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I am back with a Yamaha
- Thread starter Britman
- Start date
Britman
XS650 Addict
I really don't mind showing my "f*&kups" if it will help someone else who reads this thread in the future with the same type of issue. Here is what I found when I pulled the cover back off this morning, part of the old gasket sitting on top of the new one. It is exactly where the leak was occurring so I am relieved. I would highly recommend when changing out this sump filter, pull the side stand off, only one bolt and a spring provided you have a chopper situation such as I. I would imagine there is a sensor there also for stand position on stock set ups, as we all know on later XS's there is damn near a sensor for everything. With the stand removed and you gain full access to all of the bolts and a lot more visibility.
When you discover a screw up such as this and you are in your mid 70's you question whether or not it is time to find a new hobby. The eyesight is total crap, arthritis makes getting up and down a full time job, and memory is just truly a memory. I guess I will keep plugging at it though. I would give birdwatching a try, but with my vision the bird would have to be pretty good sized for me to record a sighting. I don't think you can count chickens and there are damn few ostriches in Virginia.......
When you discover a screw up such as this and you are in your mid 70's you question whether or not it is time to find a new hobby. The eyesight is total crap, arthritis makes getting up and down a full time job, and memory is just truly a memory. I guess I will keep plugging at it though. I would give birdwatching a try, but with my vision the bird would have to be pretty good sized for me to record a sighting. I don't think you can count chickens and there are damn few ostriches in Virginia.......
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If you give it up for a chair in front of the TV, you will very soon see yourself truly circling the drain. Soldier on! Fight to the end!
badlegbill
XS650 Enthusiast
As a mere youngster of 70 who daily regrets a diminishing grip on objects and perhaps on reality, although we both know it is the youngsters who have no idea whats coming next, I can only say that we should make a habit of checking when we can because by now we know we can cock up almost anything we do or touch.
I love people who check, my least favourite phrase is " i didn't think" as in " I didn't think it would do that" because they offer that as an excuse not an apology for not thinking what might happen.
If you are not going to sit down and waste the time you have left then I applaud your choice of an XS650.
Like me you don't need to f*&k about with old british motorcycles or badly designed american ones every weekend, we just want to ride on good days with friends and it is a great choice for that.
If you are going to spend time sitting a saddle is as good a place as any and these days you can take a video player , camera and music device with you.
My daughter insisted and I would encourage anybody to get a bluetooth helmet, you don't have to talk to anybody if you don't want but they add depth to rides.
I love people who check, my least favourite phrase is " i didn't think" as in " I didn't think it would do that" because they offer that as an excuse not an apology for not thinking what might happen.
If you are not going to sit down and waste the time you have left then I applaud your choice of an XS650.
Like me you don't need to f*&k about with old british motorcycles or badly designed american ones every weekend, we just want to ride on good days with friends and it is a great choice for that.
If you are going to spend time sitting a saddle is as good a place as any and these days you can take a video player , camera and music device with you.
My daughter insisted and I would encourage anybody to get a bluetooth helmet, you don't have to talk to anybody if you don't want but they add depth to rides.
Three words of advise. More light, stronger glasses and Ibuprofen.
My smartphone has a magnifier on it. I’ve had the phone for years and only just discovered the function.
Yeah? Well my flip phone doesn't!
A 10X magnifying glass should do it. I have a couple of those as well.
badlegbill
XS650 Enthusiast
Hi youngster.
The sun is only so strong.
Your glasses just let you find your magnifying glass, a credit card magnifier can be kept unnoticeably in your phone case
If you take Ibruprofen regularly you need to take omeprazole or an equivalent to protect your stomach lining which delays the onset of IBS ( ask your dad).
But thanks for the advice, the young know so much.
The sun is only so strong.
Your glasses just let you find your magnifying glass, a credit card magnifier can be kept unnoticeably in your phone case
If you take Ibruprofen regularly you need to take omeprazole or an equivalent to protect your stomach lining which delays the onset of IBS ( ask your dad).
But thanks for the advice, the young know so much.
"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Dylan Thomas
It was a half assed attempt at humor (or humour to you) and a way of saying "Don't give up". Trust me, I can't see crap anymore without a strong light directly on something. I have to use a small LED magnetic based light 6" away to be able to weld, and that's using high quality auto darkening welding helmet. Hang in there.
I tried that and I find that my NEBO SLIM works better for me. Thanks!Continuing the thread-drift/Hi-jack.....
https://www.jbtools.com/steck-23240-mig-led-light
View attachment 233951
I lay out a thick urethane pad on the floor. I take a calming sip of coffee. I gentlly lay down on my back with a groan and scooch in to look at the bottom of the crankcase and gently clean what I can. After I manage to get up, I place the pad on the otherside of the bike and repeat the process. I don't have a centerstand.
I wish I would have known this stuff existed weeks ago
Well I do now !!
Great tip. I had to repair a couple last summer but had a helicoil kit on hand.
I like this. I have trouble seeing in lower light conditions when welding and this may help. I’d imagine it wouldn’t last long with all the spatter nearby. Fairly inexpensive so may try it out.Continuing the thread-drift/Hi-jack.....
https://www.jbtools.com/steck-23240-mig-led-light
View attachment 233951
I also have a Nebo. Maybe I could try that on my helmet if I could find an articulating mount I could stick on my helmet.
And a bike lift. Wasn't convinced but bought one a few years back and it really helps - much less need for rolling around on the cold concrete floor to get at areas under the bike.
Putting the bike on the lift is a faff and lowering the stand & taking the bike off is a bit ooh err. Plus my lift has developed a hydraulic leak so I can only get it up half way now.
Ahem, still talking bike lifts here . . .
Britman
XS650 Addict
I bought a Honda CL77 project a few years back from a guy in Tennessee. He had picked the bike up in a trade and really was not into motorcycles at all since he restored "Shoe Box Chevys". He threw in a "Horrible Freight" bike lift in the deal that he got with the bike and I must say I don't think I could work on bikes now without one. I have modified it a few times to keep it going, even made a wooden extension for the front to get my Honda Chopper up in the air. If I lay in the floor now days, there damn sure better be a garage stool or jack stand around to help getting back up, or I am there for the duration. Now let me see if I can find that magnifying function on the smart phone............
Britman
XS650 Addict
We have color. I had forgotten how much epoxy paint produces overspray. Shot these in the garage this morning and the whole floor is sticky. I am satisfied but of course I found a few places that will need a little touch up once the wheel hit direct sunlight. Any second coating will have to wait at least a week now for full cure, but I have an abundance of time. I also stripped down the front master cylinder that was frozen. After a good clean and slight honing it came right back using the original rubber bits, finally money saved somewhere. I pulled the fake oil tank and started checking the wiring, who ever did the original set up was very neat, good connectors and everything shrink wrapped, "BUT", he must have cleaned out his wire drawer. Many different colors and splices, sometimes three different colors in one run, thank goodness for that abundance of time thing.....
