Hi G/S! Nice to see you over here! Let's see---about that rear wheel....I have an 18", and changed from the original aluminum to stainless, which helped a lot. I have a donor bike with a 16" wheel, but it has a disc and it just isn't worth changing it out from the drum. Besides, I like the looks of the 18", so I just have to get in the habit of checking my spokes more often....or at all.....:huh I love the map of AU on the chair! I have a map of the USA on my windshield, with states marked in where I have ridden. Kinda fun..... Xs's sure are neat.....
I'm such a dumb ass I seen what you wrote and said "wrong am I !" So I went to take pictures to show you who was wrong and proved it was meMy caliper was on inch's not mm and I just typed what I seen without even thinking I told you I was a colonest
That is awesome Gordon! I will let you know what happens. Just found out that they closed part of the school for the summer already, and they have the pipe bender. I am going to by 90 degrees pre-bend pipe, so I will see how far that gets me.
Any other inmates want a ride around Yass/Boorowa districts in next 3 weeks, post here or PM me, if I can organise something I will. Thought chuck that information up just in case any Aussie riders are viewing this thread. Cheers Baza
Gordon, Quick question, those pipes on your black outfit, how close do they go in relation to the L/H carby?, & do you have a heat shield in place between the carby & exhaust? I'm thinking of high pipes still! Cheers Baza
Followed this yesterday. Also, lubed the throttle cable up and it worked like a charm. Thanks again for your wisdom. I can't believe that this thread has taken off like this. It makes me really happy to see the XS650 ADV contingent come out of the woodwork. Also makes me very happy to recognize that this spunky little bike I bought on a whim has such a cult following. More posts!! I want to hear about epic roadtrips that people have taken on their XS's. Any ride reports?
I am going to ride the alps in a few months, then I'll take alot of pictures, but I'm quite short with ridereports, so they're mostly just pictures.
Borrowed this photo from somebody's w/e @ Eastern Creek Nice collection of older models & race-prep XS's Cheers Baza
This could go in the old structure thread, but it's an old photo. Maybe 1985 kodak 110 instamatic Last sunday, a trip out to visit some friends in latrobe. We went further up to sutter creek where jw's folks wipped up a great meal. the route back was through Ione and taking Scott road. The ride back was best because it warmed up.
Hey baza, would you care to elaborate on the extra light set up? How much extra wattage? how bright? any mods required? How long can you run them before severely taxing the charging system? ANY info will be carefully appreciated...
Basically I run a standard system, Regulator & Rectifier have been replaced a solid-state regulator/rectifier unit from MikesXS, make sure all your wiring harness/connectors/lights are in good condition [& kept that way], buy a good quality battery[listen to the gossip, you'll work out which one works!], your alternator on an XS is it's biggest downfall, brushes - very important, your internal wiring harness - learn how to test this with multimeter, this is a 3 phase alternator with brushes [lots to go wrong!], learn how to check your stator fields for abnormalities, I'm hoping to upgrade the alternator to a brushless version soon!, buy a manual [if you haven't got one!] & read it - cover to cover - handy knowledge in there, learn to apply this knowledge, what's the worse you can do? simple old system that works if you look after it, check everything @ your regular oil change workover, preventive medicine it's called sometimes! Ok, 'Kenny Krazyhorse' as everybody knows it over my way, is a standard '74 TXA [some parts have been added ], I run two cheap-as-chips lights [Auto Pro] either side of the headlight, 55watt QH bulb, nice spread, not world beaters but I like the spread of light, allows me to see 'roos & other livestock on our roads around here, My '81 Special 'Tourer' uses a pair of Swedish [Rally?] lights which again have a broad beam of light, better quality of manufacture [$40 - swapmeet bargains!] with a definately better coverage on the road, still only using 55 watt QH bulbs, Important Note;- make sure you use a proper relay system & wiring system, yep they'll work if you hook them up to your battery [with a switch!] but you'll find out in the long run - less hassles with burning out wiring if you do it properly! I also use a voltage meter [coloured leds, saves putting on glasses!] from MikesXS to moniter charging system, hope this helps. Cheers Baza
It did, but the question of how long you could use the extra lighting was not addressed. 110 extra watts! 165 watts just to illuminate the road. Is there enough left to run the rest of bike? How low do you let the battery go, before switching off the lights?
If travelling @ 100kmh then system should be pumping out plenty of juice - no problems, ride to the end of the road [so to speak] if you have a voltage meter of some sort, then you go by it's information, [green-good, yellow-bad, red-rooted], slower speeds are where you need a voltage meter, @ slower speeds use less lights! My headlight is also a QH insert, quite adequate for low speed work, I have my lights wired so I can drop one light out as needed, There is no hard & fast rule/time for useage, original systems will 'tell' you when things aren't right, usually the bike will start backfiring/missing/farting, that's an indication of low battery status, which indicates that you have a crook system or you're not reading the signs from your bike, have been caught out by a 'glassmatt battery, these batteries are similar in habit to Lithium batteries, will run & then drop, dead as a door nail, if your charging system is not 100% [& you don't have a voltage meter!] Again, I can't say it enough, learn to understand your bikes' internal system, do your own maintenance & repairs, this may sound very holistic [or nutty!] but learn to 'feel' your bike & what's happening when you're riding it, understand the noises & vibrations @ certain revs, if this doesn't help then consult a 'friendly' auto electrican who might set you on the right path, but be prepared for a learning curve, do you do your own repairs/maintenance? Cheers Baza
id love to see more xs650 scrambles type bikes. iv been working on one this winter and shes almost done. ill try and get some pics up.