She's a-runnin'!

[Erik the Red]

Howdy all-

After a year or so of tinkering, sweating, cussing, bleeding, grinning, and a whole lot of learning, I finally got to the point where I could turn the key, hit the starter button, and listen to that sweet, sweet XS music.

She's not 100% yet. I still will have to (at least) synch the carbs, and put on some rear turn signals. But I took her out for my first ride last night.

I've read people's reactions to that first spin on an XS, so I was sort of XSpecting it, but holy crap! I know it probably wasn't a good choice on my part (twilight = deer on the road, first ride on a new bike, etc...), but I couldn't help it; I had to see what she could do.

By the time I looked down at the speedo, I was doing 95+ before I had to slow for a truck I was coming up on. ...all this while she's still running rough, and I was still in 4th gear!!

Just wanted to post my first XSperience. BTW, I've named her Rhona, which, in Gaelic, means 'Powerful'. I think it fits.

[DiverRay]

Ahh, the first ride, and he's hooked. The XS, and the 78 for sure, has a LOT more "pull" once everything is tuned. My 79, with over 70K miles, will still pull from 30 mph in 5th, and the faster it goes, the harder it pulls. I think that is one of the reasons most people who have ridden as xs, alway's end up with one....
Welcome to the land of XSesive
Ray

[81xsproject]

Congrats, bud! I can definately relate to your story. I got it, tore it down to the frame, worked on it for months, and when I finally rode it... I too was instantly hooked.

[Burly1]

You're sure to get to liking your ride the more time you spend in the saddle. We went to an event this evening where ours was one of only two non-Milwaukee's in the parking lot. Didn't bother me too much, as the Dirty White Boy is as pretty as any Harley ever made. On the way home, we rolled it on at 70, climbed to 90+ and passed a 13 bike string of Milwaukee iron. The organ donor's couldn't see mine and the Mrs. smiles because of our full face helmets, but smiling we were! Enjoy your new/old ride. Burl

[Erik the Red]

Even though it was last week, I still had a grin on my face the whole rest of the weekend every time I thought about it. I'm going to try to get it all tuned up and everything by next weekend. Tonight I go to Lowe's to buy a soldering iron for the rear turn signals.

Got another question too- I was thinking about building Nashville Bill's carb synch tool. Has anyone built this, and does it work well?

[mro]

I pull the vac gauge off my brake bleeder, put a hose clamp over hose with a small bolt between clamp and hose. Attach to carb, tighten until needle steadies. Do one carb at a time then go back and check em all agin. PITA........but cheep


mro