Keep posting it! I'm picking up my dad's 650 on the way back to Texas from Maine, albiet nearly a year from now. It is debatable what year it is, because it has 1980 (Special II) side covers, but has points ignition and aluminum wheels. I have heard for years that special II models only had cast wheels, or steel rims, that they had electronic ignition, and even Hitachi carbs! It has none of those. Guess I'll have to sort it out with the VIN.
Anyway, I'm thinking of doing a re-wind project, taking it from "special" spec to resemble more of the classic XS. Get rid of the buckhorn bars, small tank and universal black paint and tank badges. Dual disc front setup, probably keep the 16" rear wheel, since the variety of tires available is pretty much endless.
It needs electronic ignition for good starting. It will get new sprockets and a modern X ring chain, which it will probably never wear out (it has a 530 chain!). It will get sealed wheels for tubeless running, Race Tech front springs amd Gold Valves, and more than likely 13 series Progressive rear shocks, chrome bodies with black springs. It has a king & queen seat cover, but that will get dumped, and it will get a custom made foam block with gel inserts and a more contemporary cover hand made by my good friend Ruben.
Other than that, and good solid lighting, it will get a traditional paint job, and a hell of a cleanup.
Any comments or ideas?
I intend to do a rad job on another bike, (think Road Warrior) but that will probably be a late 90's-early 2000's Honda Shadow (probably 750, but won't rule out an 1100, as long as it is an offset crank motor, so it can pull like hell, instead of just sounding good (single pin 1100's lose about 15-18% of the top end to vibration limited
rev ceilings).
That's in the future though, probably my "not over the hill" statement when I hit 50. Right now, the 650 will be the mid-lifer I guess. Is 41 too early for mid-life?