I've reached that point too

[newc4]

I have reached the point of becoming an XS enthusiast rather than an owner. The 78E needs a ring job and loses power now and then for unknown reasons. That I’ll keep for now and attempt to repair those problems over the months to come.

The 79SF I intended to ride to XSEast. However it’s been leaking gas. Replaced the float seats and needles fixing that but 1 and 2 carbs pilot circuits are now clogged. I really don't want to do the carbs again. And what I thought was a broken speedo cable turns out to be a broken speedo. On closer inspection the speedo needle broke off somehow. Probably jammed the mechanism. After XSEast it goes on sale. The parter too.

While I work on the 78E I’ll be riding my 06 FJR1300 I picked up recently.

Like others, I'd rather be riding than wrenching. I can't count on the reliability of these anymore. Still it'll be hard to let them go.

[CatatonicBug]

That sucks... Sorry to hear that. At least the '79 should be relatively easy to fix.

[g15usmc]

seems to be like fixing them is half the fun...what better is there to do on a day thats too windy or raining, or snowing?... since you have a newer bike why dont you keep one around to tinker with every now then?...thats part of what my xs11 is for...I do get the "I've done this a thousand times" thing though...good luck either way...

[planedick]

Boring

Anymore I can't find things to do to my '78. Reliability seems to be the norm and almost nothing happens except for wear items like brake pads or tires. I must admit though, in the beginning it wasn't always that way. The only real problem I had was the carb butterfly shaft seals. Once that was taken care of there doesn't seem to be anything left to do except ride and I feel real comfortable, except for the weather, going on this long trip to XS East.

[DGXSER]

I think it depends on where you are at in the owner process. For those who got their bikes when the PO had taken decent care of it, there is not alot to do but keep in maintaining it. For those who got the barn find, field abandoned, abused machines, there is going to be a process of either just tearing it down to nothing and going back together piece by piece with alot of cleaning and maintainence work, or you can find the abuse piece by piece as you ride it.

Even then, its like a car, at some point stuff just starts to go one at a time but never far apart, nickle and diming you to hundreds of dollars. But after you get past the many small things, your back to just maintaining for a while again.

But, if you already invested in a newer machine and like it just as well, I certainly understand not wanting to spend time and money fixing one that just seems to keep needing and needing.

[crazy steve]

Don's got it right...

I've drive 'older' cars, and it's much the same process. Generally, the less you spend initially just means the more work and/or money it will take to have a reliable vehicle. If you do the repair work piecemeal, it will seem never ending; and if it's your main mode of transportation, the unreliability will drive you crazy. But a total teardown is beyond a lot of owners capabilities (whether it's skill sets, or a place/tools to do it), so what to do?

A good plan is to do sub-systems; if you have issues with electrical, then go through all the electrical at once, rather than just 'fixing' the single issue. Do a thorough job of it, and you then eliminate that system from possible future repairs. Same goes for brakes, carbs, etc. Sure, this will be more work and budgeting the money may be tough for some owners, but there's always a trade-off involved.

Owning 'vintage' vehicles can be an exercise in patience sometimes, and not everybody is cut out for it. But it does have it's rewards; when you show up with the only example and get attention, it's worth it to me...

[jetmechmarty]

The new stuff is going to get old and break eventually. You have to keep replacing with new, or go back to fixin'. It's a never ending battle. There's nothing shorter than a love affair with a new car.

The problem with these old bikes is the availability of parts. It's aggravating when the mothership stops supporting them. I have a few XS650s that have much better aftermarket support. Unfortunately, much of the parts supply is of the inferior Chinese variety. I buy OEM whenever I can get it.

[mstic2000]

I have a 78E that was running kind of sluggish last year. It just didn't have the get up and go like it used to. I couldn't figure what the problem was until I tore the right petcock apart cleaned it up and put it back on this spring. It wasn't leaking or anything and a friend suggested I check it out. Now it runs like a champ again. It always seems to be the little things that I don't think of that cause the problems in these machines. At first I thought it was a carb problem. Then an iginition problem. And here all it was, was the darn petcock! But that's what you got to deal with in these old bikes.

[newc4]

I was watching Dual Survivor and the one fellow said when you get mad take a break. So I took a break. On reflection I'll get back into the 79SF and fix those problems.

But with the FJR I have to clear out some of the old bikes. I'll keep the 78E which needs a rings job and whatever else. I am the orignial owner. Don't know how the rings went bad, only has 38K.

With one bike to focus on maybe it'll be easier to stay on top of the maintenance.

[xsroadrunner]

I think it makes sense to have a modern sport-tourer and a vintage bike. Being the original owner of my XJ. The bike has had some troubles over the yrs but for the most part it has been reliable. But now its old enough to be relegated to daytrips and local rides. My more modern sport tour bike gets the nod for any serious LD rides. The comfort and reliability and ease of operation make that a no brainer... not to mention range per tank

[jetmechmarty]

Darrell,

Maybe the rings are just stuck? I recently took a Dodge Neon apart, and that's what I found. The drain holes under the oil rings were all plugged. It works great now, and I got the car for nothing!

[newc4]

Darrell,

Maybe the rings are just stuck? I recently took a Dodge Neon apart, and that's what I found. The drain holes under the oil rings were all plugged. It works great now, and I got the car for nothing!

I'd love for that to be the problem.