5twins

Just fill those welds in and take a flap wheel to them, they'll be fine. That's not a high stress area. And while you've got the welder...

Well, you could go through all that if you like I guess, but I think it's just much easier to look at the locating pin hole in the...

If you're looking at the keyway in the points cam, that's not the one you check. You need to look at the pin hole in the cam on the...

Yes, with the engine at TDC, the locating pin hole in the cam for the advance unit should face straight up or straight down (depending...

Years ago, we used to clean our gas fouled (wet) two stroke plugs and re-use them all the time. At first we would just scrub them with...

For the charging system, the first thing you'll want to do is perform the simple charging output test. Start the bike and attach a...

Yes, I use them as well. On some bikes, they don't do much but I think they help on the 650. The first one I installed came off my...

Yes, try the 135 air jets. If it's still too rich, go back to the stock pilots and 130 air jets. The 130 air jets will make it richer...

Well yes, rubber grommets will isolate the box from ground, but how good do you think the grounding was anyway with the box loosely...

What you have there is a combination regulator and rectifier, two units built into one housing. Notice the cooling fins on it. I would...

I'm afraid I don't recognize those carbs, at least as a 650 set anyway. They may be from some other Yamaha model like the 400. 27mm may...

Yes, there are many little improvements you can make to these bikes and most don't cost much. Just adding another ounce of fork oil...

Rasputin, no, I can't say I notice much, if any, difference in the drive, but I know it's got to be easier on those damper springs on...

The end of the stock headpipe is a machined metal part. It extents into the headpipe from the sealing flange about the same distance as...

I don't find the lock tabs that ugly, and besides, they blend in so you hardly see them. The TX500 rear wheel I adapted for my 650, been...

If you have leaks, the new chrome on those pipes will blue up badly and almost immediately. Even with no leaks, it's probably going to...

I wouldn't do it. I've personally encountered very stuck sprocket bolts, even had a few break off trying to remove them. They are a fine...

If the clutch pull is really hard after that shop installs your new cable, it's most likely because they didn't oil it. New cables come...

I'll bet those are going to be pretty loud, lol.

Got mine and they look good. All "Made in Japan" BP7ES plugs, no BPR resistor plugs in the lot. I checked the ones I ordered from...

The best and easiest way to check and/or adjust the cam chain tension is to do so while the bike sits there idling. You want to see the...

No, it's not that complicated, but it is quite a lot of work because the motor needs to be removed to get at it. You should be OK riding...

Yes, you need something on that fork, either a fender or a brace (both is best). When you grab that single front disc brake, it puts...

Well, maybe, lol. Mine started doing that many years ago and it was one of the things that pushed me into going into the topend. What I...

That's very possible. BS34 carbs with UNI filters and different, more open mufflers should need bigger jets.

At the moment, best price on a new chain is from YamahaXS650.com. Buying it directly from Yamaha used to be the best deal, but they...

I change my own, always have and always will. And nowadays, I'm glad I do, it's gotten so expensive, lol. We took the rear wheel from my...

That's pretty much normal wear on that rear tensioner blade. I never replace them. They don't fall apart like the front one does. I...

Checked tracking again and mine are "out for delivery" so I should have them sometime today. I'll report back when I get them.

The factory suggested setting for the mix screws on your '78-'79 carb set is 2.25 turns out, but they often need a bit more, like 2.5 to...

Yes, you can grease the whole rod. It's just plain steel so any moisture that got in there could cause it to rust. So, just smear it...

Yes, the added holes in my baffle plates made it louder, but also very raspy. I didn't like it. I'd look into some real Commandos from...

Well, if you're already up on the jets, you should be good. I thought you might still have the stock jetting. I didn't find the need for...

Those dilled mufflers will probably affect the carbs and jetting. I know they did on my '83. I thought it was all stock but upon closer...

The dwell angle on these bikes is about 90° (93°± 5°). That's how long the points "dwell" in the closed position, allowing the coil to...

Yes, it has to do with how air is delivered to the pilot jet and what it flows. The BS30/96 type pilots (like yours), sized in the 40s...

No, I've never tried it, but I don't really feel the need. Once properly jetted and set up, these CV carbs respond quite well in my...

Yes, your pilots are a size larger than stock ......

You don't want the idle speed much above 1200 because the ignition can start advancing. When that happens, the engine speed increases...

For a front, I always run a 100. A 110 may be too wide.

On the later models, normally the tail light is wired right into the ignition switch and comes on with the key. The engine doesn't need...

Mine shipped from Sugar Land (via FedEx) and are now in Kentucky. Supposed to be here Thursday.

Tony, did you get the plugs you ordered yet and if so, are they indeed the BP7ES plugs, not the BPR7ES (resistor version)?

According to the parts diagram, it's an M6 x 35mm long. You can often find a screw or bolt's size and length by looking at the middle...

I think I found them, or at least something very similar ...

Where are those gaiters from? They look pretty nice.

You can repair that one. Most of us just "patch" them up with JBWeld. The screen makes a good backing for it and the repair is very...

You can use a Honda MP08 coil. They're a dime a dozen on eBay. I got a 3-pack from a Gold Wing 6 for about $24. Here's a thread on them...

Yes, it's my understanding that Mike started this place after selling MikesXS. I'm thinking maybe he had a lot of stuff left and wanted...