Shiny Bits

[Eveready1100]

You went up to the cape (and back?) and didn't stop in for a brew on the way past? Should've given Steptoe or myself a bell and we could've had a fair old chinwag. Maybe next time, eh?

[Exs1.1]

Hey Eveready, yeah my bike has taken a  back seat at the moment as I have just returned from Cape York (4 wheel drive) and need some cash to do repairs to the landcruiser. Sheeze, talk about a fantastic place, the Cape is totally awesome. But be expecting some rough roads, the corrugation's are bad, in fact they are really  bad. They will shake loose almost everything, and what they don't shake loose, will most definitely need re-tightning. With the Cape behind me now, it's down to some serious work on the XS, I hope to get stuck into it and have it on the road sometime early next year.

[Eveready1100]

Thanks for the tip, Phil.  I've only got two tins of the clear stuff at the moment so I'll get some black and hit it on my next days off.
How's things coming along with your ride, mate?

[Exs1.1]

Hey Eveready, you could always put a coating of "Dubbin" (black of cause) on the old bag, they come up a treat. Just remember to wipe the excess off, as it will transfer to whatever it touches as in clothes and jackets etc. It will also make it waterproof again.

[Eveready1100]

Yes, the sidepockets unzip with their own little carrystraps on top. Main bag has sagged  so I'll make a base up inside to stiffen it up a bit.

[steptoe]

do the sides unzip or is that enormous piping on the edges

[Eveready1100]

I got around to mounting my rack today. I only wanted something to stow my wet gear and basic tools in, but not be too heavy, as my old one weighed a ton. This one apparently came off a CB250 and I was very surprised how small the tubing is on it and how narrow it was. I had to spread the forward curvy upwardsy tubes to get them to fit each side of the rear of the seat and with a bit of modding to the front struts, finally got it on. I would have preferred to have gotten a full sized rack so it could sit high enough to reverse the bag to use as a backrest on long runs but the price was right and the weight is too. Only 2.4 kgs with all the brackets and bag included. I dunno about the hangy offy sidepockets though. Look a bit fugly to me, but it'll do till finances turn around

[steptoe]

I'm back,, sort of,

yes it was inevitable,,    and yes, it does look a lot better 

[Eveready1100]

Yeah, well.......it was inevitable. Once you get started, it just gets easier. I think it looks better with it on.

From the front


Side view


Square gauges are a very tight fit under the dash panel, but it does fit without mods.
Next step will be towbar off and gearsack rack on, plus maybe change back to the 16" rear wheel.

[Eveready1100]

I had a visit from Steptoe today. The planned run to Paradise dam didn't eventuate though we got a few repairs done to the rack on his bike, plus a lot of bike talk. You know the stuff.
         BTW - His computer's Frapped itself so that's why he's been quiet this week.
 After we'd finished and he'd headed off to get ready for work, I had a look at my bike and the assortment of fork bits laying on the floor in the corner and set about putting it back to original spec. The legs (thanks again Fungy) were assembled with new seals, Ebay, of course. Sick of arguing with the local Yam dealer anymore. Everything slipped into place as it was supposed to. The longest bit was bleeding the brakes after swapping the calipers over. I noticed a DOT ring on the brake lines which has 6/78 moulded in it. These lines came off my E model and were a bit improvement over the spongy ones on the Special. Don't worry, a set of braided lines are on my wish list so they'll be gone soon. I had planned to do the full strip and polish of the fork sliders etc. but I just want to ride it now. That'll have to wait till it's off the road for some other reason.
Here's how it looked before.



Here it is now




Now to decide whether the RH fairing goes back on, or not........