What are you doing whilst in 'self-isolation'?

[Bill P]

How do you rate the XS650 Kev i've always fancied one or the Kwak 750 twin but never
have yet

[kev edwards]

How do you rate the XS650 Kev i've always fancied one or the Kwak 750 twin but never
have yet

I love them, nice motor though they can rattle a bit, my last one was as quiet as a church mouse, it's a nice grunty motor, any major work the motor has to come out as you can't get the top cover off, frame is typical Yamaha with very little paint, the only thing i don't like is the rubber mounted bars, they make it feel vague, and of course as with most classics nothing is cheap to buy for them, this one owes me way more than it's worth.

[r3sc]

I’ve made an early start on the strip and clean of my A1.

I hadn’t intended to do anything with it until the start of winter but as things are I’ve made a start and I’m going to start and clean the back face of the motor and I’ve also stripped and ultrsonically cleaned the carbs which I will rebuild once all the bits arrive.

It was to be a major strip in October on including powder coat to the frame, new wheels, Busso exhaust system etc but I’m not sure I could achieve all that currently so doing some easy bits with the hope it can still be on the road this summer.

Photo of carbs is before cleaning!

[Bill P]

Nice little job you've got there looking forward to the after photo of the carbs

[Bill P]

Heres a few bits i've fetched back from "The Painter" the other day

[r3sc]

Wow Bill, you’re keeping Sean busy all on your own!

They look really nice, are you pleased with them?

[Bill P]

Yes mate all bob on as usual , even managed to sort the tail fin which is flat on the end unlike a Z1
its going on a 900 im playing with at moment He did Triumph letters white so i will have to get
airfix brush out , there was a look of devilment in his eyes on mentioning it

[Bill P]

Got my old Tractor out its been a while since she ran due to being stored out the way while the garage she lives in
with camper an a few bike spares was rebuilt ,popped her little transport box on and she's helping my mate moving
a bit of Limestone building stone about

[Gyesdad]

Finally managed to clean the carbs and finally finish the 550 I bought 2.5 years ago..
Grabrail has been fitted but it still needs the engine sprucing up, but I'll fun it for a while first and do that over the winter

[Gyesdad]

I also rescued this from a dark and forgotten corner of the garage...


Gary.

[r3sc]

Today I’ve been busying myself with handlebars!

For months I’ve been looking for a set of OEM bars for my A1 so that I can route the wiring through them as they should be.

The main problem was that I couldn’t find a set which had the holes for the wires as well as the centre boss between the clamps so I decided to try and find a solution.

So, this is what I’ve come up with.

I bought a new set of high bars with holes from zpower along with a short piece of chrome plated tube of the correct dimensions from eBay.

I cut the slot in the short piece of tube and then slit it down it’s length to enable me to open it up. I slipped it over the bars, re formed it to its correct shape and simply JB welded it to the bars. No brazing, no heat at all and I’m pretty sure that unless you know you’d really need to inspect it to work it out.

I’m pleased with it and although NOT original, it looks like it is!

The things we do with time on our hands eh!

[Bill P]

Nice toys Gyesdad and a very nice job on the bars to Pete

[r3sc]

Hi Bill,

What’s with the tractor? Shouldn’t it be grey or is that a different tractor altogether?

I hope it’s not your everyday runaround out there!!

[Gyesdad]

Nice toys Gyesdad and a very nice job on the bars to Pete

Thanks Bill, I trust you're keeping well

If you look closely behind the 888 there's a '71 Bonneville T120R


Gary.

[Bill P]

Its a Massey Ferguson FE35 1958 i believe its the correct colour my mate said they turned red in 57 yep daily transport with
a piece of straw in corner of my mouth mate

Hey up Gary
all good thanks hope you are to
yep i spotted it i've a couple of triumphs myself now