Managed to sneak another few miles.
Note salt on tyres - the local cooncil still spreading hundred of tons of the stuff every night if there's any chance of ice. Or even frost. Or even overtime payments.
Riding observations: Front brake definitely has more 'feel'. The XS feels very 'planted' - solid and stable in a straight line. The sound is great - that's probably a bit subjective. Gearing seems a little bit low - 50 mph comes up at 3,500 rpm - but that's probably better than being geared too high. Handling promises to be at least
good enough, though I haven't had a chance to seek out bendy roads and do many miles yet.
Mileage since purchase about 260. Expenditure since purchase £2579.51 Gulp! That's
in addition to what I paid for the bike.
Probably buy better shocks soon, but that can wait till I've sought out those bendy roads and also assessed how well or badly Missy handles British austerity road surfaces.
Would like to upgrade the front disc and have seen this one on ebay:
Drilled and much lighter than the standard manhole cover. BUT when I used the site's
check if this fits your bike, computer said No. It's a 298 mm EBC disc and supposed to fit XS650 Special for other years but not 1978. I'm puzzled and will get in touch with the seller to see why not. Anything I need to know about single front discs fitted to 1978-83 XS650s, wire spoked/cast wheels? Are they all same size & 6-bolt fitment?
Better go and wash the bike now.