A bit of inspiration for anyone struggling with a rebuild...

So just a little bit of inspiration for anyone struggling with getting their bikes back on the road.

My XJ was in pretty rough shape, but after a little bit of patience and a whole lot of swearing, I got her going again. And after building up my confidence, I just completed a 1700 mile journey around the southern half of California. At times riding for two hours straight going 85mph. It was completely trouble free, save for a slight issue with a sticking throttle, but it only happened during the last 30 minutes of the 5 days.

Getting ready to head out in Napa.


Rained all the way down to San Luis Obispo on HWY 1


After we headed south to Santa Barbara and LA. This is at the condor preserve, a little detour.


No pictures in LA, but then we headed out the famous highway 2 north of LA.


Then east through the red rock canyon.


Then north up to the Alabama hills and Mount Whitney






So I'm just saying- It's possible to get a 30 year old bike in good enough shape to go anywhere you damn well please.

 

Nice man, really nice. Glad to see another one back on the road doing what it was built to do. Did you keep track of how far you could go on a tank or were you having too much fun?

 

Great pictures!

 

Well I never pushed the mileage, and I brought an extra liter of fuel just in case. I was getting around 45mpg with all my gear and some NASTY headwinds going about 80mph. I checked it about 5-6 times and it was pretty consistent. Pretty much got around 190 miles before reserve/getting nervous.

 

Re: A bit of inspiration for anyone struggling with a rebuil

great pics, it looks like it was a good, albeit dusty ride. I like that fairing. where did you get it? and does it make any difference?

CN

 

Awesome pics

 

http://www.flyncycle.com/street/street- ... -15-b.html

is the source for the windscreen. Fits the 8" headlight like a glove. It keeps a decent amount of wind off your torso, but wont protect your head unless you really tuck down on the tank.

 

nice! thanks

CN

 

Good stuff! We can only dream of sitting on those speeds with our draconian police enforcement what are the limits over there. I would frame some of those photos if I were you,

 

Good stuff! We can only dream of sitting on those speeds with our draconian police enforcement what are the limits over there. I would frame some of those photos if I were you,

 

Re: A bit of inspiration for anyone struggling with a rebuil

Well the speed limit is 70mph, but almost everyone on roads like that are going 80-90. It's hard to follow the speed limit when the road only has a slight turn every 10 miles. I think the cops would bust you at 90, but with almost everyone doing 15 over, its pretty hard to pick a loser.

 

Nice, I love the Seca style. Is that an aftermarket luggage rack? If so, what is it?

 

Re: A bit of inspiration for anyone struggling with a rebuil

lacuca,

Great pictures. Always good to see members get some of the most of what these bikes were built for and why we maintain them.

Roc

 

Re: A bit of inspiration for anyone struggling with a rebuil

wish we had some wilderness places like that, great pics,

what are those 2 cylinders under the rear rack?
stu

 

Bensalf, I think those cylinders are these
http://www.thetooltube.com/ToolTube.html
Lacucarache, bike looks good and it looks like a nice selection of roads too,feels good a long ride on an old bike you can rely on doesn't it?

 

I am doing the same sort of thing so thanks for the inspiration. I've had the XJ for about 6 months sorting things out slowly. Hoping to do a non stop run from Malin head to Mizzen head in Ireland in a day. That's top to bottom of our small country. Its only about 350 miles but the roads are crap!

 

Re: A bit of inspiration for anyone struggling with a rebuil

thanks "gonabuild1"
good idea, for storage
stu