Memory Lane

[Shelby]

Were it me, I'd just set 'em out on the driveway and let the gas evaporate.... reinstall, done.

Well, they DID get a good gas rinse, that's for sure!

 

[Shelby]

It's time for tires! Tubes finally came in -- were on back-order -- and Rusty is now in the capable hands of the guys at Busted Knuckles. My history with carbs is only OK, so I'm having them do her carbs while she's there. Couple guys at the shop know XS 650s and were happy enough to see her in the shop, made me happy. They've going to go over the front forks and lower them a bit while they're in, and they have some shorter shocks and are going drop her down a little for me and fix the center stand to compensate while she's there. Hopefully I'm going to ride her home in a bit over a week. I'm ready. So's the garage. Cleaned out a few hundred pounds of STUFF while we were waiting on the tires to come in. I'm excited.

 

[5twins]

If they plan on lowering the forks by simply sliding the tubes up in the triple clamps, just be aware that you can't go much or you run the risk of the fender hitting the lower tree upon full fork compression. I lower mine a little, about 1/4" .....

 

[Shelby]

If they plan on lowering the forks by simply sliding the tubes up in the triple clamps, just be aware that you can't go much or you run the risk of the fender hitting the lower tree upon full fork compression. I lower mine a little, about 1/4" .....

View attachment 327902

View attachment 327903

Never tried lowering forks, but I know you can't get a lot. After sculpting the seat, I can get my feet on the ground OK, but she's not as comfortable a feel as the '82 was -- '82 was a good bit lower. Or I've shrunk (more than I thought I had).

 

[Jim]

Or I've shrunk (more than I thought I had).

Yeah... there's a bit of that goin' around.

 

[Shelby]

Yeah... there's a bit of that goin' around.

Yeah really. I've tried hanging upside down like a bat. Doesn't help much -- I didn't stretch back to my former not very tall height at all -- but it did give me a way different view of the crud on Rusty's frame that still needed to be cleaned out. Much de-greaser was needed... and a putty knife in places.