The XT500 has gone to a new owner, leaving a hole in the garage. Luckily that is now going to be filled by another bike....http://triumph650-rebuild.blogspot.com/ !!!

Snow!

It's snowed for the first time in years, so I had to get the XT out and see what it's like!

Done and dusted

Well here it is at last, on the road and being used after years in pieces in a shed. After the initial euphoria has worn off, here are some riding impressions - it's old, slow and vibes a bit. What on earth was I expecting?! Still it's way cool and above all it's FUN.

Started by taking it easy because of the new piston and re-bored cylinder and changed the oil after a couple of hundred miles. Picked up the pace a bit after that and started getting pinking/pinging issues. Reckon the extra point of compression, free-flowing K&N and the Micron exhaust need a drop more juice so have gone up a couple of sizes on the main jet which has almost cured the problem. Will probably raise the needle a notch too, and see if it's better still.

The more I ride it the more I realise it's a tough old thing and thrives on revs, wheelies and being generally chucked about. Ace.

Fitted the tank at the weekend to see what it's going to look like. Still got the wiring to do, but I managed to work out the gap for the contact breaker and set the static timing.

Really looking good!

Nearly there! Have painted the tank and rear mudguard, painted the shocks, had the springs powdercoated and the spring collars re-chromed and rebuilt them. Control cables are nearly all fitted and the wiring is starting to come together. Have decided on the 1976 appearance (not 1977 which is the actual year of the bike) and applied the vinyl graphics - I know it's a nerdy point and the purists may disagree, but it's my bike and I like the '76 look. I'm not trying to pass it off as something it's not. Just need to spray the tank with clear, petrol-resistant laquer and finish the wiring. I can't wait!

Wheels and wiring

Not much blogging, not much action. I fitted the front wheel then found it was off-centre by 5 to 8mm which caused much head-scratching. Eventually I slackened off all the spokes on the off-side and tightened all the spokes on the nearside and it all pulled up OK (though it was easier said than done!)

I've now started on the wiring, made much easier by a spanking new loom from Andrew Mason at Xt500parts. Sadly he's giving up his business which involved the remanufacture of hard-to-find XT parts, but the guys at Kedo are taking over some of the work. Andrew was always very good to deal with and unfailingly polite.

Removing the 16-year-old Pirelli from the rear was the cause of much straining at a rock-hard carcass (and no I don't mean my bod) owing to the extreme cold in the unheated garage, but it gave up the struggle last night. Once I have fitted a replacement rear and got the rear wheel in place I'll be able to lower the bike off the bench and sit astride it for the first time.

Next jobs are:- finish wiring, paint tank and rear mudguard, find an exhaust (!) and attempt a startup...!

The engine is in the frame! I also re-covered the seat, fitted the yokes, forks and handlebar.