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Post by eagleeye on Mar 7, 2007 20:35:35 GMT -5
61 here,
My first 650 was a 1965 Triumph bonneville that I bought new, my 2nd 650 was a 1967 Triumph TT special, also new, my 3rd 650 was a 1975xs650 which I put 32,000 miles on, cut, chopped, and had lots of fun on before I sold it, have had some harleys and dirt bikes and now I've got a 1980 xs650 special that I am personalizing and also a 1986 1300cc Yamaha venture.
Steve
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Post by damian721 on Mar 13, 2007 1:26:59 GMT -5
I'm 28, myself. The Omen came out in '77, and Damian came out in '78 and my parents swear that they two are complete coincidences.... Right.... Absolute luck and happenstance is what led me to the XS. (just so happens that the same luck and happenstance has led me into just about everything I consider important in my life) Some guy was getting kicked out of a trailer park in town because his trailer was too unattractive... The thought still makes me chuckle.... And he had a 77D under a tarp in the driveway. $200 and it was mine. Then, a couple years later, a friend needed to get rid of his '80G so he could move, and I threw him $150. By that time, I had 2 motorcycles, 3 cars, and no garage... So I had to let something go... Having no experience with motorcycles at all, I let the '77 go. (for free guys... now doesn't that bake your noodle!) It didn't run at the time, but what's new, there?  And I didn't know about any of the internet resources... Alas... Anyway. About 200 more bucks into the '80, and I'm now tooling around at 14.5 VDC (thank you Jesus!!... And the electricity gods who bestowed the voltage upon me), and am looking to take it through some Colorado mountains this summer. Telluride's just up the way.... This is one hell of a 1st motorcycle to have. Don't get me wrong - I would (and will?) grab a solid V-Max at the 1st opportunity, but I think I'll always have an XS in my arsenal. They are just darned handy to have around. If for no other reason than to have a means to learn how to fix the inevitable "thing" that my go wrong with it! Damian. Still don't have that darn garage, though. Sigh... |
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gus33
Junior Member
'79 special
Posts: 69
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Post by gus33 on Mar 17, 2007 11:44:36 GMT -5
My chronological age is 44, but my girlfriend points out that I may never reach maturity. Last season when I went looking for a bike to play with, I found a '77 special in the paper (listed as a '79). The guy selling it even dropped the price because everyone who looked at it was disappointed that it didn't look like the new style bikes. Lucky me, poor them.
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Post by bigfatfxr on Mar 20, 2007 20:45:31 GMT -5
Hmmmm I'll bite what is the average age??? Good question. I'll do my part....I'm 56, was born in 50 been riddin/building since 68. I build everything I ride and love it. My partner cut her teeth driving my hot-rods in 66 at the tender age of 16 and has been ridding beside me since she started riding her own custom scoots in 77. She's a Sportster rider and still rides em like she stole em!!! Don't know what all that means cept that when I see young dudes with a "Choppers For Life" T-shirt I think hmmmm we'll see!!!!
Rubber side down shiney side up.......BigFatFxr
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Post by bigfatfxr on Mar 20, 2007 20:52:00 GMT -5
Hey Gus33....ain't it a samll world I'm from Regina too. Worked at FastWheels till last July.......second time retired. I see your new here too......cool site.
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gus33
Junior Member
'79 special
Posts: 69
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Post by gus33 on Mar 20, 2007 21:53:32 GMT -5
Bigfatfxr, good to meet you. I saw my first bike of the season out today. It was a huge Trike with a wild body. Gotta put my ride back together quick!!! How about you, ready to ride? Gus33
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Post by hesredbird on Mar 31, 2007 20:44:53 GMT -5
I'm 58, or will be in a few weeks, and my 1st bike was a BSA way back when I was a youngster. When I wanted to get back into riding, BSAs were as rare as size 30 pants in my closet so I opted for the economy version, or XS650. I would still like to have an old Beezer but I love the XS.
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ozzy
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by ozzy on May 11, 2007 21:40:38 GMT -5
Hello
Im 46 and had my 1976 xs650C since 1991.
Its undergoing surgery at the moment . hopefully back on the road - early 2008.
Dave
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Post by pctxs650 on May 13, 2007 14:42:56 GMT -5
20 here
Been riding dirt bikes and atvs since 13 or 14, got my permit and started riding my dad's '72 honda cl450 when i was 17. Back in March, my uncle tells me that one of his buddies has this bike sitting in his shop, doesn't run, first guy with $50 takes it. So i look at, did a little homework, (which is how I found this site), and went and brought home a '81 special. Replaced the rectifier/regulator unit, battery, and cleaned the carbs and now it fires right up every time. Still working on the title work for it, but I'm hoping to be on the road with it by the end of next week.
