johnno3au
XS650 Member
Hi all
I've been riding for 20 years with my preference being for sport touring japanese motorcycyles (with the odd sports bike chucked in). This is my first foray into the classic jap motorcycle scene. Ive just purchased a black 1978 XS650 special, imported into Australia from Mansfield Ohio with 9700 miles on the clock. I've only had it for a week but I love it already!! I now know what people mean by the statement "riding a real motorcycle". It rattles my teeth loose & has that old air cooled bike smell but it puts a big smile on my face every time I ride it. She is cosmetically really good but needs some carb work (nothing unusual I've been told). Other than that the bike runs sweet. I would like to fit electronic ignition to it & some pull back handlebars. The bike came with the original Yamaha sissy bar accessory (I think its original) which I intend to fit as well. Any advice as to what I should replace on the old girl would be appreciated (bronze swing arm bushes, cam chain tensioner, etc??). I believe she has been in storage for quite some time. Photo's to be posted soon.
Cheers
I've been riding for 20 years with my preference being for sport touring japanese motorcycyles (with the odd sports bike chucked in). This is my first foray into the classic jap motorcycle scene. Ive just purchased a black 1978 XS650 special, imported into Australia from Mansfield Ohio with 9700 miles on the clock. I've only had it for a week but I love it already!! I now know what people mean by the statement "riding a real motorcycle". It rattles my teeth loose & has that old air cooled bike smell but it puts a big smile on my face every time I ride it. She is cosmetically really good but needs some carb work (nothing unusual I've been told). Other than that the bike runs sweet. I would like to fit electronic ignition to it & some pull back handlebars. The bike came with the original Yamaha sissy bar accessory (I think its original) which I intend to fit as well. Any advice as to what I should replace on the old girl would be appreciated (bronze swing arm bushes, cam chain tensioner, etc??). I believe she has been in storage for quite some time. Photo's to be posted soon.
Cheers