Stolen XS11 recovered!

[Bill]

Fellow XSives -

Those who attended XS Northeast '03 will recall that Jon Oliver's '79 Standard (formerly my XSerendipity) was stolen on the second night of the rally. About a week ago we got a call from the Caribou police to say that they recovered the bike. Some hunters had come across it.

Tina and I went to pick it up from the towing service that picked it up.


Luckily, there was no major damage. The handlebars were bent and there's a small dent in the tank.


Two days before the rally I had epoxied the right fron turn indicator. Once again, it's broken.


And the clutch lever was broken...


Other than that, it was just dirty. After unloading it from the trailer I checked it over and charged the battery. Once the battery was up to snuff, I turned the petcocks to PRIME and it STARTED!

Today I replaced the handlebars and tomorrow we'll replace the clutch handle. If we get another dry day over 20°F, perhaps the two of us will take an XSive ride before the snow flies.

XSively,

[Bill]

Fellow XSives -

The RoadRunner server is having problems so my pictures didn't show up. I'll let you know when they're back up.

XSively,

[Mike Hart]

Good news, Bill!

So, they didn't get too far with it, eh? I'm imagining whoever maybe causing their own self some pain when the damage occurred...

[Bill]

Funny thing, Mike, that's XSactly what Jon said. He also hoped the guy found the XS "just too much bike to handle".

XSively,

[Bill]

It's alive!

Since the bike got home we'd put on the handlebars and replaced the clutch lever.

Today I topped off the tank... it took 5 gallons! (Maybe the thieves just rode it until it ran outa gas!?) No wonder it was running a little rough when I got it home!

Took the seat off to charge the battery again. Then it fired easily with full choke at about 24°F. I let it warm up for about 5 minutes while I bundled up for a cool ride.

The first thing I noticed was the clutch slipped pretty badly. Turned out the cable was adjusted too tight. After I backed off on the adjuster it worked great.

I went for about an 8 mile ride, running through the gears, checking the brakes, etc. The bike ran smooth and strong. Then I remembered why I gave that bike to Jon. It was the most solid, reliable bike I owned and the least likely to need tinkering.

The only down side is that now I'm reminded how unXSpected should be running!

XSively,

[Huron52]

Xscelleny fine.... nice to see that it is still in the land of the rideables...

[fusionking]

Man it sure is great to hear you got it back! (and in useable shape too!)

[Bill]

The RoadRunner personal home page server woke up. Anyone who's interested can now you can see the pictures in my original post.

XSively,

[CMA1]

Nice Goin'

I am Glad you got her back! and in relatively good shape considering what she's been through and sitting for so long.
The bike has been abused a bit and left (to get lonely ??) and I think she looks in better shape than mine and I have been working on 'the Ole Girl' since July!!!
Now winter is upon us and I travelled a grand total of 114kms (just far enough and fast enough to XS'perience what the members here warned me about.... scared the sh*t out of myself LOL )
Glad you got her back....
Ride safe....

[mitch]

Great

Glad you got Jons bike back , Bill . Still looks good, just in time to hibernate Oh well its only 4 months or so! See ya soon ..........MITCH