The new life of a 72' XS II - Build thread

[Heinz Ketchup]

I replaced all bearings when I originally rebuilt the engine 8 years ago, unfortunately i haven’t really ridden more than 10k kilometres, thanks to my various mechanical/electrical/structural problems, I’m guessing it’s mostly why the bearings aren’t showing signs of heavy use, should be good for at least an other 10k.
The bearings which came with the transmission are also in good shape should I need temporary replacements, or maybe make a mechanical lamp from them

 

[Heinz Ketchup]

Been testing the bike for 500 km, the gearbox is starting to settle in, I'm enjoying having a reliable 2nd gear for the for first, it's such a joy! great offroad.
Broke the clutch cable on a recent trip (the new stronger clutch springs might have something to do with this, but the cable were 9 years old), luckily had a repair kit with me, so 15 min. at a servo and I was back on the road.

Ordered new throttle cable and clutch cable, also new 520 chain, fitting 17T front sprocket and 34T rear (tried the 36T and it's too radical for road use, great offroad, 33T is great for road but could slightly improve offroad) - the new 5th gear overdrive is great, makes a surprisingly big difference even though the old excel sheet from the group for the impact of different gearings indicates the 5th OD gear doesn't seems that impressive.
Naturally also ordered a new rear tire as the old Continental TKC 80 is worn down.

Been struggling with fake air for ages, when I push the right carb straight down it seals and revs settles in (Thinking it's between carb and head), sometimes I fix it for longer periods, but it always comes back...

I've decided to give myself the rest of the month to fix it or order new carbs, currently looking at mikuni VM34 from Heiden tuning with the metal intake manifolds, preferably with the original xs2 airbox - but might end with something else (the kit from Heiden has some poor XS performance pod filters)

Also been using the Beeline Moto 2 for the past month, I've really been enjoying it, great minimal navigation which doesn't disturb while riding, easy to use with the phone.

I've also signed up for wheels and waves In Biarritz, France in June - so riding the 4000 km (direct route, no de tours which will naturally happen) round trip from Denmark, plus the riding at the event - so I would like the bike to be reliable for the ride

 

[jetmechmarty]

Also been using the Beeline Moto 2 for the past month, I've really been enjoying it, great minimal navigation which doesn't disturb while riding, easy to use with the phone.

I asked that Beeline to take me to Tupelo for lunch a couple weeks ago. 206 miles round trip. All on roads I never would have found on my own.

 

[Heinz Ketchup]

4700 km around Europe - Got a chance to use the beeline for a little trip hehehe

I just got back a few hours ago from a great trip to South France, Biarritz, where I raced at the wheels and waves festival in the vintage rally, pre 1975 category and well rode there and back 4700 km only on country roads

Two weeks total for riding and Wednesday to Sunday festival.
I ended getting Heiden tunings vm34 kit with metal carb holders, within 2 hours I had the old carbs off and new ones running great, started the trip the next day.

I’ll get more in to the trip later, which included doing big mx jumps, pretending to be baguette napoleon, loosing my headlight on the road and replacing too many bolts and nuts - I filmed most of the trip, so in a month or two or three there should be a film up.




Didn’t plan much, just asked for two weeks off work, signed up for the rally and bought my festival tickets, used the beeline for navigation.

 

[Heinz Ketchup]

I’ve been quite busy, I look back at the videos and pictures from the France trip remembering the fun, but also motivating me dedicating some time to editing it, soon…

Been riding back home in Denmark, shortly after returning I started having electrical problems, with power “outages” until it completely died late at night on my way back from a trip to Rømø Motorfestival where people race pre war cars and bikes, some of my friends raced an old nimbus.

Since getting it home I found out it was just the capacitor that gave out - I’ve been riding a bit without it, but I need to replace it soon with a battery or a new capacitor, before the other components gets damaged by the spikes and dips created by the pma.

I’ve also begun my search for a classic mini, to expand my headache with old engines.