Finally got to ride the thing!
Well, not today but a few days ago. I bought an imported '82 SJ in September and spent the winter months getting it roadworthy and making a few little changes. On Wednesday last week, it went in for its MOT test in readiness for getting registered, so I finally got to ride it, to and from the shop in Bath that did the MOT, about a 25-mile round trip.
Wednesday morning - got on the 2011 Ducati Multistrada that's my normal road bike and rode the 5 miles to the garage where I keep the XS650. Get one bike out, put the other in, start her up - first kick
) A few mins of warming and off we go ....
First impressions: small, low and light compared to the Ducati, felling somewhat sat on rather than in, but with a VERY comfortable (if ugly) seat. Surprisingly smooth for a parallel twin. Feel on the road was really solid - I feared it was going to be a bit skittery, but good feedback from the front, and solid at the back - neutral, good handling. This is what I was hoping for; rebuilt the forks with Minton mods + 1/2" extra preload (a stack of 25mm washers) and preload set to max, taper roller head bearings, needle roller swinging arm and 340mm Hagon adjustable shocks set on the stiff side. BT45 tyres feel nicely attached to the road.
Front brake leaves plenty to be desired so a smaller bore m/c is on the shopping list, but the rear drum is fine, with good feel.
Footpegs are too far forward, I like my feet under my bum so I'll look out for rear sets, same as I did on my old Commando for the same reason.
On the downside, the big issue is that neutral is virtually impossible to find when stationary with the motor running, and not that easy when on the move. I've been careful to adjust the clutch correctly, cleaned and greased the worm, new lubed-up cable etc. so I guess I'll have to have the clutch cover off and start poking around in there to work out WTF is wrong come oil change time.
I haven't touched the motor yet except to set the valve clearances and fit a Heiden Tuning oil filter; there's a weep at the head/barrel so I know I'll have it apart at some point but it doesn't seem to affect compression and I want to ride a while first. The PO left it with the correct amount of new oil, so I figure I'll run it for a couple of hundred miles and then change (and carefully inspect!) the oil, replace the sump filter (Heiden Tuning again) and fart about with the clutch & gear selection at that point.
Am I a lot poorer than I thought I might be? Errrrr .... yup. More than I'd admit to the wife. By a country mile. Am I happy? Damned right I am. I've enjoyed getting my hands dirty again, It's fun to ride and I have many more changes planned ... it's going to be a long and enjoyable journey! And today I sent the form and documents to the DVLA to get her registered so I'll be properly on the road soon.
Work in progress