New member starting a project 650

[johnnyc14]

This is the kind of fender I have in mind, I just want one that's less experienced

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1972-KAWASAK...ash=item1c8542b28e:g:MtIAAOSwWxNYtjpi&vxp=mtr

 

[TimeMachine]

Vintage Polished Aluminum fender interest you ?

 

[CoconutPete]

This is the kind of fender I have in mind, I just want one that less experienced

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1972-KAWASAK...ash=item1c8542b28e:g:MtIAAOSwWxNYtjpi&vxp=mtr

And they STILL want $60 for it. Wow!

 

[johnnyc14]

This is the kind of fender I have in mind, I just want one that less experienced

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1972-KAWASAK...ash=item1c8542b28e:g:MtIAAOSwWxNYtjpi&vxp=mtr

Vintage Polished Aluminum fender interest you ?

I thought about one of the nice aluminum fenders that are available for the British bikes but figured that they are probably not well suited to gravel road use. Do you have a source for them?

 

[TimeMachine]

Only one.. old brit front, beauty. I'll PM

 

[BigJimmyW13]

I agree with you about the fender Pete. I was going to buy a vintage Preston Petty fender but couldn't find a black one. What I would really like there is a 2 part metal fender like the ones that came on 70's Kawasaki F9 Bighorns but they are impossible to find because they all fractured and fell apart from vibration. I have to F9's and they both have plastic front fender, I'd love to find an original. I'm trying to dream up a way to make a copy. Meanwhile the Honda plastic fender will do a fender's job.

Thanks for all your comments guys, I'm getting excited about the finish so I can ride it.

I think the Acerbis supermoto fender is slightly smaller. Maybe worth a shot?

 

[TimeMachine]

 

[johnnyc14]

Good news from XS650 Direct. I sent them an email describing the oil leak with a link to the YouTube video. They replied this morning that they are shipping me a warranty replacement pipe, I got the FedEx shipping confirmation a few minutes later. Can't ask for any more than that!

John

 

[johnnyc14]

The replacement oil feed pipe arrived here on Friday and I installed it yesterday. The one that leaked looked like the soldering was done by a rookie but this one looks as good as the original. It fit perfectly and does not leak. I'm very pleased with the customer service at XS650 Direct.

 

[johnnyc14]

Well I took the bike out for a 16 KM shake down run today. The charging and ignition systems work great. I was hoping to get away without putting throttle shaft seals in the carbs but no such luck, they leak when the engine gets warm. I'm going to order the OEM ones tomorrow.

John

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

... the soldering was done by a rookienbut ...

???

I'm not familiar with those.
Foreigners? From the *other* planet?
Good heads up, tho'...

 

[johnnyc14]

Where is spellcheck when you need it? LOL

 

[johnnyc14]

I got my throttle shaft seals installed along with new needle/seats and bowl gaskets. I soaked the carb parts in vinegar for a couple of hours to loosen up the stubborn spooge and they turned out nice

. I also machined a 3 piece rack to go behind the seat from some 3/8" 6061 plate scraps and got that installed. I took the bike in to a shop to get the Out of Province inspection done so now I can get it licensed.

Unfortunately I won't be riding for a while, I was out on my daily morning run with my dog the other day and stepped in a hole and buggered up my ankle. Could take a few weeks to heal. Why couldn't this have happed in December?

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

I punched "like" for the pics and bracket machining. NOT for the ankle.
I feel your pain. All the way down here.

Get well soon...

 

[TimeMachine]

I like that Super Bitchin Bike & get well soon -RT

 

[johnnyc14]

Well all my pictures are gone thanks to photobucket. In case anyone is interested I am going to provide a link here to my project photo gallery for this bike, now on Smugmug. Warning, there are more than 1000 pictures.

https://johnconroy.smugmug.com/fram...transition=fade&transitionSpeed=2&clickable=1