Old friend still giving

[dbbrian]

Some of you might know the story of how I got the bike...if not....

It was an old friend of mine named ED who let me borrow his XS11 a few times about 37 years ago that really got me into it. I never forgot that bike, the exhilarating ride that made my eyes water the very first time I ran it up through all the gears as fast as I could. I lost track of Ed over the years as we moved to different cities. But I have always wanted a bigger bike, and had been casually searching kijiji and ebay every now and then to see what an XS went for.

So when I found out the guy at my new place of work had one of those XS11's, we got to talking, and a year & half later the bike is in my garage.

I then tried to find my old friend to share the news, but it was difficult, until I tried his brother who still runs a seafood store in nearby Kitchener. After a couple of calls he finally let me know some bad news - my friend Ed had a stroke and really doesn't feel good about himself and has become kind of a recluse, not seeing friends anymore.

So I went to the house Ed shared with another guy that I suspected still lived there by the nature of the "collections" in the yard. We had a good talk, looked at my bike he recognized, and reminisced about Ed, sadly. He also is into bikes, has an old racing Triump, and works on old Model T's, lots of railroad stuff - interesting guy

He mentioned he had some sort of tool hanging around somewhere that was from Ed's bike that might be useful to me, rummaged around but couldn't find it. Said it was a wire thing. That was last year.

I just stopped in tonight again to say Hi, and he says "I have something for you. Lo and behold - the WIRE TOOL!

He would not take any money for it. Said the one to thank was our old friend Ed who left it behind.

So now I have one, and it is extra special to me because the history behind it. Who would have thought!

I will try writing my old friend a letter, maybe his brother can deliver it and who knows....

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwZ...ew?usp=sharing

Brian

[donebysunday]

What is it, what does it do please ?

[skids]

What is it, what does it do please ?

This is the gizmo that lifts the trailing arm up so the that you can access the rear axle because the mufflers would otherwise be in the way. This here is no need for it with later models as Yamaha shortened the exhaust system.

[motoman]

This is the gizmo that lifts the trailing arm up so the that you can access the rear axle because the mufflers would otherwise be in the way. This here is no need for it with later models as Yamaha shortened the exhaust system.

..........shortened AND upswept above axle bolt on Specials/Venturers/Maxim(XJ).

[dbbrian]

Where to store

Perhaps the lack of need on later models is why they are seldom seem, or because they don't store in the tool pouch..

I noted the diagram on how to use it is on the flap of the storage pocket inside the left cover. So it made sense to me that it might coil up and this is where it should be stored, that is until I saw it in person. It doesn't fit because of the "buckles" and there is no way it would fit in the tool pouch and go int that triangle space.

So anyone know if it was meant to be stored on the bike?

[MaximPhil]

Perhaps the lack of need on later models is why they are seldom seem, or because they don't store in the tool pouch..

I noted the diagram on how to use it is on the flap of the storage pocket inside the left cover. So it made sense to me that it might coil up and this is where it should be stored, that is until I saw it in person. It doesn't fit because of the "buckles" and there is no way it would fit in the tool pouch and go int that triangle space.

So anyone know if it was meant to be stored on the bike?

Hi Brian,
Unique to the early standards. I think i have seen a picture of one coiled up in the side cover. However like so many things once out of the original packaging. I suspect it would need to be spoken to severely in fluent Japanese and threatened with pickling in Sake to stand a chance of getting it back in

Phil

[3Phase]

That's where mine lives for my '80G.
I even have the lever for it now so I don't have to pull the shocks to use the thing.



If you have way more patience than I do, it will fit in with the tool bag in the tool compartment.

[dbbrian]

its possible

OK, so you proved it is possible. looks like a special way with the buckles to the hinge side where its deeper.

I'll try the Sake and foul Japanese language in the garage for a while and see how I do.

Thanks.

[3Phase]

The cable does actually fit in the tool bag but I don't have an x-ray camera so I had to leave it out for the picture or no one would believe it.

Stick it in a plastic baggie under the side cover, it's a lot easier to store and use but it does get rid of a few perfectly good opportunity for drinking and swearing.

Use a baggy for the registration too, it's supposed to live in that little compartment under the side cover.

[motoman]

Hi Brian,
Unique to the early standards. I think i have seen a picture of one coiled up in the side cover. However like so many things once out of the original packaging. I suspect it would need to be spoken to severely in fluent Japanese and threatened with pickling in Sake to stand a chance of getting it back in

Phil

Even though not needed, My Venturer came new with the cable assembly rolled up inside the left side cover.