S7 Clutch Release Bearing Mod

The VXB 6x14x5mm Miniature Thrust Bearings arrived today and were easily installed in place of the original balls.  I added some moly grease for extra insurance.  The height gain was only a few thousandths from the worn parts, and easily allowed the clip ring to be replaced with room to spare.

Mid Ohio AMA Vintage Races

The "Friends of Nature" motorcycle gang attended the AMA Vintage Races at Mid Ohio this year.  We left Wednesday night, stopped in Bedford, then continued on to Lexington.  It only rained once on Friday, and was great for the rest of the weekend.

We stopped at the Flight 93 crash site memorial, but there wasn't a memorial.... they're still building it.  It should be rather impressive when complete.  You can see a pile driver in the background.

From RT30 we took RT119 south and then I-70 west, cut up RT18 and then onto RT39 till we reached our destination.  It was stinko hot out nearly reaching 100'F.  Keeping hydrated was key.  We stopped briefly in Steubenfille area for some lunch, to find the bikes slowly sinking into the pavement... well every bike except the Guzzi... the large kickstand is ideal for parking ANYWHERE.  Italian engineering at its finest.

The trick is arrive early at the raceway.  We got primo parking spots in the middle of everything, so we could return to the bikes for things.

Going through the swap meet area is always the best.  You never know what you might see.  It was rather annoying to have to dodge all the people on their pit-bikes.  We eventually gave up and stood our ground, since they weren't supposed to be running around on bikes throughout the facility anyway.  We saw some awesome examples of British, Italian and Japanese bikes.  Curtis found a modified CB77, with a 350 four cyl engine.  It was sweet.  He should have bought it on the spot.  Well worth the price in my opinion.  There were lots of Guzzi's running around and some for sale too.  I kept getting enthusiastic waves from the Guzzista in attendance.  (We are a passionate bunch you know)  I had the only modern Cali in attendance.

Most notably for me there were two Sunbeams for sale.  An early S7 and a later one.  They were in rather sorry shape, and the owner didn't seem too interested in parting them out.  (I really could have used that later model dynamo.)  The black early S7 wasn't too bad.  It probably needed a head gasket and the gearbox rebuilt.  Most of the parts were there.

We elected to stand in line Saturday to ride the CAN AM Spyder.  What a waste of time.  They were horrible.  Flappy Paddle Gearbox was worthless, the handling was twitchy, and the engine sounded as if it would tear itself apart with vibration.  All our throttle hands got numb on the short ride, and we condemned those 3-wheel monstrosities as unfit.  If they didn't have traction control and a computer onboard, then they would be downright deadly.

All in all we had a great time, watching the racing, and checking out all the bikes on display and for sale.  All the bikes performed flawlessly.  My California likes the open highway, but perhaps a windshield will be in order... and maybe a throttle lock.  I think we'll do it next year as well.

Porsche Conversion

A weak area of the XS650 engine is the valve adjuster rockers.  The adjuster provides a small area of high pressure to actuate the valve.  This combined with limited oiling causes premature wear and pitting of the valve stem and adjuster screw.

One method to mitigate this is to intall Porsche 911 "elephants feet" adjusters.  The conseuqence is that the rockers need to be machined down 4mm on the threaded side so that the socket part of the "elephants feet" adjuster fits.

First I disassembled the head.



Then the adjusters were machined off precisely (with an angle grinder), and kept cool by plunging the part in water occassionally.



The result is a quiet running engine, with increased life.

Yamaha XS650

1979 - Yamaha XS650 Special
The most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.  This machine is totally bulletproof.
I purchased it from some kid in Perry County for a few hundred bucks.  It needed new main bearings, new rings, all new seals.
This is how it looked when I got it.


The photo taken after the Friends of Nature 2007 tour to Bennezette, PA.
Here it is shown with new seat upholstery, fork gaitors, drag bars with 4" risers, an XS750 sissy bar, Neutronics optically triggered electronic ignition, 32-tooth rear sprocket.


Here's the XS650 in the final form in 2008.
The confused cruiser/chopper look was getting old.
CAFE is RETRO

"The Mighty One" has over 32,000 miles now and still going strong!
55mpg makes it perfect for commuting to work.
XS650 supporters

Mikes XS
650 Central
650rider
Speed and Sport Inc
Black Widow Choppers