What did you do with your XS today?

Yep, i found a guy on ebay with NOS to order from, i'll give it a shot and see.

Is there any way to tell if a wire is bad? Like just the wire in a harness
 
If you have an option buy new new over NOS. If you're doing a serious resto and want all original period correct parts NOS is the way to go. If you want reliability I wouldn't buy a part that's been sitting on a shelf for 35 years.
 
I just got my Chinese chain tensioner in the mail today! The pictures of it on Ebay were real crappy, so I took better ones now that I have it. I assumed (correctly) that the roller would not have a bearing in it. I already have a roller skate wheel (95a) that should work as a replacement. This piece looks quite adjustable (all bolts look like they can be removed/replaced) and SHOULD simply clamp on to the SOHC swing-arm. I'll update later as I make more progress. :D

The cost was about $16 shipped from China. It took at least 2 weeks to arrive. Yes, I COULD have made my own, but the cost of materials probably would have rivaled this piece and I must consider the time to fabricate something comparable. I also wanted something that isn't permanent and this looks great for that.
 

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Finished removing badge and painting with Eastwood Underhood black. Not glossy, but I'm a dull I'll kind of guy. The paint is a 2k rattle can so should be resistant to gas drips. Overall, very happy with my first paint job.
 

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I think I came close to emptying one can. They recommended two medium coats about 7-10 minutes apart and then one heavy coat. So that's what I did. I was worried that a heavy coat my orange peel on me but didn't happen. Or perhaps more likely, it just doesn't show on a matte finish.
 
Finished prep work on the 80 and started prep on the 79. Going to have some nice days this week hope to get the 80 out this week:)
 
@Recreate, If you are looking at the spark, you could be damaging CDI device. A couple years ago I was turning mine over looking at the spark, then Drewpy hollowed at me, and warned me to stop it. I don't see a problem with a one time type of test, but anything more than that may ruin something you don't want to replace sooner or later.
 
First ride of the season!

Didn't want to start up right away. Maybe it was too cold? Just 2 or 3 degrees this morning. I've got 20w50 in it - not sure if that's a problem in these temperatures. Also, I took out the plugs and they were pretty fouled up (dark, covered in carbon). Cleaned them up with some paint thinner, left the bike in the sun for a bit, got the engine turned by rolling it in a higher gear. It didn't want to start with the choke/enricher on, but it did eventually start when I gave it full throttle. Once it started I could slowly let the throttle down until it idled.

Once it was warmed up, it ran without blinking once. Love it!
 

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I finaly can say actualy did work on my bike today other than just say I bumped it or looked at etc.
I took the throttle cable off and sprayed wd-40 down the cable inbwteen the sleeve cause it was sticking.Also Im charging the battery and getting ready to start it since going into hibernation all winter.A bit too cool to ride for me yet.
 
The owner's manual I ordered on ebay showed up yesterday. It's in amazing condition for being as old as it is, and the original owner put his bike's serial number on the back. He had an earlier build than my bike; irrelevant but interesting to me.
 
Got the 80 out today. Started right up with no issue. All the changes I made worked great, runs like a bat out of hell:)
 
JaredK said:
First ride of the season!

Didn't want to start up right away. Maybe it was too cold? Just 2 or 3 degrees this morning. I've got 20w50 in it - not sure if that's a problem in these temperatures. Also, I took out the plugs and they were pretty fouled up (dark, covered in carbon). Cleaned them up with some paint thinner, left the bike in the sun for a bit, got the engine turned by rolling it in a higher gear. It didn't want to start with the choke/enricher on, but it did eventually start when I gave it full throttle. Once it started I could slowly let the throttle down until it idled.

Once it was warmed up, it ran without blinking once. Love it!
Click to expand...

I would warm your oil up with a heater or something.At those temps your bike is probaly cranking over with a dry start.I probaly change my oil way too much but as the temps warm into the 80s I`ll use 20w50 dino or 15-40 synthetic.
 
bcware said:
What changes did you make?
Click to expand...

Lots:laugh: Well 13lbs lighter overall. Went back to stock size rear tire. Uni filters directly on the carbs. RD250 spoked front wheel with a xv920 drilled front rotor. Mini speedo. Aluminum renthal handle bars. Replaced most fasteners with aluminum and or titanium bolts. Just to name a few:doh:
 

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