Now I know what an epiphany is.

About an hour ago I got back from running an errand/paying my bills/keeping my ex-wife happy(re, bills) and/ a quick test ride of my XJ700.
I've had some ups and downs with 'The Beast that Escaped from the Darkside' but I'm hoping that if I treat her with a little more respect she won't throw me to the curb again.
Next job is valve adjustment. Thanks to the forum and Chacal I've been able to do the forks, tree bearings, rebuilt calipers, master cylinder, petcock, cleaned out tank, replaced shoes, carbs including throttle arm seals, wintergreened the carb boots, wheel bearings... AND I replaced the original back tire...BUT I still have the original Spitfire on the front.
Obviously I'm still short of the finish line as far as tune up goes and it's stupid to be riding around with an old, cracked front tire but I dressed for the slide and promised I would stay under 50.
Reading the forum posts I came across some great info about the power band, that 7 to 8k no-mans land where the beast likes to dwell. I'd hit it, gently, a couple of times on the way out and it truly is a sublime feeling.
About a mile from home my head was reading me every page from the "Oh my God you're going to look like a real a$$hole" book of motorcycle riding. Caution; most accidents occur within a 3 mile radius of the home, tires and tire pressures are critical to safe riding, hmmmm that light feeling when the front begins to lift?? could that waken the tank slapper?
Fork oil should be filled to no less than 51/2 ...no wait, was it more than five??? What if one is more and two is less...I mean left and right...
Then I entered the tunnel under the 5 freeway and I hit the throttle wide open...
Inside the tunnel it doesn't sound as if your giving the bike too much, it doesn't sound like the motor is being pushed into a place it doesn't want to go, inside the tunnel it sounds like you've just entered the place where the bike wants to be, it's like a singer hitting their highest note and if you hold it open a second longer there won't be anything left except bits of broken glass.
And that's when I had my epiphany, as I came out of the other side of the tunnel I thought, "They didn't make these XJ's for pu$$ies"

 

A tank slapper is the least of your worries. There is 3 inches of worn smooth hard rubber between you and a wheelchair. A bit dramatic i know but is your life worth a $150 dollars?

 

I was in second or third, only doing about 50 tops but the difference in sound when you enter the tunnel right when that 7k power band kicks in is incredible.
And of course your right, there will be a Full Bore USA tire on the front to match the rear before I ride again.
I'm just stoked because she fires up second or third turn with choke off after about 20 seconds and she idles sweet. That's mainly thanks to the guys on the forum and Chacal pushing the fact that you have to change the throttle rod seals. I'm totally in awe of the engineering side of the bike and often scared of the mad mad power it can release.
You know the gist of it is I really wanted to get a bike to potter around in and I ended up with this screaming banshee....hahahaha I guess I just got lucky...

 

Have you seen ads on Ebay that say "XJ - Good beginner bike".
I tend to disagree. If they're tuned up and adjusted right, "Katie, bar the doors!!!"

 

I see that quote everywhere regarding XJ's.

It's dangerous.

 

I see that quote regarding almost any motorcycle that someone wants to sell.

CBVR 10,000 RR SS for sale. Great beginner bike. You'll never outgrow it.