The XS650 Lives Up To It's Reputation

Yes, I know... XS650s are an electrical mess. Well, Bessie (remember I named her after a stubborn cow that she is) has lived up to the reputation of her comrades. While I was home in Florida I bought her a new electrical harness and man I was excited to see that sitting there waiting for me when I got home to Dallas. I just knew that it would solve all of my problems... HA! I did make pretty good progress, but with a few wires that was questionable and a melted mess I had run into a wall. I have never been one to toot my own horn or think that I am a great motorcycle mechanic... I'm still a beginner at a lot of the mechanical and electrical aspects, so like Regis Philbin asks: "Would you like to phone a friend?" "YES!" Being very lucky for this assistance Bessie has had some life sparked back into her.

Original Harness 

 New Harness

Now I'll say that I started to get pretty negative about ever getting this bike running again, especially since December has not been a good month (see previous blog post). However, with this help I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This brings me to think about people who don't ask for help. I mean, wouldn't you feel like an idiot if you completely messed up something and then had someone help you? I'm a fan of listening to my conscience and by doing so I was handsomely rewarded with a running bike and learning more about working on bikes. I really think that people need to spend more time thinking about their actions on a regular basis and no that is not just the behavioral therapist in me... it's clearly supported on a daily basis by the idiotic things that people do. 

Better than working outside in the cold

So with a bike that is no longer sitting in my living room, I decided that I would give it some exercise. I didn't want to venture off into traffic or too far from the apartment in case something happen... guess it was my gut instinct. With a few sweet words, Bessie rolled on. I kept her in second gear for most of the time, which I feel is pretty good for not running since July. Her electrical cut out while I was cruising along around 15 mph or so, so I let her roll and I slowed her down. After putting the bike back in neutral and letting it sit for a min while I went to get more gas and throw the battery on the charger just in case she was feeling a little drained. Well, I came back and she started right up... HAPPY DANCE! I rode her around and around the apartment complex doing as I did before and as I was turning around... BAM! electrical cuts off again except this time in mid turn. This sucked for two reasons 1) I broke my clutch lever and mirror and 2) I have never dropped a bike in all my years of riding. I quickly picked her up (surprised that I did since it was on a incline and weighs almost 500 lbs) and parked her in a parking space. Me and my bruised ego went back to the apartment to drink some water and clear my head. Bessie went from stubborn cow to one that was uncooperative and pissed off like she was going to the meat market. After my little break I went out to her and convinced her that neutral was a good place to be instead of second gear... this required a swift kick, but she got the point. No leaks or damage beside what I have already mentioned and now the power is flickering. As I hang my head in shame and walk the bike back to the carport I think about the millions of other bikes that I could buy at this moment, but no... I love this bike way too much. I cruised up to Bates to get a new clutch and brake lever (yes, I'm a girl and wanted them to match) along with a new mirror.

After a proper charge and me popping a few Advil from Bessie's narcoleptic episode which resulted in me kissing pavement, I through the battery back in. She is running again, but now some of the instruments are not lighting up... they were yesterday even after everything. I replaced what I needed to cosmetically and will wait another time to figure out what is happening with her. I'm taking the day off from dealing with her electrical attitude problem.

                     Silver clutch and brake levers are now black which was actually on the original bike.

Rockabettie