81' Heritage Special

JohnP

XS400 Member
Messages
25
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32
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Location
Alabama
My father in law bought this bike new. This was in upstate N.Y. and he kept it in a shed and had it serviced every year until 99' when he drained the fuel and parked it for the last time. In 2010 he gave it to me and I brought it to Alabama where I checked the oil and chain put air in the tires added some gas started it up ran it up and down my driveway a couple of times and put it up in the back of the garage until tonight. My youngest son is a senior in college and has a 125 K-Pipe and was wanting to get something a little bigger. I told him I would get it running for when he is home for Thanksgiving. I want to give it a new life weather for him or me.
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Welcome to the forum! You have a nice complete bike. Just knock the big chunks of dirt off, wash the cobwebs off and scrub some of the rust and it should be a really nice looking bike.
 
Thank's, the one thing I need to address is the air intake rubber. I took the air boxes off after the last time I ran it because I saw some cracks. After a close inspection last night I don't see any cracks going all the way through. I will give updates as I go. Thanks again, John
 
Beautiful bike. The color-matched fenders look really sharp, and that pillion seatback is something else!

I had similar rust on my '81 Special II's chrome bits, and a brass brush did a great job of removing it without scuffing the chrome.
 
Beautiful bike. The color-matched fenders look really sharp, and that pillion seatback is something else!

I had similar rust on my '81 Special II's chrome bits, and a brass brush did a great job of removing it without scuffing the chrome.
Thanks, after I get it running good I'll probably do a detail clean and polish and and probably repaint the tank fenders and side covers.
 
I pulled the tank covered all the openings and rolled it out for a cleaning along with a little rust removal. I realized that one of the air boxes was missing so that is on the way. I vaguely remember a quick search for air cleaners when I first brought it south and am sure I will come across it after the replacement gets here. one of my older sons said he remembers me telling hi that there was a problem with the petcock so I also ordered a rebuild kit for it.
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