Oldschool
XS650 Member
Hello all. I have been a member for some years, but just a viewer as my riding was non-existent all the while. However, I am now retired and hope to revive some of the fun that I used to have on my various bikes. A short story of my background tells about all that is really needed. I am an Iowan for the most part with only a few excursions to other mid-west states for work. Now back in my hometown I am working on making my 1976 XS650C ridable again. It has simply suffered from non use.
I started out by purchasing an R5 350 in 1970. It was the most attractive bike at purple and white that I had ever seen. That feeling lasts to this day, except the bike is long gone. I had it until I purchased a new TX750 in 1973. That bike has been derided in all circles, but it served me well and provided great service for many years. But marriage and kids pretty much ended my riding time and it also had to go. But then I started traveling the mid-west for my job, and as we were moving heavy equipment around a lot, I had no personal transportation when I was on extended stays away from home. My wife was gracious enough to allow the purchase of a 1978 DT250. I could throw it up on the trailers, back of the pick-up, or wherever and have it with me when needed. That was a fun ride that I still miss a lot.
But my work changed in 1981 and I was no longer on the road, so to make it easier to bring my wife with me at times, I purchased a used XS 650, the one mentioned above. It has served well, but it has set mostly, so I have mostly just tried to keep it running these last 20 years. I have hauled and stored it wherever I went for work as I would not part with it as I had my others. The carbs are in rough shape, and the front braking does not work, but I'll get on those soon. I am not a mechanic, but I have done all of my own service on all of my bikes through the years. The information on this site will be a huge benefit in keeping that going. I can say, however, that I do not enjoy the wrenching nearly as much as I used to. It's just harder to reach those low spots and the transitions from sitting to standing take a bit of preparation. So I'll try to keep up with maintenance to a higher degree so that I can avoid some of that effort.
I won't have many months or years to ride it with age nipping at my heals, but I have been working on my balance and strength by riding my bicycle nearly every day. That really helps, but of course it can only do so much. It's the only bike that I have had that wasn't a Yamaha
.
This site is a great escape from the politics and hassles of our current environment. I appreciate the knowledge and giving attitudes of the members here.
I hope that I haven't screwed up this first post. I guess I'll know for sure once I hit the button to post it. Thanks all.
Roy
I started out by purchasing an R5 350 in 1970. It was the most attractive bike at purple and white that I had ever seen. That feeling lasts to this day, except the bike is long gone. I had it until I purchased a new TX750 in 1973. That bike has been derided in all circles, but it served me well and provided great service for many years. But marriage and kids pretty much ended my riding time and it also had to go. But then I started traveling the mid-west for my job, and as we were moving heavy equipment around a lot, I had no personal transportation when I was on extended stays away from home. My wife was gracious enough to allow the purchase of a 1978 DT250. I could throw it up on the trailers, back of the pick-up, or wherever and have it with me when needed. That was a fun ride that I still miss a lot.
But my work changed in 1981 and I was no longer on the road, so to make it easier to bring my wife with me at times, I purchased a used XS 650, the one mentioned above. It has served well, but it has set mostly, so I have mostly just tried to keep it running these last 20 years. I have hauled and stored it wherever I went for work as I would not part with it as I had my others. The carbs are in rough shape, and the front braking does not work, but I'll get on those soon. I am not a mechanic, but I have done all of my own service on all of my bikes through the years. The information on this site will be a huge benefit in keeping that going. I can say, however, that I do not enjoy the wrenching nearly as much as I used to. It's just harder to reach those low spots and the transitions from sitting to standing take a bit of preparation. So I'll try to keep up with maintenance to a higher degree so that I can avoid some of that effort.
I won't have many months or years to ride it with age nipping at my heals, but I have been working on my balance and strength by riding my bicycle nearly every day. That really helps, but of course it can only do so much. It's the only bike that I have had that wasn't a Yamaha
. This site is a great escape from the politics and hassles of our current environment. I appreciate the knowledge and giving attitudes of the members here.
I hope that I haven't screwed up this first post. I guess I'll know for sure once I hit the button to post it. Thanks all.
Roy
