You know, I bought this 75 three years ago. Had it delivered from Minnesota to me here in the Northwest (pic below is that day 3 years ago almost to the day!).
I looked it over pretty well, found some questionable mechanical assembly on the engine mounts, etc so I kind of back burnered it and just looked at it as "Shop Art/Decoration" for the last 3 years.
Oh, I knew it ran well and everything, but inside of tank needed some TLC, petcocks needed rebuilt from coagulated fuel, etc.
Well, I figured it was indeed time to get it out before the dark, wet rainy season hits for another Winter.
Tanks all cleaned, petcocks are sorted, fires up and runs great. Mechanicals are all sorted and verified.
However, I've been dabbling with different exhausts because I didn't want to internally rust the original exhaust that was on the bike.....yes, its that minty and nice. They're so hard to come by, this set can just get tagged and set aside on the shelf for the time being.
I installed single wall head pipes with the tipped up ends and put on Commando style slip ons...not quite enough sound (more on that later).
Installed shorty megaphones with internal noise reducer....yeah, right!
Way too damn loud.
Installed some Dunstall look alikes, way too loud too...I suspect all the packings blown out.
Then I remembered I had an OEM set of Triumph Bonnie mufflers in my garage unused. Tried them on, still not the sound I was looking for...weird tinny popping sound too.
Man I sound like a picky bastard dont I?
I just want something to sound like my XS-1 without spending almost a grand from Mikes XS for a reproduction set of early exhaust that fits a 75, ok?!
Went back to the Commando slip ons and rode the bike literally all day long today!
It was pure bliss. The roll-on note is so seductive you just want to keep rolling into the 3-4k RPM zone over and over again...you guys know the spot Im talking about. This exhaust set up is just like ya'all said it was a long time ago...just right.
One other thing I noted when bonding with this bike today. Previous owner mentioned he used taller gearing for less vibratory highway riding and boy he wasnt kidding!
I've never ridden an XS650 that didnt vibrate when you're ripping down a back highway at higher speeds....this thing feels like it has an overdrive gear in it. Ive got to pull the side cover and see what countershaft he installed. I can see there's a 33 tooth on the back for sure. (Edit: Upon closer inspection the rear is actually a 32 tooth and the front is an 18 tooth)
It takes some getting used to....about the time you think you're in 5th gear, you realize there's another click up to go and you're actually still in 4th, weird.
Id say the only regret I have about this bike is waiting so damned long to get it out and ride the hell out of it!! I really, really love riding this bike.
I looked it over pretty well, found some questionable mechanical assembly on the engine mounts, etc so I kind of back burnered it and just looked at it as "Shop Art/Decoration" for the last 3 years.
Oh, I knew it ran well and everything, but inside of tank needed some TLC, petcocks needed rebuilt from coagulated fuel, etc.
Well, I figured it was indeed time to get it out before the dark, wet rainy season hits for another Winter.
Tanks all cleaned, petcocks are sorted, fires up and runs great. Mechanicals are all sorted and verified.
However, I've been dabbling with different exhausts because I didn't want to internally rust the original exhaust that was on the bike.....yes, its that minty and nice. They're so hard to come by, this set can just get tagged and set aside on the shelf for the time being.
I installed single wall head pipes with the tipped up ends and put on Commando style slip ons...not quite enough sound (more on that later).
Installed shorty megaphones with internal noise reducer....yeah, right!
Way too damn loud.Installed some Dunstall look alikes, way too loud too...I suspect all the packings blown out.
Then I remembered I had an OEM set of Triumph Bonnie mufflers in my garage unused. Tried them on, still not the sound I was looking for...weird tinny popping sound too.
Man I sound like a picky bastard dont I?
I just want something to sound like my XS-1 without spending almost a grand from Mikes XS for a reproduction set of early exhaust that fits a 75, ok?!
Went back to the Commando slip ons and rode the bike literally all day long today!
It was pure bliss. The roll-on note is so seductive you just want to keep rolling into the 3-4k RPM zone over and over again...you guys know the spot Im talking about. This exhaust set up is just like ya'all said it was a long time ago...just right.
One other thing I noted when bonding with this bike today. Previous owner mentioned he used taller gearing for less vibratory highway riding and boy he wasnt kidding!
I've never ridden an XS650 that didnt vibrate when you're ripping down a back highway at higher speeds....this thing feels like it has an overdrive gear in it. Ive got to pull the side cover and see what countershaft he installed. I can see there's a 33 tooth on the back for sure. (Edit: Upon closer inspection the rear is actually a 32 tooth and the front is an 18 tooth)
It takes some getting used to....about the time you think you're in 5th gear, you realize there's another click up to go and you're actually still in 4th, weird.
Id say the only regret I have about this bike is waiting so damned long to get it out and ride the hell out of it!! I really, really love riding this bike.
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