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You have to put spacers under the hinge and under the latch, to keep the seat level. I got some peel and stick rubber bumpers from the hardware store and stuck them to my frame, so the stock rubber seat bumpers rest on them, to support the set. Its all flat and level, just a little taller than...

My bike still looks like it did in the most recent photo I posted in this thread. I stopped after swapping to round mirrors and the old style tank badges. My bike already had the wire spoke wheels though. I gout used to the way the side covers look, and they don't bother me any more. I've...

Yes, my 1979 Special II has the same welded bracket for the seat 'prop up stick'. That's exactly why I used the spacers between the standard seat and hinges, so that it would close over top of the bracket, since I didn't want to cut the bracket off of the frame. If you get longer bolts and...

If its a 45 incher, it would only be worth ~10,000-12,000 in restored condition. If its really a 74 incher, then its worth something. The 74'' bikes are RARE, and you can't practically convert a 45'' to 74''. That bike looks like it has all the right pieces and didn't get ruined by someone...

It takes about 2 minutes to test the charging system... Start the bike, and put a volt meter on the battery at idle. What is the reading? It should be ~12v. Rev the bike up to 3,500 RPM. What is the reading? If its not 13.5-14v you have a problem. Like previously mentioned, your...

Anything other than the stock charging system is overkill for a bike with no lights... since all it will be doing is making the plugs spark. If you aren't running lights, you certainly don't need a battery. You pretty much just need a regulator/rectifier, capacitor, and ignition (points/PAMCO...

I have no experience with a motorcycle tow-behind camper... but why not just buy a tent and some nice camping gear?? It would be WAY cheaper than $4000, and it wont ruin your ride.

I don't think ANY chopped up xs650 is worth $5000... but that's just me. There are some really good looking powder coats out there. I have seen some killer aluminum and brass powder coat finishes, and I would have never even known they were powder unless I was told. I bet someone can do...

While I generally consider 'bobbing' and 'chopping' pre-1980 xs650's to be a bad idea, that 'Panhead' one looks more ride-able than most of the bobbers I see on this forum. It has a spring seat, nice big fenders, mufflers, windshield, saddlebags, front brake, decent handlebars and riding...

Good to know, thanks!

What makes it a rare, one year only, bike? I'm curious because I too have a 1979 xs650 Special with the spoked wheels... and I never realized that there was anything special about it. Cool! Didn't they also make the Special model in 1978?? I know that a LOT changed in 1980 though...

I'm just curious... How is a title going to help you if it doesn't match the VIN stamped on your frame?? If there is a legal work around for this I would definitely like to know!

Also, I didn't realize that the Ok to MS part was less-extreme. I guess the Colorado part is hardest? I'm really looking forward to hearing bout your experience. When are you planning to do the ride?

That sounds like a fun plan. What company are you using to ship the bikes?

I'm also hoping to ride the TAT (I assume when you said "trans Am trail", you meant this: http://www.transamtrail.com/ ??)within the next year or two. I'm building up a 1978 Yamaha XT500 for the journey. I'll be really interested to hear your experiences. Do you have much off road riding...

I'm in medical school, and work in a hospital in a major city. You would not believe how mangled a lot of patients are when they come in from being in motorcycle accidents. There have been MANY studies done on protective gear, and they mostly agree: If wearing a DOT approved helmet, you are...

I'll dig through my notes this weekend and try to find it. No race required, just a bearing. I swapped the bearings out on a 1964-72 Harley drum brake front wheel, going from its original 17mm ID to a 3/4'' ID. Later model Harleys used a 3/4'' front axle but I wanted to use the old style...

The 17mm is easily changed to 3/4'' by swapping out the wheel bearings. In general, you can change the wheel bearings on any motorcycle wheel to whatever internal diameter you need.

If you want disc brakes, the Harley wheels and beakes are going to be the way to go. You can pick up a used HD wheel for around $60-80, and a used caliper and rotor for another $80. Another way to go would be to use a wheel with a mechanical drum brake hub... That way all you need to buy is a...

I'm probably too far away from you for it to work out, but I'm selling one of my xt500's. (I'm in central Maryland) Its a 1978, and its all original except for the tail light, which is a plastic replacement unit. It has 13,200 miles and everything on the bike works. It still has all of the...