What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Because the odometer finally rolled over your birthday! You were born on November the 55th of 1966. Leap year? Ok, I don't know.

 

By resetting the trip meter at 11556.6, I set it up so that in 789.0 miles the odo and trip meters will read 12345.6 and 789.0 respectively (11556.6 + 789.0 = 12345.6). Which would look pretty cool. And is a thing you can only do once in the life of a bike with a mechanical speedo.

Alas, 'tis not to be: after I reset the trip meter, it did not record the first tenth. So it appears that I will end up with 12345.6 and 788.9

Dangit. Well, maybe I'll try to get 23456.7 and 890.1 next time. But that won't be anywhere near as cool. I'd shoot for 98765.4 and 321.0, but I think I'll be about 90 years old by the time the bike reaches that mileage!

UPDATE: Now that I think of it, I have seven more chances to get it right, because the XJ's odometer reset isn't a push button; it's a knob. Which means that as I reset the trip meter, it passes through 111.1, 222.2, 333.3, etc. Each of which gives me the opportunity to try again. Next one is at (I think) 11667.7 miles on the odo, when I would reset the trip to 111.1 miles. The last chance will be at 12334.3 miles, when I would reset the trip to 777.7 miles. 11.3 miles later the odo will reat 12345.6 and the trip will read 789.0 (remember to carry the 1)...

About twenty years ago I saw a picture in an Aerostich catalog from a guy who did this on his airhead BMW. I think the Beemer had a push button trip reset, so he had exactly one chance to get it right. I have eight in all, failed the first time, seven left...

 

Smashed a few bugs today after changing the final drive oil. 79F it was a perfect day for a ride.

 

Found some cheap Amazon saddle bags that seem like they should work pretty good on the 900.

This is actually the second pair I tried. First ones (by "Vuudh") had an ill-conceived mounting system that I couldn't imagine would work on any bike I've ever owned.

These ones by Kemimoto are actually workable. They aren't the sturdiest bags I've seen, but they are darn near the cheapest - about $62 including tax. I think they'll be fine for on road use. Easily removable with just 4 buckles. Biggest concern is they aren't waterproof. They came with rain covers, but they are just held on with elastic and I give it about a 99% chance they'll blow off at highway speeds. I'll have to figure out some way of securing them better.

 

For longer journeys could you could use zip ties to add additional security?

 

I was thinking maybe some grommets in the cover and small bungies that go behind the bags so they can't slip off.

 

Yes they are better.

 

I can vouch for Oxford bags. A couple of years ago I lucked into a full set of Oxfords - the panniers, tank bag and tail bag plus an extension for the tank bag, all for 50 quid. Ok, they're red, but I don't five a guck about that.
They've been overloaded so many times to almost bursting during my shopping runs and haven't given the slightest sign of trouble from stitching or zips.
New prices would make your eyes water, but there are thousands of them out there that have only been used for maybe three summer tours, if that.