What have you done to your XS today?

Put the new battery in WJL fired on second kick and rode to town and back. Will have to ride bit more, fill with fresh gas, but it was running "pretty good".
Nice to be out n about on the old gal. Chilly here, cloudy highs upper 40's lower 50s this week.
 
On my '83, the tach cable was routed around the outside of the side reflector and that put a noticeable "bulge" in it .....

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The replacement tach I installed was lagging at first and I thought this might have something to do with it. I removed the reflector but it had no effect on the tach. Eventually the tach came around by itself. I guess it just needed some run time after years of sitting around to loosen up again. But, I still didn't like that tach cable routing and the "bulge", so I fixed it. I took a Dremel with a sanding roll and notched out the reflector housing so the cable could run straight through it .....

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Also replaced the rear drum shoes, and started de-rusting the tank for my best build. Received wheel bearings, jets, and tach dwell meter so I can get the points adjusted in on my TX. Picked up some iridium plugs for the tx hopefully to help its hard starts. Installed the arc ignition module in the TX and changed the right ignition coil. As well as started getting my blue 80 prepped for the motor rebuild.
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Well that is just.... ride the bike in reverse everywhere??
The only consolidation i can give you is that at least you didn't pop a spoke while lacing up a new 64 spoke rim. And a 12 gauge spoke nipple for a motorcycle is apparently rare as can be... anyone maybe by chance have a few spare ones for a heritage? The spoke is fine, but it stripped out the threads on the nipple. I'm not entirely keen on spending 80$ at mikes for a new set or around 130$ at Buchanan's. technically 3 of mine need to be replaced due to the spoke rounding off, but regardless i cannot find either the part number or even aftermarket ones in the right size..
 
Well I need the front set, but still 50$! screaming good deal. Thank you 5Twins, your knowledge astounds me sometimes. Would really enjoy a few conversations with you since you seems to have some of the best insight into the odds and ends of these machines.
 
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Between rain showers I got the 79 run tested out pretty good. It still needs finishing cosmetically (side covers next) but the engine runs tuned like a champion, even through 5th gear. The handlebar and riding position is Awesome!
2021 tags from my sold F150 lol, no front brake line from the MC to the splitter. Still, even in the rain this was a pleasurable day!
New (to me) riding gear.
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Ran very good ! Hardly a drip anywhere. Made it home in the rain.
-R

Are the tags from an f150 not different? In NY motorcycle plates are much smaller than car or truck plates?
 
Interesting. Hope to learn from your experience as a long time OEM Sumitomo believer.
Do you have a lead on where to get them? Years ago I got a set from mikes, I think the oem stopped better for me. I'm not worried about longevity. Also the rear locks up easy I wonder if its the oem pads. Maybe I'll switch front and rear pads.
 
To be honnest the "made in Japan" engraving sounds strange to me, that will attract scale.... Don't see the point, apart for being well aligned of course !

(Question, you can see from my writing that i'm French ?)
Well, only from the double "N"s in honest. And that it says Paris, France under your avatar!
 
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I put new tires on and promptly rode to Myrtle Beach from Lake Lanier on Tuesday and came back Wednesday. All back roads. No main highways. Most of the ride was ~55MPH. Never again! The tires were great, though. This is the 1st time I tried Dunlops, instead of Avon. We will see how long they last. 100/90 front and 120/90 rear.

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I put new tires on and promptly rode to Myrtle Beach from Lake Lanier on Tuesday and came back Wednesday. All back roads. No main highways. Most of the ride was ~55MPH. Never again! The tires were great, though. This is the 1st time I tried Dunlops, instead of Avon. We will see how long they last. 100/90 front and 120/90 rear.

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I have same tires new front and about to get a new rear. Idk if mine has the red sripe. Does that mean anything?
 
Joebgd, I have no idea. They wear off in no time flat. I did learn something, though.
I used to always change my own tires, but 2 Winters ago I attempted to change the rear, but gave up. They were either too stiff or I was getting weaker. Brought the wheel and tire to the local bike shop and they did it. Well, I had them do the front tire for me saturday, but didn't have time to get the rear off, (Job), and figured they could do it Monday. Oh, fudge, they're closed Sunday and Monday. Well, I've been working out, so I attempted it on Monday myself. Piece a cake! Thanks to the Sun. I put them on the driveway in the Sun. Nice and warm, and it came off quicker than a new bride's nighty, and went on easy, too! Getting the valve through the hole is still a little tricky.

The Dunlops, handle great. The Avon's were getting a little , (or a lot worn out), so the differrence was night and day. Good luck with yours!
 
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