MaxPete]

Very cool - and I concur. Back when I was a boy, the XS Specials really were the cats @ss.

Pete

 

[retiredgentleman]

Very cool - and I concur. Back when I was a boy, the XS Specials really were the cats @ss.

Pete

I think the 78 and 79 Specials were very well done. Just remove the roto-tiller handlebars and they are perfect.

 

[Mailman]

This is such a great story. What a wonderful shared experience with your dad. My dad had a love of all things mechanical and it was always something we could connect on.

 

[YamadudeXS650C]

Its easy to fall in love with a Special. I'll never sell my '83..