Nate
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dahondaboy
Full Member
if it aint broke, i'll fix it anyway!
Posts: 138
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Post by dahondaboy on May 14, 2007 9:59:25 GMT -5
well i just heard the call of the xs at 30 and ill be an xs650 rider for life now. you wont find a bike with a bigger (cult) following than this one ;D
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Post by 17mmspanner on May 28, 2007 7:30:56 GMT -5
44 . First bike was a Honda CB100N, then a BSA C15, BSA A65, Kawasaki Z250, Honda RS250, Honda 400/4, Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk1, Ducati Pantah Had a '76 650C as a company vehicle when I worked for Classic Bike around 10 years ago. Liked it bought my own 650B and have spent forever sorting it. I bought a complete heap to restore and on the day the company I got it from had a very clean ready to roll XS for less than 3x what I paid for mine  . And I could have afforded it, just. I bought the heap, even though I had sworn off restorations after the last one. Without exception every wearing part was worn out. So it's cost me a fortune. Friends now have strict instructions that if I express an interest in a bike that doesn't run they can use physical force to prevent another disaster. Chris (17mmspanner) |
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Post by bunnyhunter12 on Jul 27, 2007 19:25:32 GMT -5
Well I'm 23, I guess I'm still a young pup.
I got my first XS when I was 17 after spending my first year of motorcycle licensedom on a 1985 GS400S. My dad bought a 1980-something 1100 LTD and handed me down his 1980 XS650. I sold the GS and never looked back. At 23 I own two motorcycles and both are XS650's.
I don't like them because they're "cool" or "retro" or even "trendy" because around here, they aren't. I LOVE them because they are XS650's, and there is no other bike like them, never was, never will be.
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barb
Full Member
Posts: 226
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Post by barb on Jul 28, 2007 0:15:23 GMT -5
Hi guys, You think I'm telling my age, you're crazy! However--my first street bike was a 1959 Lambretta, next was a 1949 BSA D1 Bantam, then my Dad got me a Flathead 80" Harley, which was *way* too big and didn't last long. Next was a 1959 BSA A10 Road Rocket, and a Norton 650SS. Since then: Yamaha YDS-3, Suzuki X-6, SL-350, lots of BSA, Triumph and Norton bikes, as well as a couple of Matchless G80 500cc singles--and my wonderful 1977 XS650D. Fifty or sixty bikes, a couple of kids, two marriages, and perhaps someday I will "grow up", but I hope not..... But my age? Nope, not happening! (Been riding 40 years--that's as good a hint as you get.) Barb Yammies & Beezers |
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Post by dhansen on Jul 28, 2007 10:20:28 GMT -5
I'm 38 and I guess I just lucked into an xs650. I've never owned a motorcycle before, I rode them a little as a young teenager (my cousins had yamaha 80's). Earlier this year, for some reason, I decided it would be alot of fun to get a motorcycle - I was talking to one of those cousins about it when he said he had an old motorcycle in the barn that I could ride, if I could get it going. The bike had been sitting for 13 years, but with the help of this board, and lots of elbow grease, I'm driving it almost every day now. I've got about $900 into it now - $400 that I paid for it and another $500 into it. Not a bad price for something I can drive anywhere. I'm hoping to get a new Honda VTX 1300 in the spring, but will be keeping the xs650 regardless. It's perfect for driving back and forth to work, and a blast to ride. (Plus, I can do all of the work myself  ) |
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slow rider
Full Member
XS-H, TX-A, XS-C.
Posts: 195
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Post by slow rider on Sept 16, 2007 1:54:30 GMT -5
I'm 48. First bike was a Suzi 185, coz you could'nt ride anything over 250cc when on a learners permit down here.I was 17 and 9months coz thats how old you had to be to get one.When I was about 20 a bloke I knew was having trouble paying back his loan for his '76 C model,so I paid the $1100 and got the bike. Just trying to help him out. 27 years later and I've still got it. It sat in the shed for probably 15 years as I got a car,wife,kids... I got it out last year and made it go, now I've gone and bought another one, 74 TX. Must be an age thing.Cheers.
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And I didn't know about any of the internet resources... Alas...
. And I could have afforded it, just. I bought the heap, even though I had sworn off restorations after the last one. Without exception every wearing part was worn out. So it's cost me a fortune. Friends now have strict instructions that if I express an interest in a bike that doesn't run they can use physical force to prevent another disaster.
) 