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xs650 > > High Performance Modifications > > All the rest > > Starting to really appreciate this bike...


Starting to really appreciate this bike...
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TeeCat
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Joined: Aug 21, 2007
Posts: 1120
Location: Central Maryland

PostPosted: November 1, 2008, 5:57 pm    Post subject: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

I'm getting to the point now where all the sweat and aggravation is paying off... I'm starting to really appreciate this bike and be especially glad of having bought it.

I went for another little 20-miler today. It was a perfect fall Saturday, and I rolled over to my buddy's house to see if he was home, as he's never seen the bike in person yet. He was there, and he and his girlfriend and buddy looked the bike over and really seemed to appreciate it. And as I was ready to leave, she started up on the first kick.

Thereafter, I rode for a little bit, locally, and the bike was just on like a light. I think my oil leak is at least mitigated for the most part, my clutch is operating nicely, and the bike idles well and has great throttle response. And she's a head turner... you just don't see classics much.

We're not where we ultimately want to be, but we're getting there! Thanks to all here who have helped me resurrect this bike from the dead.

TC
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Skip
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Joined: Aug 13, 2007
Posts: 68
Location: Timberlea,Nova Scotia.

PostPosted: November 1, 2008, 7:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

You know TeeCat the more you work on your bike,the more you become familiar with it's simplicity and you will truly appriciate it even more because you almost become a part of it!
I enjoy wrenching on my bike as much,if not more, than riding it!.But I will be the first to admit it can be a love/hate relationship at times!.
But knowing you have something, first you can work on yourself,and second something you know you are probably not gonna park next to on any given day is worth it all.
Just remember Rome wasn't built in one day.Once you get all the things on the bike done you have to do,you will be looking for things you want to do!It's a labour of love!
Skip

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1978 XS 650 SE
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pumps
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Joined: May 29, 2007
Posts: 1993
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.- 1977 XS650 "D" Standard

PostPosted: November 2, 2008, 12:32 am    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

I like seeing old classic bikes on the road too. Kick starting it gives ME a kick too especially when I see people watching me. Luckily I have another ride for when the XS is in pieces...but it's not nearly as cool.
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xsleo
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Joined: Oct 28, 2007
Posts: 1528
Location: Earlville NY

PostPosted: November 2, 2008, 5:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

a couple years back, i was riding with a friend who was riding a '74 Harley FXE with a 93 inch shovlehead. we stopped at a victory dealer to look over the bikes. as we walked in one of the people inside commented on the nice classic bike outside, i kinda stepped aside so my friend could talk to the guy. i was real surprised when he wanted to talk to me about my 650. i felt proud to think someone would like my 650 over his harley. it still kinda surprises me when people comment on my 650. i do like the fact that it is a bike that people don't see often.
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jimmythetrucker
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Joined: Mar 12, 2008
Posts: 1283

PostPosted: November 2, 2008, 7:23 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

I like the fact that when you get one of 'em all fixed up and ride it like a sensible human being (and I don't mean 'baby it'), the XS is virtually bullet-proof.
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easytravel
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Joined: Aug 27, 2008
Posts: 73
Location: Montreal, Canada

PostPosted: November 2, 2008, 7:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

TeeCat...sounds like you had a great day. Nice fall day, bikes runnin' nicely when the temp is down a few degrees, a little extra punch yes? These are cool bikes and it's fun when someone recognizes that.
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I like walks on the beach and....oh $%#...wrong site!! Uhh yeah so...thought I would get more involved with my 650, see it at mark58mark on youtube, you know..actually getting dirty once in a while, the things that made us love bikes in the first place..
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TeeCat
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Joined: Aug 21, 2007
Posts: 1120
Location: Central Maryland

PostPosted: November 2, 2008, 8:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

You all know the feeling, I'm sure. It's not so much an ego thing as it is simple pride in that I made a decision to work to resurrect something of value, and people - even people unfamiliar with bikes - know that there's something "different" about her. She's a trip back for me, too, as she was built the year I got out of high school. In those days, all my folks would let me do to bikes was look at them. But now she's mine.
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Snake
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Joined: Apr 02, 2008
Posts: 118
Location: Auckland, New Zealand 1982 XS650S

PostPosted: January 27, 2009, 6:01 am    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

I met a freind at the local HD shop recently, me riding my xs650 and he his duluxe model HD...three guys came out of the workshop to look at....the XS650.......asking if they could buy it.....pissed my mate off big time....
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oldskoolcool
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Joined: Sep 08, 2007
Posts: 372

PostPosted: January 27, 2009, 12:35 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

i know what ya mean, with my XS and my Ducati. My GT1000 and 999 always pull in crowds at the gas station or anywhere for that matter. And everyone walks past the new Japanese bikes like they arent even there.


