Willholmania
XS650 Enthusiast
I've had this for three weeks now, since swapping it for a T140 Bonneville I'd lost the love for. It's a an absolute joy to work on compared with the Triumph (also a '77 bike), partly because it's in much better condition and also because the build quality is in a different league. I'd still love a Bonneville one day but I think I might actually get to ride the XS.
Since it had been standing for some years before coming in from Ohio, I was expecting to have to do more to get it up and running, but it was very easy. All I've done is swill out the tank and carbs, set the points, clean both oil filters and that had it running sweetly. I've rebuilt the brake master cylinder and repainted it, and fitted a new piston and seal to the caliper. I also had a braided brake line made. I bled the brakes using a syringe to squirt fluid through the calliper bleed nipple up into the master cylinder - took all of 30 seconds and the brake lever feels spot on.
I've also fitted new inner tubes, rim tape and a pair of Avon Roadriders, which makes the bike good to go – except I'm waiting for DVLA to issue me with a registration document. Until I get this I cannot get a number plate, or insure the bike for road use. This process normally takes about 10 days but I've heard reports of it taking up to three months during these Covid times. Which is a real pain as although I applied for the doc the day I git the bike (Sept 7) I might not be road legal until early November, which isn't a time I want to be riding a classic bike around in the UK.
Since it had been standing for some years before coming in from Ohio, I was expecting to have to do more to get it up and running, but it was very easy. All I've done is swill out the tank and carbs, set the points, clean both oil filters and that had it running sweetly. I've rebuilt the brake master cylinder and repainted it, and fitted a new piston and seal to the caliper. I also had a braided brake line made. I bled the brakes using a syringe to squirt fluid through the calliper bleed nipple up into the master cylinder - took all of 30 seconds and the brake lever feels spot on.
I've also fitted new inner tubes, rim tape and a pair of Avon Roadriders, which makes the bike good to go – except I'm waiting for DVLA to issue me with a registration document. Until I get this I cannot get a number plate, or insure the bike for road use. This process normally takes about 10 days but I've heard reports of it taking up to three months during these Covid times. Which is a real pain as although I applied for the doc the day I git the bike (Sept 7) I might not be road legal until early November, which isn't a time I want to be riding a classic bike around in the UK.
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