Thanks again for all the good advice! 752 mile trip home safe

Thank you for all your help! I had to go see my aunt in NH as she is on her death bed. I took the bike because I wanted to give it a good test after rebuilding the engine and doing countless things to the bike over the last 8 years. during that time, I ran it and put 12,000 miles on it. I never left the state of Conn. and maybe went 200 miles on a highway in all those years. Mostly because I did not have a windshield installed until now. It helps a lot with the wind. The only problem is I have a real bad back and it was vary painful. Took me 12 hours to get home and it was about 300 miles. Had to stop every half hour or so and rest. I installed a thick jell pad in the seat and foot pegs so I can change positions. I stood when I could and leaned forward and back. Took pain pills and anti inflammation pills. I still had horrible pain. Is there anything I can do to the bike or add to the seat that will help?

 

Try one of those compression wraps for the back. I found the support helps considerably in my job driving truck.
Copper fit is just one of the available brands.

~Ghost

 

Zannies and Lil Wayne albums. Or Lean and some Wacka Flacka albums



Or the real,


Try a pair of cycling shorts as they have a gel bottom which will help with the shock absorption. I've heard of Dual sport riders using then when riding dirt roads.



IT'S GUCCI BABY

 

One of those back braces with the metal stays in the back and velcro on the sides for adjustment
with two shoulder straps always seems to help. They're cheap and available at Lowes or Home Depot.
Watch out for pain killers when you ride.

 

The suspension on bikes made in this century is amazing compared to XJ's

 

I never tried a Harley. The XJ1100 has adjustable air suspension but it's still a 34 year old bike.

 

Make sure there is a backrest, And I like to put a good sized stuff bag strapped to the passenger seat between me and the backrest. then I can lean right on that just like in a comfy chair. A well-supported back, and windscreen at the front.....good to go all day long.

 

Yeah I do have a bag on the passenger seat. I also had a larger 50lb bag on top of that one for the trip. But it did not support my lower back. It helped. I have an arthritic back and hip. It's bad to begin with. Most ppl that know me thought I was crazy for even trying it. I am you know a bit crazy.......lol

 

+1 0n a backrest or a bag. If you can swing the $$ get a seat made to fit YOUR backside.

 

Just read a 1980 review of the XJ650 SECA version, (that was unavailable in the US at the time) the authors made a Big Point of how this "Euro Version" with the straighter handlebars, rear mounted footpegs and lean forward riding angle took the load off of the spine/tailbone and allowed you to ride for hours without discomfort, unlike the "Cruiser" styled USA Maxim model. Maybe SECA handlebars and footpegs would help a bad back? I'm a novice, just passing along the 1980 road test narrative. Will post a link if I find it again. Cruiser.

 

I am thinking about going back into the seat and cutting a hole in the 2 inch thick gel pad I installed a few years ago. I am thinking that if I cut out a peace where my tailbone rest that could help alive some pressure. And if I take a trip again I will try a back brace.

 

I wouldn't cut out any peace.... I'd want it more peaceful for the tailbone

 

lol Yeah my English skills are challenged