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XS650 Adventure Bike?
- Thread starter Kevin Werner
- Start date
I think .072" is close enough to .078" for what you're building and how you'll ride it.
Personally, I'd let it be.
Personally, I'd let it be.
I know some guys who rode Honda 305 dreams from Mississippi to the Pacific coast via the Trans America Trail. I was advised by one of them that an XS650 would be fine for that. Take that in the spirit in which that question was asked.
Pirsig was learning to fly when he checked himself into the loony bin, and after he decided to pretend that he was ok again, they let him out. But then he found out that he was prohibited from ever getting an airplane driver permit. Somebody told him that riding a bike was as near to flying as you can do on the ground (I agree). So he bought a 305... BBC drama of the book> https://archive.org/details/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance_202105 I recommend the book as well. It's about philosophy of quality. Much the same as the philosophy of this site, imho.
Looks like same guys that show up at Barber every year on their dreams.
Pirsig was learning to fly when he checked himself into the loony bin, and after he decided to pretend that he was ok again, they let him out. But then he found out that he was prohibited from ever getting an airplane driver permit. Somebody told him that riding a bike was as near to flying as you can do on the ground (I agree). So he bought a 305... BBC drama of the book> https://archive.org/details/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance_202105 I recommend the book as well. It's about philosophy of quality. Much the same as the philosophy of this site, imho.
Jus' to be clear, Persig had a 305 Superhawk... a damn fine machine... loved 'em. The video above has 'em goin in the dirt on 305 Dreams. With it's gawdawful leading link front end, a pothole could turn your day bad in an instant. One of the worst suspensions to ever grace a motorcycle. Respect.
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Now, I may remember incorrectly, but I think that the flow capacity of an orifice (or pipe) is not proportional with the area. I have no textbook available here, but I believe the flow capacity is increasing more than area when the hole is enlarged. At least when it is laminar flow.
I will leave it as it is. There are members here who will attest that I am unlikely to push the limits of this mod. And remember, there are guys riding leading link Dreams in worse conditions than I will likely encounter.
Yes! It’s those same guys. Critter bikes. I’ve gotten to know them. One has a comprehensive motorcycle museum at his dealership in Corinth, MS. Lake Hills Motors.
I know, Kevin. That’s my point. Your bike will be fine.I will leave it as it is. There are members here who will attest that I am unlikely to push the limits of this mod. And remember, there are guys riding leading link Dreams in worse conditions than I will likely encounter.
I shoulda said superhawk. And he packed his kid. I once had a pair of 305 superhawks. Very fine machines. Wish I'd kept 'em.Jus' to be clear, Persig had a 305 Superhawk... a damn fine machine... loved 'em. The video above has 'em goin in the dirt on 305 Dreams. With it's gawdawful leading link front end, a pothole could turn your day bad in an instant. One of the worst suspensions to ever grace a motorcycle. Respect.
Dellboone
XS650 Member
I too had a CB77 or Superhawk….1967. They really are sweet bikes. I have read a couple articles about the guys on their Dreams doing adventure riding. Great reads and seems like such fun. Just something about taking an old bike that may or may not be up to the task and completing it.
I think what your doing is awesome and best of luck to you!!!!!
I think what your doing is awesome and best of luck to you!!!!!
I do want it pretty good for the next guy though.
I likely won't be roosting through the sweepers. But, I do want reasonable ergonomics for control. These XS650 motors have a nice tractable powerband and I like that. This may be a fun day rider too. Cheers
I know a lot of this is old hat for most members but I am reassembling my forks in a "Three Stooges" manner and I am the three stooges. I cleaened up the lower legs. I annealed the copper retaining bolt washer. I drilled and chamfered the damping rod holes. I got things all lined up, loktited and assembled. My damper rod wrench was too long so I cut it down 8-10". Eveything tightened up nicely. Good? Now how do I get those upper tubes on? 
Oh sh..... Disassemble and fetch those tube. Looking closely they needed further scubbing. Cleaned up I installed new seals. I used the retaining shim as a bearing surface to tap in the seal. That shim is very malleable and of course needed some gentle repair. The second seal went in easily. Comparing the old to new I realized the seals went in upside down. Briefly considering leaving it alone I did decide to remove them and reinstall correctly. I guess my damper rod wrench/holder is going to be 8-10" short now. Sh..... This is one of those learning moments.
Oh sh..... Disassemble and fetch those tube. Looking closely they needed further scubbing. Cleaned up I installed new seals. I used the retaining shim as a bearing surface to tap in the seal. That shim is very malleable and of course needed some gentle repair. The second seal went in easily. Comparing the old to new I realized the seals went in upside down. Briefly considering leaving it alone I did decide to remove them and reinstall correctly. I guess my damper rod wrench/holder is going to be 8-10" short now. Sh..... This is one of those learning moments.
Bummer
Progress finally. Forks got some Minton mods, progressive springs with 1" preload. New chain fitted and tank and seat re-installed. Pegs are 2" lower than factory pegs and a quick ergonomic check (sit on the bike) suggests this might be good. The brake lever is short. No room for the designed linkage so I improvised. I may have to extand the brake shoe actuator arm 1"to get some feel. The M/C (off the red bike, switcheroo) had problems revealed during bench test so a new M/C was installed and bled. The shift linkage was fiddly but won't get finalized until test ride. The higher wider bars feel pretty good. Lights , head and tail work and the brake light activates with the new M/C. There remains fitting the pipes (off the bike hoist) with torque inducers and cleaning 1/2 year of greasy finger prints and dust. The tank will need to wear a tankbag or bandaid, someone (grandkids) pulled a hanging bicycle off the ceiling and put a small chip in the paint. On a side note, I did hook up a 1 amp charger to the battery a few times during the interim. Discovered a few days ago the "Battery Tender" harness had a blown 25a fuse. R and R'd and battery new April 2022 holds a charge at 12.7v . Call me Lucky.
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