What have you done to your XS today?

bosco659 said:
Out with the 32T rear sprocket and new 34T installed. Couldn't find a 33T 520 chain silver sprocket so the 34T will have to do. Had a chance to clean up some bits around the rear hub while the wheel was off. Hopefully I can test it tomorrow. If I’m not happy with the 34T, XS650Direct advised the 33T should be back in stock this summer. For the curious - the blue thingy in the last pic is the Motion Pro chain alignment tool.



View attachment 239981View attachment 239982}View attachment 239984View attachment 239985
Click to expand...
Just went out for a quick spin. Wish I had removed the chain alignment tool first. Lol. Lucky the hold down screw was plastic - it’s now in two pieces. The SS indicator rod looks like the ZZ Top logo but that can be beaten back into usable form.

Was quite cold out (only 6C) and bike ran well. I didn’t get a chance to take it out on the highway but the long first gear has disappeared. Quick look at the tach / Speedo and at 80 kph it was revving around 3700 in 5th. That’s good because that takes it out of one vibration zone. Revved it up a bit in 3rd to about 6K rpm and it quickly reminded me how much this bike shakes at higher rpm.

Then I took the Ducati around the block. In comparison, a silky smooth motor and yet they have a rep for vibration. Different engines all together but reminds me what a difference 43 years makes in tech development.
 
bosco659 said:
Just went out for a quick spin. Wish I had removed the chain alignment tool first. Lol. Lucky the hold down screw was plastic - it’s now in two pieces. The SS indicator rod looks like the ZZ Top logo but that can be beaten back into usable form.

Was quite cold out (only 6C) and bike ran well. I didn’t get a chance to take it out on the highway but the long first gear has disappeared. Quick look at the tach / Speedo and at 80 kph it was revving around 3700 in 5th. That’s good because that takes it out of one vibration zone. Revved it up a bit in 3rd to about 6K rpm and it quickly reminded me how much this bike shakes at higher rpm.

Then I took the Ducati around the block. In comparison, a silky smooth motor and yet they have a rep for vibration. Different engines all together but reminds me what a difference 43 years makes in tech development.
Click to expand...
I’m afraid I did the exact same thing to my Motion Pro chain alignment tool. It broke my left case cover. I probably don’t need that tool anyway.
 
jetmechmarty said:
I’m afraid I did the exact same thing to my Motion Pro chain alignment tool. It broke my left case cover. I probably don’t need that tool anyway.
Click to expand...
Now I’ll have to look to see if it damaged anything up there. Never thought of looking. I don't think (hope) so. It was on the underside of the sprocket and broke when backing it off of the lift. I heard a snapping sound and found it on the floor. If it did more damage I think it would have stopped the bike from rolling. Will look after dinner with fingers crossed.

Edit: looked with a flashlight and couldn’t see anything unusual. Won’t pull the side case cover unless I notice something unusual. I thing the tool hit the brace on my swingarm and broke free there. I suppose I could recreate the crime scene to validate my theory.
 
Last edited:
Adamc said:
I'm sure i am not alone; but once took off on a CBR600 with the disc lock sill in place!
Not recommended :doh:
Click to expand...
I'm sure more people have done that than ever admit it.

My preventive measure, which has worked so far, I keep the disc lock key on the W800 key ring - that's the bike I'm likely to go into a city or large town and therefore deploy the lock. When I fit the lock, I put the keyring in the disc lock pouch and shove that in my ruck sack. So when I get back to the bike, I have to rescue the keys from the pouch, which reminds me about the lock.
 
Interesting I rarely see disc locks in use around here. I thought about getting one but worried I’d probably forget about it.
Many I’ve seen for sale come with a bright coloured pig tail or lanyard that you’re supposed to loop over your clutch lever or handle bar as a reminder.
 
It's even more embarrassing / annoying when you get astride the bike, your mate hops on the back and you take off down the road, only to be unceremoniously dumped onto the street when the big fuck-off chain you've padlocked through the front wheel makes its presence known.
A slow-mo crash that cracked us both up.
 
Grimly said:
It's even more embarrassing / annoying when you get astride the bike, your mate hops on the back and you take off down the road, only to be unceremoniously dumped onto the street when the big fuck-off chain you've padlocked through the front wheel makes its presence known.
A slow-mo crash that cracked us both up.
Click to expand...
Not just me then…..:lmao:
 
My valve cover has started to leak pretty bad and since I was getting new headers and pipes and redoing the wiring I decided to pull the motor and fix that as well. I got this XS1 6 months ago and wasn’t sure if the indicated 8500 miles was actually real. I pulled the sump filter today to check it out…. Yup I’m guessing it only has 8500 miles lol.

04064524-87FC-49DC-85CE-5F93EBE035B9.jpeg
 
Vincenthdfan said:
Now you can say "I literally bled for that motorcycle!!". 😄

Whatcha going to do with that old tread? What size were you running on the back (I saw the front size).
Click to expand...
LOL.....I'll keep the dirt track tires, maybe put them back on later; this is kinda an experiment for handling on the road. 19" F & R
 

Similar threads

W
She runs! What’s next?
Replies
14
Views
326
Wrenchmorethanride
W
Mailman
The complexity of modern valve trains and maintenance costs
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
Paleomechanic
Paleomechanic
STARCROSSEDMOTO
77-81 XS650 "JADE" Tribute Build
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
JOHNDADDY
JOHNDADDY
Bountiful
Thanks for the warm welcome!
Replies
12
Views
2K
Grumpydog
Grumpydog
GLJ
XS2 Survivor resurection.
5 6 7
Replies
120
Views
11K
GLJ
GLJ
Back
Top