I may give you mine! I just haven't decided yet. I like the red on yours. @Boog says black is faster, though.
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Yeah, but Boog literally has "fire engine red" in his avatar. I think he's pullin' our leg.
I may give you mine! I just haven't decided yet. I like the red on yours. @Boog says black is faster, though.
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Thanks, azman. I may enjoy the 55-60 zone. I just don't know yet. The Bullet is about 45 mph and pleasurable. Plenty quick for me at the moment. I don't quite know the differences between the Special II and the Special of the same year, '80 but I don't plan on trading. I kind of like what I got, even if it isn't as pretty as @Jim's. (Seriously!)Welcome to the group! I've been riding an '80 SG for the last 11 years. These bikes are made for the back roads. 65-70 is my comfort zone limit. Easy to work on. Don't need a lot of special tools when rebuilding anything on it. Factory workshop manual is a must.
The first XS650 I met was in a showroom back in 1985. It was a Heritage Special, I think an '82. It was fire-engine red with yellow spark plug wires and I fell in love. Then the temptress 883 appeared and I got sucked away on a plum purple instead. It took this long to get back. Nice to meet you, sir!Yeah, but Boog literally has "fire engine red" in his avatar. I think he's pullin' our leg.
That was shot shortly after the restoration. She's a little more "broke in" now........even if it isn't as pretty as @Jim's. (Seriously!)
I was curious what the production runs were on the 80's; whether the Special II or the Special was more popular? I read these motorcycles took a sales hit and were over produced about that time, and it was still possible to get a 'new' one of the XS650 series as late as 1987.
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I understand it is frowned upon to quote a member with the picture embedded, but I don't know how to shortcut or crop it. This once though I pray it won't dissatisfy immensely. I can't help but admire the paint scheme Marty. I hear Jim does some fabulous work and have seen some results. You too?
I have a wretched '79 Special II that I'm actively bringing back. Mine came from a Georgia junk yard.
Highlight the text you want to include in your reply, click "reply" and it'll paste it into you comment. There's other ways, but that's prolly the easiest way. Here's a screen grab....with the picture embedded, but I don't know how to shortcut or crop it.
You would think @gggGary would have some figures on the production runs that year ('80). I would like to learn how many of these were produced as 'U. S. Custom' here in our country, or were they imported. Possibly others too might know. I only have met a handful of us so far. I think I have caught up to today and can add some more soon. I appreciate the support of friendliness with each response from every member. I will try to strike a good pace without distracting the rhythm of all the other threads and keep a steady pace on cue. And pray no one feels left out. @nj1639 thank you for the welcome, too.Late seventies... early eighties were when the UJM's came of age. The XS was a little long in the tooth at that point. Yeah.... they sat in dealerships a bit.
Yes, me too. The paint scheme is inspired by Triumph, both then and now. They Royal Enfield Interceptor is also painted in similar fashion.I can't help but admire the paint scheme Marty. I hear Jim does some fabulous work and have seen some results. You too?
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Hi, 5twins. High Test is 91 around here I think, but all of it is unleaded. There are only a few stations I can get real gas without ethanol, and I hear problems emerge if it is used, 'Regular Unleaded' comes in 87 octane, 89 octane and 91. The emissions control label on the side panel specifies 91 as a minimum. Is there a 93?I recommend you run high test. Regular isn't 91 octane anymore and the bike will probably ping on it.
Historically, I've always run 93 octane in my 650 or 91 E0. E0 is only routinely available as 87 where I live. My bike is in very good tune and stock. It runs very well on 87 E0. I can ride all over Mississippi exclusively on E0. So that's what I do. If it isn't knocking, 87 is fine. Not so much if it's pinging.Hi, 5twins. High Test is 91 around here I think, but all of it is unleaded. There are only a few stations I can get real gas without ethanol, and I hear problems emerge if it is used, 'Regular Unleaded' comes in 87 octane, 89 octane and 91. The emissions control label on the side panel specifies 91 as a minimum. Is there a 93?
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Hello there from up above Skull. I saw that page and noticed the '80 Europe, U. S. Custom, SII with the VIN numbers confused me. Mine begin with 3G0000.... and no information other than some pictures. There were no highlights to link to for this model code 4G7. My eye is not discerning enough to know the differences yet, and due to various model changes possibly in the same year, I am unsure what came as stock on mine. The components should be as specified, with metal side panels instead of plastic, as the SJ is, and I have the chrome topped B34 carb assembly. But I have handlebars that seem more drawn in than any others I have seen as stock (Picture below). I know the K/Q seat most likely was added on, but the hinges on the right side and the locking mechanism on the left appear as original. @5twins made a comment about his seat he swapped from an '80 to his '83, and I can't find any fact on how the stock seat was attached, originally.This is stickied on the first page of the Garage
https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...workshop-manuals-and-other-information.30569/
Thanks.This motor was designed to use unleaded so it's not an issue.