You'll never guess!

Barbara · Posted: October 1, 2009, 8:28 pm Post subject: You'll never guess!

Hi Guys,

On another site I visit (Her-Motorcycle.com), they have a place to post a picture and description of your bike. So I did--I posted a shot of the '77 and sidecar on a ride down to Mt. St. Helen's a few months ago. So there we were, in the middle of other postings of nice, new shiny bikes, and----here's the great part----of all those bikes, guess which one was just chosen "Bike Of The Month".

Yep! My nice, dirty, road-weary 1977 XS650D! She's so proud, and I'm proud of her! She might not be as fast as a modern bike--as we've discussed--but she sure stands out!

Pretty cool, huh?

I love that old bike!

Barbara · Posted: October 1, 2009, 8:31 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

So, this is the shot I submitted.....she looks good in profile, huh?

pumps · Posted: October 1, 2009, 9:29 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

You ARE special!

weekendrider · Posted: October 2, 2009, 1:52 am Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Boo Koo Kudo's. Are you going to print the page and hang it over her parking space?

TeeCat · Posted: October 2, 2009, 5:55 am Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

That's pretty damn kool, Barb! Congrats to you both! Smile

TC

pamcopete · Posted: October 2, 2009, 6:47 am Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

You'll have to reward her with a full tank of premium and an oil change!

metalredneck · Full Member Joined: Aug 04, 2008 Posts: 308

You rock, Barb! To ride a new bike, all you need is money. To ride an ol' XS takes character.

IAmGrowler · Posted: October 2, 2009, 9:18 am Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Nice.

Did you take her on the Oyster Run this last weekend?

I had planned to go myself, but decided making money was more important than spending it.

Barbara · Posted: October 2, 2009, 11:45 am Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Thanks, Guys! Yep, we rode the Oyster Run--and she had the fun of my watching her rear tire go flat....happily at a gas station at Sharp's Corner. I was able to get a can of Fix-a-Flat and some air and away we went. of the 25,000 estimated bikes there, I only saw half a dozen sidecars...kinda neat.

So, yeah! I'm proud of the old girl, and she has earned that premium and oil change....maybe even a polishing job! Very Happy

xs1961 · Posted: October 2, 2009, 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Nice one Babs..Id love a sidecar, that was my Dads only transport til I was about 5 yrs old, still remember burning round the country lanes sat next to a fifties plunger Flash... Lanes round here are too narrow with too many cars these days so I wouldnt dare subject a passenger ('specially my kids) to the danger! Rolling Eyes

pumps · Posted: October 2, 2009, 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Barb, your bike hooked to the sidecar is a 77D but with a 75 B tank?

Barbara · Posted: October 2, 2009, 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Hi Pumps,

Wondering if anyone would notice. Yep, it's a tank from a '75. I have the original tank, but it is dented a bit (my fault). She also has pipes and mufflers from a "Special", and a front fender from a '75. But her heart is still a '77D, and so she remains. Oh, and she is on her second seat, and it's worn out. Hopefully you can't see the electrical tape....gotta re-cover her seat soon!

Oh, and '61---I can't think of a nicer combo than a chair and a BSA twin, especially a "real" one: pre-unit! (My first big Brit was a '59 A10 Rocket)

So, yeah: my other bikes, including the latest Beemer, have a LOT to live up to! Very Happy

IAmGrowler · Posted: October 2, 2009, 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

When I saw the photo the first time I thought I recognized the bike but couldn't place it.

Do you ever take it to Calico Cupboard in Mt. Vernon?

I could swear I saw it in their parking lot a few summers ago.

roar · Full Member Joined: Sep 15, 2008 Posts: 54

Ha ha I wondered about the tank too, but wasn't sure if I should ask or not. Looked vaguely familiar to the tank on my bike. Congrats either way Barb, it's cool when the oldies get the respect they deserve.

Roar

gordo · Posted: October 2, 2009, 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Barb, you wore out another seat? Big congrat's on the award, that's tellin' it like it is.Oh, almost forgot, at wally world, in the fabric dept, you can get like 2 yard's of nice material for like $3.00. I did that with mine, and got 2 season's out it so far. Easy enough to do,too. Or for something really cushy, get lamb's skin & cover 'er up. As long as the pan is decent, all the rest is available @ wallyworld.,,,Gordo

Barbara · Posted: October 2, 2009, 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Hi Guys,

Thanks! Yeah, Growler, I get to the Calico Cupboard now and then...less often than when Scott's Bookstore was next door, but yep. Gold chair, probably us (bike and me). (I live about 10 miles out of town, in the County.)

Thanks for the info, Gordo. I've never done a seat...any tips?

This is really neat--most of the people on Her-Motorcycle have never heard of an XS650--hopefully I can educate them a bit.... Very Happy

Have I mentioned that I *love* that bike??

pumps · Posted: October 2, 2009, 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Barbara wrote:

This is really neat--most of the people on Her-Motorcycle have never heard of an XS650--hopefully I can educate them a bit.... Very Happy

Heck Barb , knowing the little I know about you I'll be you can CONVERT them to XS riders! Shocked

pumps · Posted: October 3, 2009, 10:37 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Barb , I think I remember you saying you had an old Norton some time ago and today I was at a rally and saw this Norton Ranger which is a model I had not come across before.

A link to the rest of the bike pics.
s135.photobucket.com/a...ayne%2009/

Barbara · Posted: October 3, 2009, 11:55 pm Post subject: Re: You'll never guess!

Hi Pumps,

Thanks!!! The "Ranger" was a P-11a, and yes, I had one that I traded a basket BSA Gold Star for years ago. It was an Atlas 750cc engine stuffed into a Matchless G80 chrome-moly frame, and I personally outran a Commando on mine one moonlit evening in my (relative) youth.

That's a beautiful example of the model. The giveaway for the badge-engineering (besides the frame) are the AMC Teledraulic forks. Oh, and mine was converted to K2F magneto ignition, so I stuck a capacitor from a Commando on her, and didn't bother with a battery.

Oh yeah--I have to post this so I can go look at the picture again. Wow. What a bike! Thanks again!!

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