With the XS i always get compliments on the bike while no one looks at the billet barges around it.
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xsjohn
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Joined: Jul 30, 2006
Posts: 5857
Location: North Carolina USSA

PostPosted: January 27, 2009, 12:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

Kinda like the new cars.......they all seem to be on the same fashion statement....... I have to look at the emblems on them to even know what make of car it is......when I see an old VW I sure know what that is.....

xsjohn
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metalredneck
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Joined: Aug 04, 2008
Posts: 308

PostPosted: January 27, 2009, 1:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

I always love the guys that walk right past all the high-dollar crap, stand next to my rat, and say: " I had one of these!", and the conversation begins.
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Dunbar
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Joined: Dec 19, 2008
Posts: 95
Location: Minot AFB, ND, USA

PostPosted: January 27, 2009, 1:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

xsjohn wrote:
Kinda like the new cars.......they all seem to be on the same fashion statement....... I have to look at the emblems on them to even know what make of car it is......when I see an old VW I sure know what that is.....

xsjohn


i feel you there, john. back before i enlisted i had a mk1 gti, my friend had a mk1 jetta coupe, and another friend had a '62 Baja. all rolling together feelin' like the king of the world, pulling more tail than the kids in the brand new eclipses and 350z's and whatever else...those were the good old days. still rock a german ('86 BMW 325is) while the snow keeps me off the XS, though. something about vintage stuff that is just endearing to people.
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xs1961
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Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: January 27, 2009, 8:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

I drive a 1967 Vauxhall VIVA HB... Bet youve never heard of this cracking good classic over there !?
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2.5 bikes in bits,
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Dunbar
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Joined: Dec 19, 2008
Posts: 95
Location: Minot AFB, ND, USA

PostPosted: January 27, 2009, 9:03 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

saloon or estate model?
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xs1961
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Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: January 28, 2009, 5:34 am    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

Pale blue saloon, vinyl seats, heater & a radio !
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Dunbar
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Joined: Dec 19, 2008
Posts: 95
Location: Minot AFB, ND, USA

PostPosted: January 28, 2009, 12:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

hot damn! i like all those euro cars that we never got stateside. i'd kill for an old Abarth 600 or Renault 5 turbo...or an escort cosworth :drools:
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yamaman
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Joined: Jan 04, 2007
Posts: 1638
Location: Perth Western Australia

PostPosted: January 28, 2009, 12:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

Heres the Aussie version, Holden Torana we knew them as:

farm3.static.flickr.co...87.jpg?v=0

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xs1961
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Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: January 28, 2009, 2:21 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

Thats her ! ..without the blower though.. Shocked

I had a Renault 5 Gordini Turbo in 1985 Dunbar..One hell of a fast motor at the time !..Rusted to pieces though.. Evil or Very Mad

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2.5 bikes in bits,
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Dunbar
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Joined: Dec 19, 2008
Posts: 95
Location: Minot AFB, ND, USA

PostPosted: January 28, 2009, 3:31 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

no surprise there, leave it to a french car to rust apart.
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yamaman
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Joined: Jan 04, 2007
Posts: 1638
Location: Perth Western Australia

PostPosted: January 28, 2009, 3:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

HEY! 95% of all French cars are still on the road! waiting for a tow
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Dunbar
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Joined: Dec 19, 2008
Posts: 95
Location: Minot AFB, ND, USA

PostPosted: January 28, 2009, 3:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

lol, so true...

i feel like we may be threadjacking, though Neutral



...my bad

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xs1961
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Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: January 28, 2009, 3:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting to really appreciate this bike...

...Opps, yeah..Back to slagging off show-bikes I think... Twisted Evil
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