What did you do to your bike today?

['OlGuiltyBoy]

John, I modified one of your bike pictures to illustrate what I'm talking about and I hope that's alright!

You might need to make an extra brace to run from the luggage rack mount points to the upper shock absorber mounts.

The frame on my '80G has cracked four times at and between the luggage rack mount points. Even loaded very lightly it acts like a diving board and worries the frame ends until they break. I'm still thinking about how to make an extra brace that will work but will not interfere with the lines of the bike so for now I only a carry a spare quart of oil in the backrest zipper pouch and I add a small Tour Master bag with a change of clothes on the luggage rack for longer trips.

I noticed mine was cracked back there too on the left side. So I just chopped it off .... Riding solo from now on !!!

[3Phase]

I noticed mine was cracked back there too on the left side. So I just chopped it off .... Riding solo from now on !!!

Well, yeah, riding solo is fine if you're not married. I have found that women and wives in particular become... displeased when they finally relax enough to lean back on something and it leans away from them.

Both sides of the frame ends have cracked and broken off twice on Columbo. The next time it happens I think I'll just bolt the broken frame stub/trophy to a FJ, Connie or ST and retire this particular XS before something a little more important breaks and falls off of the frame.

['OlGuiltyBoy]

Yea... Mine will get over it. My bike time is my "free" time.

[cywelchjr]

Well, yeah, riding solo is fine if you're not married. I have found that women and wives in particular become... displeased when they finally relax enough to lean back on something and it leans away from them.

Both sides of the frame ends have cracked and broken off twice on Columbo. The next time it happens I think I'll just bolt the broken frame stub/trophy to a FJ, Connie or ST and retire this particular XS before something a little more important breaks and falls off of the frame.

Set up something like mine, with an extra brace to relieve the stress on that portion. It's worked so far. 91,000 miles on the bike at least and no cracks as of yet (gotta be careful to not jinx myself, so I never say anything where Brutus might hear it ).

He is getting new lights in the trunk though. One light fitting has quit working. Replacing the four round lights with two oblong LED units this weekend. Cost $40 for the pair at Walmart of all places.

[planedick]

Walmart

And probably made in China too!!!!

[3Phase]

Cy, you got a picture of that brace?


I'm almost finished putting the Bush back together and it should be running tomorrow. I'll go to the DMV on Monday to take it off of non-op, get a tag and insurance.

Eventually I have to get the holes in the frame welded where the center stand was torn off but that can wait. So far the rebuilt gauges are on and working but not calibrated; most of the wiring and all of the switchgear has been cleaned and repaired; clutch adjusted; carburetors repaired and installed; air box and exhaust bolted up; battery box; new fuse box; solenoid/flasher mount plate; inner rear fender. An '81 Honda CB900C headlight is fitted up but not connected because the P.O. hacked the headlight connector out of the harness to bodge the fairing pigtail.

I still have to change the middle and final drive oil; re-key the lock for the gas tank and put in the fuel taps; mount the octy with new hoses; rear fender and tail light; front signals and mirrors; make a new foam element for the air filter; fit the plastic collar for the frame head under the fuel tank.

There's still some fiddly stuff like finding wherever in heck I put the new tiny black trim screws I bought from Yamaha for the tank emblems and I'm doing a quick 'n dirty paint job on the rear fender. I need to get another fender but for tonight it's been cleaned and primed and I'll find some kind of paint tomorrow. All I could find this evening is a can of hot florescent red safety paint left over from... I don't know what it's from, I don't remember buying it but I'm not painting the rear fender hot florescent red.

[cywelchjr]

And probably made in China too!!!!

Probably, but they look decently made. Nice and bright too. Most of the LED lights seem to be made there, along with almost all the electronic components now days.

[cywelchjr]

Cy, you got a picture of that brace?

You saw it when you were here and commented on it. I'll try to get a picture of it in the next few days, but I may be a bit forgetful cause I've got a lot of things going the next few days.

[3Phase]

You saw it when you were here and commented on it. I'll try to get a picture of it in the next few days, but I may be a bit forgetful cause I've got a lot of things going the next few days.

Thank you! Yep, I saw it and I should have taken a picture before left for Round Two of the ride home from Vancouver. I'm lucky I could remember my own name the next day.

[cywelchjr]

Thank you! Yep, I saw it and I should have taken a picture before left for Round Two of the ride home from Vancouver. I'm lucky I could remember my own name the next day.

Yeah, you were kinda pushing yourself to get home. It's part of the Vetter bag frame which fastens further forward on the bike and used to provide the luggage rack. With bag framework on the bike, you can use that as a frame to add a brace to come up under the luggage rack as the bags are mounted further forward (at least mine are).

[forplynu2]

This took me two years off and on!

Oh nothing much! Just made it alot cooler!!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...5&l=65ec7d9878

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...4&l=c403595f3e

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...6&l=e4e9b21ff3

[crazy steve]

Oh nothing much! Just made it alot cooler!!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...5&l=65ec7d9878

Well done, but where's the exhaust???!!

[3Phase]

I took the Bush bike out for a short ride this afternoon.

Holy Moly! Grin installed!

[Rettic]

Pods

I got new Emgo Pod filters today. Installed with a velocity stack mod. Found the stacks fit, with cutting, in replacement of the EMGO rubber mounts. Looks awesome, will post pictures when I can get the pictures uploaded. I recommend this solution.

[Rettic]

Pod mod!!!

Alrighty, always helps to have the right cable.
Here is the link to the pictures: HERE!

Teasers:
Cut the stack

Trying to get the stack in.

Profit!