A DIFFERENT tracker 🙄

[xbally]

Yes mine struggles to get easily over 60 as well although it starts easily runs well enough and ticks over regularly but the doubt about its overall performance remains.
I've always changed the oil every 1000 miles with good quality motor bike oil.
I wonder if a compression test would help?
I seem to remember contemporary road tests indicated when these bikes were new the would do 90 mph. Mine's never been able to get anywhere near that speed, even on the clock.

[xbally]

Thinking further about this and with regards to the XBR 500s I've owned, I was always a bit disappointed they weren't as quick as I hoped either.
All the XBRs I've owned were well used relatively high mileage examples .
Most ran ok. I can only recall one which didn't.
So in all probability these probably suffered from similar rates of wear and tear with probably insufficient regular oil changes too.

[Moto63]

I can remember when I had my first RS in 81. As a young lad, I bought it when I was 18. I used to thrash it just about everywhere, as young lads do. It definitely used to get me up to 75/80 mph. I used to have to try and keep up with big bro & his mates who all had 550 fours etc of the day.
So I think it is simply a case of wear in the engine/barrel. Just slightly down on power

[xbally]

I can remember when I had my first RS in 81. As a young lad, I bought it when I was 18. I used to thrash it just about everywhere, as young lads do. It definitely used to get me up to 75/80 mph. I used to have to try and keep up with big bro & his mates who all had 550 fours etc of the day.
So I think it is simply a case of wear in the engine/barrel. Just slightly down on power

Makes sense to me. As I said a compression check might be a good starting point for me possibly followed by a rebore and head check.
I'll canvass my mechanic friend who'll be doing the work. Could be a good winter project if some performance can be restored.

[Moto63]

Sounds like a plan is forming. I like it when a plan forms
Best of luck with it Martin, and as always. Keep us posted 🤞👍

[xbally]

I'm arranging to go over to my friend's in the coming weeks to get the compression test done

[Moto63]

Brilliant, keep me/us posted 🤞👍

[xbally]

Compression test was about 120 psi or 8 bar.

[Moto63]

Is that good?
I’d have to look it up what the compression should be Martin

[Moto63]

Just looked it up. Apparently it should be minimum 150psi maximum 180psi.
So it would appear yours is down slightly
As I mentioned before, now I’ve dine a 1000 miles on the rebuilt engine, I’ve started to rev it higher and I can’t belt he difference between the two engines

[xbally]

Thanks Michael.
I've been advised to check the valve clearances before doing anything further. So that's my next intended move.

[xbally]

I've also been advised to disconnect the de-compressor next time I check the compression, after the valve clearances check.

Have you been able to make any progress on the tracker project Michael?

[Moto63]

Morning Martin (anybody else who’s logging in these days 🙄)
I personally haven’t made much progress with it, However Malcolm and his two sons down at metal malarkey are really cracking on with it.
Due to a few personal & family issues recently, one of them obviously being my prostate cancer op etc. I decided to let Malcolm & his lads carry on with it further once they’d done the rear subframe. I’m probably going to get them to do 90% of it. Plus I’m pretty busy with work commitments at the moment so it kind of made sense. They’re doing a cracking job of things so far.
I’ll ask Bill if he wouldn’t mind posting a few more “progress photos” up for me.
Cheers, Michael