The bike is back and better than ever!!

[RUSH]

I got the bike on the road today after the motor replacement. The donor motor had the top end tuned and a preasure check showed 160psi all cylinders. (according to the mechanic who did the work). All I know is that it runs great! Still have some work to do. New rear tire and bearings. Check the brake pads. Change the front master cylinder (donor bikes is near perfect!). I took all the chrome off the bike to have it replated. The estimate was $3600! I cant see spending that much on a $900 bike, so I'll just polish it.
The sun is out today, the last 5 weeks have been all rain.
I would go ride, but there's a strange wobble when I use the back brake. I think it might be the bearings. Im going to buy a jack so I can get the rear tire off and have a look.
See ya on the road..........
I forgot to mention this last year, but when the bike broke down in Idaho on the way home from the 4 corners trip, we were towing it home and would you believe some guy passed us riding an XS1100! I think Ive seen maybe 3 other xs's in all these years.
I tried to catch up to him, but it wasnt going to happen. It made me kinda sad and happy at the same time. I wasnt going to finish the trip, but someone else on their xs would.

[DiverRay]

Glad to hear it's running once again. sounds like the donor engine is a good one. I'll have to let you know when I ride north next time. I have family in Tacoma area, so I do get up at least every other year.
Ray

[gnevelesx08]

Rush, sounds like you have a runner there!

Hey Rush and Ray,

I live on whidbey Island.
Maybe we can all get together when you come up!
Hey maybe we can have a mini rally! I haven't left the Island with Ebaybe since I baught her. I need to make a trip off Island this spring or summer.
BTW it was sunny on the Island yesterday and I rode to work, it was great. Ran to the store for beer and cigs after work then rode home after dark. Froze my nads and was wearing long johns. Im trying to figure out how to find other xsesives in the area using he member list. Haven't found the easy way yet.
Let me know.
Later, Dan

[RUSH]

For riding in the cold I wear sweats with joe rocket armored pants and rain gear. I use an electric jacket with my rain jacket over it. keeps me warm and the cold air out. keeping the hands warm is still a problem big insulated gloves are clumsy. I might get some electric liners if I do a lot of cold weather riding.
From whidbey island you could make a loop down the island, ferry to mukilteo then take the back roads to anacortes and home. You could make a day of that ride. I made a lot of long rides last year. lake stevens-blaine-mt st helens-and back to lake stevens. ocean shores. one tough one was sea lion caves in oregon and back in one day.
Lets set a ride date for sometime this summer. I'll be taking a trip up to coure delaine ID. in may for a weekend.
what kind of trips do you like to do? short or long, hiway or backroads, sea, forest, or desert?
Im sure there are other XS11 owners in the puget sound area.
Lets get something started!

[motoman]

If your havin trouble with the cold hands, get a set of Hippo Hands off ebay. There's three sets on there right now! Have a set of the doudle welt deluxe hard side ones on my Venture, and there better than grip warmers which I have on mt ST1100. Got a set of the flat single seam Hippo Hands off ebay for it. Just waitin for them to get here. If it gets really cold, down below 10, I can also throw a couple of the ole' Jon-e hand warmers in the Hippo Hands. Now there's some built in heaters, old school way, Anyways, just some ideas all.