What did you do to your bike today?

[madmax-im]

That reminds me of a saying in my industry, "There's never time to do it right, but there's always time to do it over." In your case, just insert money in place of time. Sorry Ben, you're just such an easy target.

yeah right...not the first time either... No biggie Marty...LOL...I figured on the comments ...I'm also getting a set of Venturer forks..I almost certain it will imprve things measurably over what I have now...I doubt it would ever be as good and the TD setup...you do get what you pay for...

[madmax-im]

I was always pleased with the way my XJ handled in the twisties that one year I brought it to XSSE in Suches...so it stands by my reasoning that if i can bring my XS up to par with what the XJ was then I'll be more than happy with the results...everybody who has done these mods has attested their worthiness amongst those that I have known to do it this way...so I dont necessarily agree this is a waste of time money or effort therefore your comments have not deterred me in the slightest...time will tell though...

[motoman]

I was always pleased with the way my XJ handled in the twisties that one year I brought it to XSSE in Suches...so it stands by my reasoning that if i can bring my XS up to par with what the XJ was then I'll be more than happy with the results...everybody who has done these mods has attested their worthiness amongst those that I have known to do it this way...so I dont necessarily agree this is a waste of time money or effort therefore your comments have not deterred me in the slightest...time will tell though...

Not to dissapoint ya' Ben, but the Spcials/XJ's due to the 'leading' front forks and 16" rear wheel handle twisties W-A-Y better than a Standard from the get-go. You'll likely have improvement, but won't be no XJ handling the twisties.

[trbig]

My 2 teenage daughters do that while they're sitting here on the couch.

Told you before.. It's because they're talking about YOU! lol.

[BA80]

Went out to just start my bike, well, just because. The battery is 3 years old and a little weak and it cranked slow and wouldn't start. So, I got the kicker out ............ guess what? 20/50 is thicker than 80/90 at 40 degrees.

My 190lb butt couldn't crank it as fast as the worn out battery. I'll put the charger on it in the morning.

[GLoweVA]

Greg, you might want to check the water level in your battery too.
I had trouble starting my H and the battery levels were way low. Added water an several hours on the charger and viola, starts great now.

[donebysunday]

Don't feel bad wish I had your skinny arse ! My 240 could not get my 79 started back when it was still over 50°.
No one will believe me on this but back in 79-86 I used to start My SF with a 750 kicker installed WITH ONE HAND IN SUMMER. That bike started so easily it was scary. Course I knew how to start a 1938 Farmall F20 without breaking my arm too.
Non E10, good gas MMO and Yamalube.

Went out to just start my bike, well, just because. The battery is 3 years old and a little weak and it cranked slow and wouldn't start. So, I got the kicker out ............ guess what? 20/50 is thicker than 80/90 at 40 degrees.

My 190lb butt couldn't crank it as fast as the worn out battery. I'll put the charger on it in the morning.

[madmax-im]

you guys need to get a maintainence free battery and a battery tender...no more electrolyes to worry about...plus it cant leak acid on your exhaust pipes...

[madmax-im]

Not to dissapoint ya' Ben, but the Spcials/XJ's due to the 'leading' front forks and 16" rear wheel handle twisties W-A-Y better than a Standard from the get-go. You'll likely have improvement, but won't be no XJ handling the twisties.

oh well there goes that theory...Thanks Brant

[BA80]

Yeah George, I filled it last fall before it got cold. It's just old like me.

I can usually kick it right off done, the oil was just too thick.

I went back out and used both the starter and the kicker at the same time and it started on the 3rd kick. Let it run a bit and get good and warm.

Might be taking a ride on the first with some friends. First ride of 2015.

[BA80]

Not to dissapoint ya' Ben, but the Spcials/XJ's due to the 'leading' front forks and 16" rear wheel handle twisties W-A-Y better than a Standard from the get-go. You'll likely have improvement, but won't be no XJ handling the twisties.

oh well there goes that theory...Thanks Brant

It will still be a lot better Ben. Even with the different forks the trail is the same.

[madmax-im]

It will still be a lot better Ben. Even with the different forks the trail is the same.

I'm sure it will improve things but the theory that I could bring the XS up to XJ standards with XJ suspension wont hold true...

[BA80]

No, it won't because the XS has a higher center of gravity. But, the suspension parts are far superior and will improve the handling so much you won't believe.

[Crusty Snippets]

Kick it

Went out to just start my bike, well, just because. The battery is 3 years old and a little weak and it cranked slow and wouldn't start. So, I got the kicker out ............ guess what? 20/50 is thicker than 80/90 at 40 degrees.

My 190lb butt couldn't crank it as fast as the worn out battery. I'll put the charger on it in the morning.

The battery on my 79XS11 Special also died, but slowly. Was 25F and when I pressed the button it went urg ugg.
Put the kick lever on, two warm up kicks, and two serious kicks and Yami fired.

Unkle Crusty*

[Brent]

Let's Dance or Budget suspension improvements

Front - Change the fork oil. Fork oil of different weights in each different side is OK for compression / rebound damping when a fork brace is used.

Clean, grease & adjust steering head bearings.

Rear - get some shocks that are in good working condition. (different 30 year old XS1100 shocks may not improve ride. If back seat bounces many times for each bump you hit, make changes.) Many newer bikes use shocks that will fit. I got showa air shocks, Takeoffs off a harley touring bike '99 - '08: very cheap, but nearly new & good working condition.

These modest changes may not be the absolute best or highly competitive, but are inexpensive. They work. The improvement from no effective suspension completely worn out, to Suspension that works is REMARKABLE.

YRMV If you can learn to ride an XS well with ever more worn to nonexistent suspension,,, Than you can ride a bike with working suspension REALLY WELL.