Seat and tail light sources

Raymond said:
Will never forget ferrying mate Calum from Inverness to St Andrews on a Z1B with a 2:4 sports seat, looked a lot like that. Two grown blokes,we was so cramped up close, rider sitting almost on the tank, pillion squished up against the seat hump, swapped rider/pillion at each cigarette / cramp relief stop. And as Calum smoked a ciggie at each stop, we was probably stood a little bit further away from each other than usual.
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Good one! We hiked much of the Way several years back and I must say that the Scot riders we witnessed were a hardy lot for sure!
 
Raymond said:
Will never forget ferrying mate Calum from Inverness to St Andrews on a Z1B with a 2:4 sports seat, looked a lot like that. Two grown blokes,we was so cramped up close, rider sitting almost on the tank, pillion squished up against the seat hump, swapped rider/pillion at each cigarette / cramp relief stop. And as Calum smoked a ciggie at each stop, we was probably stood a little bit further away from each other than usual.
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Buddy an' me took a Daytona 400 from Ft Walton in Fla to N Orleans and back. Took turns in the front pit. Gotta say... that ranks up as one of the most miserable rides I ever took.

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I gotta say, the XS650 Special is a very comfortable ride right out of the box without regard to the handlebars. I recently did 9 solid hours on mine without issue. The seat is good. The seat to peg position is good. I’m 6’3” and 210 lbs. If you can stand the look of it, it’s great. All that said, the 78/79 Special is easier to modify as it lacks the steep angles and the fat grab bar and the brick tail light.
 
Back in the day, 1972, I wanted an XS-2. I was 13 years old. Every year after that, I wanted an XS650. In 1983, I learned production of XS650 had ceased. I was a college student in Florida. I had under roof parking. I justified it and bought a new XS650. By then, there was only the Heritage Special. That’s what I bought. Given choice, I’d probably have picked a standard. The Special has grown on me and they are multiplying in my garage. I still have the original I purchased in 1983.
 
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This is the little assembly I'd made with some 1 inch square tubing (1/16 wall) and a couple little aluminum spacers. Bolted to the stock rear fender. I used mild steel because this was a long time ago and I didn't know how to TIG weld back then. If I decide to re-use this setup I will get stainless tube next time.

I also got this other light at a swap meet, I may run this instead and maybe split the Caddy taillights and have one on each side. Not sure yet.

But anyways, here are not-so-crappy pictures of my taillight setup I had before I got bored and took my bike all apart.
 
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jetmechmarty said:
Ah! So we have to wait until you get bored and put it back together before we see the bike.
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No... now we have to wait for me to get un-busy with springtime yard work and house stuff. And also money. Damn am I broke. Homeownership is rough on other-stuff ownership.
 

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