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  • Alcan Alice

    Just got Alcan Alice, my XS650H Special II, back on the road. PO finally sent me the long lost title. I got this bike for free last summer. Alaska plate. PO had ridden it up the Alcan Hwy. to Alaska from California. Bike shows the effects of long outdoor storage and crash damage on both sides. Engine (750 kit) was frozen. Got it broken loose by filling cylinders with diesel fuel and MMO for a couple of days. Removed oil with turkey baster and tubing. Put the bike in top gear and rocked it back and forth. Got it running and then it just sat while I waited for the title. Yesterday put a set of Mikes XS cafe/clubman bars on it and rode it around a bit. The thing rocks. Next I have to mount turn sigs to replace the ones destroyed by crashes and a set of good tires. New sprockets and chain and it'll be good to go though it doesn't look too hot right now. Here's the before picture (after I hosed off some of the spider webs).

    The bike is much more decrepit looking than the pic indicates. Note the missing right side headlight ear and split seatcover. I may just leave it cosmetically challenged but mechanically good. Be a nice sleeper to surprise unwary riders who think they're fast.
    Shiny side up,
    650 Mike

    XS1100SF "Rusty", runs great, 96k miles
    XS650SJ "The Black Bike", engine from XS650H with 750cc big bore kit, 30k miles

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting, "WOW, what a ride !" - [URL="http://www.flyingsnail.com/Sprung/index.html"]Sprung[/URL]

  • #2
    nice looking bike does it hae electric and kick start i am looking for a little bike for my mom but it has to have electric start
    79 yamaha xs1100f standard
    best 1/4 mile 13.282@99.40

    Comment


    • #3
      Yeah, it's kick and electric. Women usually don't like these much since they vibrate like crazy. The more crazy women like 'em though... Good bulletproof bikes with a lot of aftermarket support...Mikes XS, Vintage Brake and 650 Central.
      Shiny side up,
      650 Mike

      XS1100SF "Rusty", runs great, 96k miles
      XS650SJ "The Black Bike", engine from XS650H with 750cc big bore kit, 30k miles

      Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting, "WOW, what a ride !" - [URL="http://www.flyingsnail.com/Sprung/index.html"]Sprung[/URL]

      Comment


      • #4
        Was wondering if you could post some pics with the clubman bars on it.I didnt like the stock bars much....Currently have dirt bike bars on it .I know it looks funny but feels better..more over the front end feel...Its ok i havent been riding much so noone has seen it.Thanks for the help in advance!!

        Comment


        • #5
          Mikes XS handlebars

          Don't have a camera currently but if you check out Mikes XS website he has a page of handlebar pics, the clubman bars are right at the top of this page... http://www.mikesxs.com/mikesxs-chass...ategory_id=1.4 They can be installed 2 ways, like they are in the picture or flipped over which will drop them a bit lower, almost like clip-ons. I've got mine in the higher position. You will need to move the clutch cable so it comes out of the right side of the steering head and cross it over to the handle so that it isn't kinked. The brake hose will need some artful curves as well unless you want to swap out the cables and hose for shorter ones. There are a bunch of popular bends on the page. A lot of people like Daytona bars or Euro bars. Mikes XS handlebar prices beat any I've seen. Service is quick and orders over $30 get free shipping.
          Shiny side up,
          650 Mike

          XS1100SF "Rusty", runs great, 96k miles
          XS650SJ "The Black Bike", engine from XS650H with 750cc big bore kit, 30k miles

          Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting, "WOW, what a ride !" - [URL="http://www.flyingsnail.com/Sprung/index.html"]Sprung[/URL]

          Comment


          • #6
            Hey Mike, thanks for the heads up on Mike's XS. Lots of those parts look like they might apply to several old Yammies. I'm soon to acquire a free-to-good-home early 80s Virago that has a severe case of neglectitosis...rust, half-ass repairs, missing parts, and it has suffered from numerous amateur attempts to get it started with old, rusty gas and a jumped battery. Might be another case of spending a grand to make a $500 bike....
            "Time is the greatest teacher; unfortunately, it kills all of its students."

            Comment


            • #7
              Not so little

              Hi Bandet0
              XS650 is only a lightweight compared to an XS11. It weighs not quite 500lbs with a full gas tank which is 50lbs more that a Triumph Bonneville.
              Your mom may be happier with an XS400.
              Fred Hill, S'toon.
              Fred Hill, S'toon
              XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
              "The Flying Pumpkin"

              Comment


              • #8
                New developments for Alice

                I had my XS650 Heritage "Black Bike" non-opped with DMV but when the renewal came in my wife sent in the new reg fee so instead of registering Alcan Alice I'm forced to put the running engine from Alice into the Black Bike. Oh well. Think I'll non-op the 400, it needs a battery and is getting a bit tired anyway.
                Shiny side up,
                650 Mike

                XS1100SF "Rusty", runs great, 96k miles
                XS650SJ "The Black Bike", engine from XS650H with 750cc big bore kit, 30k miles

                Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting, "WOW, what a ride !" - [URL="http://www.flyingsnail.com/Sprung/index.html"]Sprung[/URL]

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by LoHo
                  Hey Mike, thanks for the heads up on Mike's XS. Lots of those parts look like they might apply to several old Yammies. I'm soon to acquire a free-to-good-home early 80s Virago that has a severe case of neglectitosis...rust, half-ass repairs, missing parts, and it has suffered from numerous amateur attempts to get it started with old, rusty gas and a jumped battery. Might be another case of spending a grand to make a $500 bike....
                  Just remember if you order from Mikes XS, he's only savvy about 650s so don't tell him its for an 11, he won't be able to advise you about interchangeability. He's got some good deals on LED tail and signal bulbs and handlebar controls. TC can probably advise on interchangeble parts.
                  Shiny side up,
                  650 Mike

                  XS1100SF "Rusty", runs great, 96k miles
                  XS650SJ "The Black Bike", engine from XS650H with 750cc big bore kit, 30k miles

                  Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting, "WOW, what a ride !" - [URL="http://www.flyingsnail.com/Sprung/index.html"]Sprung[/URL]

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Women usually don't like these much since they vibrate like crazy. The more crazy women like 'em though...
                    If SWMBO ever reads this I'm dead.... We had a 650 back in the late 80's and whenever I'd take her for a ride, I'd get lucky. I just attributed it to the James Dean effect. Years later she intimated that it was the vibration!
                    Papa Gino

                    79 and something XS 1100 Special "Battle Cruiser"
                    78 XT 500 "Old Shaky"
                    02 Kawasaki Concours "Connie"

                    Comment

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