Potential new project

[Schming]

Congrats on your new XSive aquisition James.

Lookin' forward for the build thread

I know She'll be a looker.

[James England]

Congrats on your new XSive aquisition James.

Lookin' forward for the build thread

I know She'll be a looker.

Thanks! I'm going to keep a good photo record of the whole process this time.im really looking forward to getting started on it! The object of the exercise is to make the bike exceptional and look like new....the quest begins today!!

[natemoen]

Crongrats James! Looking forward to it!

[xs650man]

Good on ya James ! Nothing like a new toy eh

[mikubuilder]

Congrats James, let's see if your German pipe supplier still in business; )
Looking forward to the build thread

[Prisoner6]

Yes!

Congratulations, James! And welcome back to the XS fold!

Though I think can speak for the XS collective when I say that you never really did leave the family ... Well done!

[Wildkat]

Congratulations James!
Knew you would find another one.

Looking forward to seeing the progress on this one!

[Mathh]

well done James!

[crazy steve]

Given what nice, no-work-needed examples go for over there, you got that bike at a pretty good price..

[James England]

Thanks folks! I feel like a properly 'belong' again, after lurking for so long XS-less.

The bike is due for collection by a trusty bike transporter that I've used several times before. It works out only slightly more expensive than collecting it myself and it will save me a 6 hour round trip too. He's collecting on Monday, and there are apparently several spares and extras included too. I should have the bike sometime next week...the courier collects several bikes on a long run and drops them off on a circuit, so I have every hope that I'll have the bike next week some time.

I'm going to start with a photo record in detail of the bike's present condition and then go on from there. I'm resisting the urge to buy spares and decals etc now, and will force myself to wait until the bike gets here and then work on an accurate list of things to be acquired, fixed, tweaked and so on.

I really am very pleased to have finally got what I was after. My idea is a leisurely restoration for fun but I suspect that I might end up getting so enthused that I get on with it immediately and keep at it until it's completed, just like last time.

So, pix to follow and ....let the project commence!!

[ViperRon]

You know James we really appreciate you and your input on things here. We know you will do an exceptional job. But if you really want to go over the top like you normally do. I have an idea how, you know how you got all those rear wheel bearings no one could find and found a way of selling to us at such a good price. Yea we loved you for that. Well you know you are going after those stainless beauty's that all the guy's here have sloobered over. So get more and sell them here and we will love you all the more.

[James England]

You know James we really appreciate you and your input on things here. We know you will do an exceptional job. But if you really want to go over the top like you normally do. I have an idea how, you know how you got all those rear wheel bearings no one could find and found a way of selling to us at such a good price. Yea we loved you for that. Well you know you are going after those stainless beauty's that all the guy's here have sloobered over. So get more and sell them here and we will love you all the more.

well, I did diversify into assisting you USA cousins to convert to the lovely European riding position by sending parts over, and fancy clutch inspection covers etc..it was a bit nerve-racking last time as US Customs delayed the package for inspection due to concerns about the obvious. So....mmmm.....stainless exhausts..... The problem is shipping, eh? I bought a full GL1000 system from the USA but the shipping was high.

If there were enough demand, it might be possible to ship an international pallet or similar, say with several systems on it. But, the USA being so huge, you'd then have the costs of redistribution once the pallet or whatever gets there. Frustrating!! Having said all that, international shipping is coming down in price for many weight categories and it isgetting easier. But...there's always customs duty in the USA etc..... Bit of a minefield. Might be worth a try though???

[James England]

Update and pix

Well, Folks, the bike arrived this afternoon. Flat battery and flooding carbs (as the PO mentioned to me). I've not tried to start the bike yet as it's covered in filth and I want to get the loose mud etc off before mucking about with anything.... It looks to be mainly all there..all the expensive fiddly bits are present...so mainly original and definitely worth a resto, I'd say, pending getting the engine actually running. The exhaust is all stainless and has internal baffles, so may not be too noisy....

Here's some pix...





















Here's a 'wet-look' pic after spraying the bike with UK Gold degreaser........ I'll rinse it off later and see what is revealed.....






Finally, here's a budding XSive...light of my life..... (The boy, not the bike)

[crazy steve]

Very nice starting point; every one I've bought used looked far worse than that...

Definitely has/had a fuel mixture issue on 3/4 judging by how discolored the right side exhaust is. And I still like those shorter pipes, gives the bike a bit less 'formal' look, more 'sporty'...

[IanDMacDonald]

I bet that blue looks great in the sun!