FRESH MEAT! :)

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Holy crap those look good!!! :D

Thanks Jim. Dunlop K70’s the rear is an EXACT duplicate of the tread that was on the factory original tires, that we’re still on the bike when I bought it. The original front tire was ribbed, very popular in the 60’s and 70’s but evil handling! So I chose a matched set of the K70’s. They really have the period correct look that I wanted. On my other 650 , I opted for modern profile tires for good handling. My FIRST choice for the XS2 would’ve been Dunlop K81’s.
The same tires I ran on my original ‘76 XS650C , but for whatever reason the skinniest front tire you can get in the K81 is a 4.10 x 19

I'm starting to think back in 1972 there was not an XS650 that was as clean and shinny as this one will be when done, not even on the assembly line over in Japan!

Thanks Ken. They always look nice when you first finish a bike, but it sure is hard to keep them that way once you start riding them.
 
So you bought new tires AND new rims Bob? Lol.

Looking great man. I have to agree with Ken, this bike did not look as good as you'll have it when it came off the line.

K70's :thumbsup:

They always look nice when you first finish a bike, but it sure is hard to keep them that way once you start riding them.

Sumthin' tells me this won't be a problem for you buddy!
 
So Bob, how close are you getting to start the reassembly? Teasing us with all these shiny bits has me getting anxious to see it back together. I can’t imagine how eager you are getting.
 
So Bob, how close are you getting to start the reassembly? Teasing us with all these shiny bits has me getting anxious to see it back together. I can’t imagine how eager you are getting.

I still have a ways to go but I’m getting there. I still want to pull the motor from the frame and get both the motor and the frame all cleaned up and the frame painted. It’s easy doing big things that are instantly gratifying. The real work will be getting all the wiring sorted and the carbs tuned and the ignition all gone through and all the details that you can’t see.
I also have a LOT of work to do on the motor,
I am replacing the entire clutch assembly with a later model and I need to have a look at that starter gear and on and on.
But back to your question, I’m really not sure when I’ll be re assembling it. I’ll know when it’s time, until then I’m just enjoying the process.
 
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Coming to you live from deep in the Arizona desert. Stripping my bike down as far as I can go in preparation for pulling my motor. Maybe will do it this weekend. Note to self: it sure would’ve been easier to drain the oil BEFORE , when it was still on its wheels.
In retrospect, I also wish I would have done some preliminary cleaning , while I could still roll this thing out in the driveway. Ah well....where’s the fun in that.
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Ok , enough chit chat, I got work to do! :geek:
Bob
 
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My seat is done! And it came out great. I posted a separate thread on installing the seat cover. You can see that here.

http://www.xs650.com/threads/installing-a-new-seat-cover.52293/

This was a rather lengthy process from beginning to end. Gary was instrumental in connecting me with a replacement seat foam, I have covered that earlier. I ordered some generic upholstery tack strips from eBay that I used. There are some nicer ones ( and more expensive ) available through HVCycles. I had to buy a new pop rivet gun because mine died right at the start of this. Had to get new hardware to mount the trim strip and spray adhesive to secure the foam and yadda yadda yadda
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Anyhoo, it’s all done now and it came out great, so here it is.
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So now, about that grab rail. Some of you know I’ve been searching high and low for one of these. A while back I contacted Gary to see if he had one in his barn of treasures. He came back with the answer of “Well I have a couple that I have plans for , but I could let you borrow one until you find one.” Haha! What a guy! Who does that?
So while I was working on the seat one day , up pulls the mail truck. A present from Baraboo!
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So the one that’s on the seat now for the photographs is on loan from the Smithsonian and is going right back!
My Canadian connection really came through for me. Eagle eyed Robin spotted possibly one of the last remaining grab bars for sale on XS Direct. Since XS Direct won’t sell directly to America, Pete is going to make the purchase then chuck it over the great Northern American wall and into the mail.
Thank you Gary for your kind offer of letting my bike look the part by sporting one of your personal grab bars.
Thank you Robin and Pete for your efforts on my behalf, you guys rock!
The members of this forum and their kind hearted generosity once again leave me humbled.
Later,
Bob
 
Oh I forgot to mention, I ordered some new seat pan bumper pads from eBay, forum member Cra-Z1 found some on eBay and pointed them out to me. Not a complete set, but I’m going to replace a couple I damaged when removing them and also add an extra where 2M recommended to help prevent stress cracks.
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Absotivley beeeeautifull Bob. Nice job!

Man, that looks awesome.

Gotta love the XS650 Smithsonian and it's loaner program. This place never ceases to amaze me. The helpfulness, kindness and generosity of its members is truly humbling. Thank you all!

Thanks Robin,
I really appreciate your help sourcing that hand rail. And you’re right, the Smitsonian loaner program is awsome! :laugh2:


The seat turned out very nice. You are doing a fantastic job

Thanks, you’ve been very helpful along the way!
 
THE EXTRACTION TEAM!
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No no no, not that extraction team, The EET or Engine Extraction Team, a term coined by Robin. :laugh2:
This morning Daniel Black came over to my house and after making a run for breakfast we tackled pulling my motor. It turned out to be extraordinarily easy. The hardest part was lifting that lump up onto the bench. She way la!
That things heavy.
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But now that it’s up on my bench I can’t help but think about all the things I should do to it. Oh man, Jim and a Robin are bad influences. They got me thinking I could actually do some work in here. Still thinking.......
I’ll let you know when a plan solidifies.

My wife came out in the garage and she sees the motor up on the bench and she says “Oh.....is that going to be there long?”
Me: Hmmm. Maybe
Her: Are you going to start working on the motor now? “
Me: Hmmm. Maybe
Me: I start talking about seals and gaskets that need to be replaced, and valve guide seals and.....
Her: Eyes glaze over and starts thinking about shoes on sale.

There’s nothing more dangerous than a man with a little bit of ability and big ideas. I’ll keep you posted.
Later, Bob
 
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