New Member

[Manic]

Hi all, New member!

I just retired in September and had a couple of XS650’s in my youth. I’ve always loved them and recently acquired a 1971 XS1B. The bike is in fairly decent shape with a few ding and scratches that would be expected from a non-restored unit. But I want to go through her and bring her back to her original beauty. Something along the lines of Mailman’s bike! That bike is gorgeous! I also acquired a 1975 Tracker that’s a looker! But it also needs some work. Supposedly it’s got 750 barrels on her and I have no reason to doubt it. It’s a cool bike! Just needs some finishing touches.
Anyways, glad to find the site and will be here a lot!

 

[Jim]

Pic or it didn't happen...

Oh, and welcome aboard!! You gonna start build threads, like @Mailman ?

 

[Manic]

Pic or it didn't happen...

Oh, and welcome aboard!! You gonna start build threads, like @Mailman ?

I tried adding a couple of pics. But my browser blocks cookies, so they wouldn’t upload? I tried to figure out how to disable that feature for this site. But apparently I’m not savvy enough to figure it out?

 

[Jim]

What browser you using?

 

[Mailman]

By the way, you might enjoy this beautiful restoration project. Good reference material too!

https://www.xs650.com/threads/1971-build-for-dad.59072/

 

[Manic]

What browser you using?

DuckDuckGo. It’s pretty good for not being tracked. But sometime gets in the way.
I’m sure there’s a setting. I just haven’t figured it out yet

 

[Manic]

By the way, you might enjoy this beautiful restoration project. Good reference material too!

https://www.xs650.com/threads/1971-build-for-dad.59072/

I will definitely be going through that one!!!

Thanks!

 

[Jim]

DuckDuckGo. It’s pretty good for not being tracked. But sometime gets in the way.
I’m sure there’s a setting. I just haven’t figured it out yet

Give Brave a try. It's got all the privacy/security features you'll ever need... and it's user friendly.
...and fast!! It's the fastest browser I've ever used.

Also, the easiest way to put pics up here is to just copy and paste or drag and drop. This site is very user friendly that way.

https://brave.com/

 

[650Skull]

Welcome

I run DuckDuckGo with no problem posting pics. On my laptop I use an external hard drive for all my XS stuff.

Open folder required, then drag and drop pics. On my phone, (DuckDuckGo) it is a bit different, (no folders), but still easy to post pics.

 

[Kevin Werner]

My browser(?) is google or bing or whatever the f$%k come up so I have to call my bank once a week and explain I did not get a parking ticket in NYC, I did not drive a tollway in Massechusets in Sept and I dont know Amir Bombwearer in Iran and their charges (pardon the pun) are bogus.

 

[Kevin Werner]

Welcome...
New to you bike info on this site is great. Search and check the Tech section. Always start with electrical. Know your battery and charging systems are good to go. All the electric connections are 40-55 years old, clean them at the very least. The ignition switch has been sitting there for a generation or two collecting dirt and every time a key is inserted that dirt is pushed down towards the contacts. Take some quality time this winter, open up the switch and clean it out. Trust me here. A change to exhaust or intake may need some rejetting. That sounds daunting and it most certainly was to me 3 short years ago. Now I can rejet my carbs in 7 minutes per carb. These bikes are 40-55 years old and your previous owner (PO) or some distant PO may have fiddled. These bikes are robust but do need some care and maintenance. Pics really do help... The start of my last project below.... See how I did not post a pic of my Red Bike here

 

[Downeaster]

Welcome!

 

[JJames]

My browser(?) is google or bing or whatever the f$%k come up so I have to call my bank once a week and explain I did not get a parking ticket in NYC, I did not drive a tollway in Massechusets in Sept and I dont know Amir Bombwearer in Iran and their charges (pardon the pun) are bogus.

That's the one I got?!

 

[JJames]

Welcome Manic (Mechanic). Sounds like you got a couple serviceable machines there. Read and ask questions here before you dig-in and/or buy/throw parts at the bikes. Tech and old posts can save you $, time and frustration. Is far as posting pics, if I can do it, you'll figure it out. Have fun

 

[Manic]

That's the one I got?!

That’s why i went with the server I use!

 

[Manic]

Welcome...
New to you bike info on this site is great. Search and check the Tech section. Always start with electrical. Know your battery and charging systems are good to go. All the electric connections are 40-55 years old, clean them at the very least. The ignition switch has been sitting there for a generation or two collecting dirt and every time a key is inserted that dirt is pushed down towards the contacts. Take some quality time this winter, open up the switch and clean it out. Trust me here. A change to exhaust or intake may need some rejetting. That sounds daunting and it most certainly was to me 3 short years ago. Now I can rejet my carbs in 7 minutes per carb. These bikes are 40-55 years old and your previous owner (PO) or some distant PO may have fiddled. These bikes are robust but do need some care and maintenance. Pics really do help... The start of my last project below.... See how I did not post a pic of my Red Bike hereView attachment 339247

Thanks! Will do

 

[Manic]

Welcome Manic (Mechanic). Sounds like you got a couple serviceable machines there. Read and ask questions here before you dig-in and/or buy/throw parts at the bikes. Tech and old posts can save you $, time and frustration. Is far as posting pics, if I can do it, you'll figure it out. Have fun

Will do! Believe me, coming from 45 years of wrenching on cars & bikes (and every appliance in the house) has taught me patients is the best virtue.

 

[Manic]

Got it! Thanks all for the tips!!!!

 

[Manic]

Welcome Manic (Mechanic). Sounds like you got a couple serviceable machines there. Read and ask questions here before you dig-in and/or buy/throw parts at the bikes. Tech and old posts can save you $, time and frustration. Is far as posting pics, if I can do it, you'll figure it out. Have fun

Thanks! If you’re referring to the ZZ Top song? Yes! A friend of mine gave me that nickname back in 1981 after I worked on his bike. And yes, he got it from the song

 

[Manic]

Also, just noticed my profile shows I’m in N. CA. That’s funny because I just relocated to Pittsburgh, PA where I lived as a kid, from N. CA. Sacramento area to be precise. Lived there and the Bay Area for 55 of my last 62 years. But family’s mostly here now. Here’s some of my other projects. All bikes I’ve had in the past that I always wanted to have again . The RZ is a 1990 Canadian model that I just picked up in British Columbia last month after buying it on an auction. I was looking for an 84 or 85 which I had and raced both of back at the time. But people want crazy money for ones that aren’t even clean, in the states. This one’s cherry! As is the 1970 R5 350 which was my first street bike when I got my license in 74. The RD’s not bad either. Just needs some TLC.