First ride

[mack]

After the rebuild of my E. It's so strange that each of these bikes feel so different. This E is far more aggressive than the others. Everything is more aggressive, the way you sit, the feel of the bars and how positive the response is. This one wants u to ride it to the limits, and runs so smooth from 4-8 K. This was a total rebuild so the crank shells, con rod shells etc are all new. I just pushed everything up to the blues, maybe that's why it's so smooth. The bike feels mechanical to me though. Can't articulate it though but it just doesn't have personality for me. Everything clicks into place when it should and it's smooth but it just isn't like my SF. Maybe it's me I don't know, I've had the SF for 38 years and we seem to have an understanding. This E just feels foreign to me. Has anyone else noted that they seem top heavy? I haven't had a chance yet to put it through it's paces but it doesn't seem a agile as my SF.

[bikerphil]

Yep, owning both, I feel the Standard feels more top heavy than the more nimble Special. It might have something to do with the taller 17" rear wheel.

[motoman]

For me, standing astride each model, then stand up on feet when astride each, Special has a lower seating position and a whole lot of air between you and the seat compared to the Standard.

[mack]

This bike

could get me into a lot of trouble. I'm wondering if I slack off the steering head a bit if I can't restore the ability to throw this rig around. I will experiment this summer to find the fine line of safe stability. it sure is a work of art.
I have no feedback like my others. This one feels the same as at 3k or 8k. Smooth and sweet. I had a rough time today, trying to explain to the cops why I was 40 mph over the limit with no plate.Two very cool girls. They followed me back to my shop and checked out my fleet. Very nice kids. Any way, at a certain point in your life you realize, everyone is seems like a kid. I hate getting old but it's better than the alternative I suppose!

[IanDMacDonald]

I feel the same way Mack. The XS is becoming long in the tooth as-far as stabiliry, suspension, manueverabilty, etc. I'm not willing to dump another $1k into it for upgraded suspension. Eventually I'll have to do the steering head bearings, as it's getting scary on the highway. If it's not the bearings, it's the tires. Idk. One key factor that let me know something is wrong, is that I can no-longer go low and fast on the highway on-ramp circles. The bike feels like it's going to slide from underneath me.

[MaximPhil]

could get me into a lot of trouble. I'm wondering if I slack off the steering head a bit if I can't restore the ability to throw this rig around. I will experiment this summer to find the fine line of safe stability. it sure is a work of art.
I have no feedback like my others. This one feels the same as at 3k or 8k. Smooth and sweet. I had a rough time today, trying to explain to the cops why I was 40 mph over the limit with no plate.Two very cool girls. They followed me back to my shop and checked out my fleet. Very nice kids. Any way, at a certain point in your life you realize, everyone is seems like a kid. I hate getting old but it's better than the alternative I suppose!

Hi Mack,
Escorted home by the Police.....now that is the way to start an interesting story
Having had the privilege of riding a very special Special I can say the Standard is a very different ride.

Phil

[mack]

Hi Phil

Ya it was a funny story. I'd been out for a good ride and lost the rear brake. Forgot to properly tighten the locking not on the mc shaft so I carefully rode it home and found the issue. I let the bike cool down and noted a few drips of oil, but I'm not tightening anything but head bolts at this stage. It still has the very thin break in oil in it so the motor runs a bit hotter than usual to let all the mating surfaces conform to each other.
Anyway I just wanted to go for a quick ride to tune the controls , mirrors etc to myself, so I didn't suit up with my jacket etc. Got it out on the road and it was really running good so I figured ok just a bit farther. I was maybe a bit aggressive but the motor is so smooth that unless you really watch the speedo it easy to get above the recommended speed limit. Anyway these two young female cops passed me going the other way and dialed around on the road so I pulled over and shut it off, then realized all my stuff was in my jacket in the shop.
They both rode as well and couldn't believe it was a 1978. One said here dad had one and still talks about it. So after I explained my situation and that I restore them, they agreed to follow me home to get my stuff and see the other bikes. Took pictures for her dad, I said you know when I was a delinquent all the cops were old fat guys and asked when they started hiring models. Well after some other banter they told me to watch the speedo more until I got used to it, punched me in the shoulder for emphasis and left.

[DeanR]

Well good for those two ladies. Pleasant outcome Mack.

[mack]

For your viewing pleasure

https://youtu.be/wB5Jfbp6SUc,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaI3...ature=youtu.be

With regard to the officers, when did they start driving brown 4x4 unmarked WTF!

[DeanR]

Another beauty.....

but it's not black !

[timktm]

PURDY! She looks nice!

[mikubuilder]

looks so nice !

[mack]

Well

I've put 492 miles on it since it's rebirth. The more I ride it the more I like it. It certainly is a different bike and superior in many ways. It wants you to ride it hard and when I say ride I mean move around the bike and help it corner. This is not a docile ride. It's level of function is directly proportional to your participation and input. You can't get lazy at velocity that's for sure!!!

[3Phase]

Oh heck yeah, nicely done, Mack! Not the bike, the movement of smoothness with the ladies!

.

[mack]

Well!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome back my friend. The deal is still on but I have everything apart right now to show a new member what's what. I don't want him to be afraid of doing it so I will spend a weekend with him putting it back together and doing all the checks. Then he can help me get it in a box with wheels on it, then off to you. Be patient my friend. Also you might find this interesting, my low reading on #2 was due to a loose exhaust header. All At 168 ish now.