THE COMMUNITY BIKE
I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to some specific people who really helped me on my rebuild. I never would’ve attempted such a build without the support of the great guys on this forum. So...in no particular order, to the members that so generously parted with their precious stash of hard to find parts, out of their sincere desire to help me achieve my goals , a special thank you to...
Gary Goetz ( Wisconsin) for supplying me with an exchange cylinder, already bored, with matching pistons and rings.
Steve Buss ( don’t mess with Texas ) really unobtainable speedometer parts, and one of my favorite pieces on my bike, his custom made , machined friction steering damper. ( just call me XS2M)
Pete Frise ( Ontario Ca) for gifting me a new , impossible to find, seat handrail. Shipped to me on the Canadian Underground Railroad!
Jim Dent ( Missouri) supplied a new OEM cam chain guide and turned my valves on his mighty Atlas
Daniel Black ( Arizona) my buddy, new clutch assembly, handlebar switchgear, and helped me R+R my motor
Ken Hansen ( New York ) Ken is so great, his old XS2 lives on in I don’t know how many other bikes, he sent me switch gear parts, starter motor parts, and a steel front brake line. And has offered me more. Thanks Ken!
5Twins ( New York ) Bob supplied me with a steering head lock from a TX500 , that he modified to fit my bike. He worked hard on it and I really appreciate having it. Thank you!
Gary Ward ( Queensland Australia ) Gary just wanted to pass on a little good Karma and be part of my build.
He sent me the metal Yamaha decal for my brake caliper. Thanks Gary, I want you to know, you inspired me to pay it forward. Thanks buddy!
David Jones ( Missouri ) he custom made a mold and hand crafted the seat foam on my bike. I feel lucky to have it.
Robin Cecil ( London Ontario ) he gave me some carburetor parts, he located the seat rail that Pete got for me, and he made me a custom tool ( the Sprocket Locket from 2M industries) that I used to install my front sprocket. It was the first tool I put in my tool box when I got it, and it is top center , where I can always see it.
Randy Tobin, ( Oregon). Supplied me with all new rubber parts for my tail light assembly, and some cool garage art too!
Thank you all!
Those guys supplied me with parts, but that’s just part of the picture. The coaches and mentors are what really put me over the top, so again in no particular order, a thank you to all the guys who really walked me through the technical aspects of this build.
5Twins, not just me, but you help anyone who is willing to learn. You explain things in a clear and easy to understand way and usually support your tutorials with excellent photos. My charging system and brakes and steering head bearings and on and on were built on the foundation that you laid. Thanks buddy!
Gary, you were the first guy I consulted when I was going to look at my XS2, you have really come through for me when I was in a pinch and you are always a reliable source of good information. And you’re just an all around cool dude!
Jim , took me ( ( and Robin ) under his wing and really helped us through our engine builds. Many was the time I would pester Jim with questions and he was always the patient teacher. His engine build tech article is better than the Hans Pahl book.
Thanks Jim, you’re the best!
2M, talk about homework, dude you made me read until my eyes were bleeding. But more importantly you made me learn. Sometimes ( ok most times) I’m not performing on the same technical level that you are. But you really made me want to understand the intricacies of how things work. And the way you tore into your own spare speedometer to show me how to get into mine, and then sent me spare parts. That was way above the call of duty.
I owe you a BBQ dinner! Thanks man!
Pete, I think you were the very first person to talk to me when I poked my head in this forum, even before I had a 650, I was just asking about them. You’ve been encouraging me ever since and have become a solid friend, I enjoyed the opportunity to meet you face to face.
Skull, you are a living archive of all things XS650, you have been so helpful when I’ve tried to identify distinctions between parts for various years, and your work on the wiring diagrams is amazingly helpful.
Yamadude, Jeff, you have always been a source of support and encouragement to me, you have a lot of experience and you have made some very helpful suggestions when I’ve been stuck.
Machine, Randy, I was also delighted to meet you personally on your trip to Arizona last winter. You have been a constant source of good cheer and a good friend, and you are becoming quite the restorer, maybe you need to open a shop!
GLJ, it was really fun doing simultaneous XS2 builds. You’re a fun guy and gave me some good insights along the way, particularly with my wiring.
All you guys that cheered me on and gave me encouragement along the way, I want you to know how much it meant to me. I have also enjoyed watching you go through your projects
Willis
Mr. Bultaco
Geedubya
MrTwo wheel
ScriptoVU
Meddy
Azman
Halfmile
Fred
Downeaster
Superjet
59Tebo
Rasputin
Cra-Z1
Oddjob
WBacon
2Xsive
Thank you all, if I’ve missed anyone ,please forgive me, this has been a very long thread. But know your support was appreciated.
Wow! What a trip this has been.
Bob