5twins

I think the off-the-shelf generic VM34s are set up for two stroke use, usually a dirt bike. The only difference is the jetting compared...

My Athena base gasket pushed out like that as well ..... ..... but luckily, it never leaked, so I just trimmed it off and carried on...

Yes, there's nothing wrong with the ball bearings if they're good. The problem is, I've never found any good ones on these old bikes...

Yes, after a rebuild, you need to check the head torque several times in the first 1000 miles or so. By then, after numerous heat...

Tuning and then fine tuning carbs is all about experimenting. Every one of these motors responds a little differently depending on it's...

Yes, the starter sounds pretty normal to me too. Hey, at least it's not popping out of engagement or grinding like many of them do, lol...

Yes, I'd start it manually and once it's part way in, and square, then tap it in with a suitably sized socket or length of pipe.

The seal holes in the cases are line bored and that gives then very sharp edges. You'll want to "break" that sharp edge with a small...

That's just the way they install and end up, but that top tin dust cover hides all that. I have them in both my 650s and they fit and...

You really want to put those loose ball bearings back in there???? Most of us upgrade to tapered roller bearings.

That's why I like to use old, used MC's from other Yamahas. Most are the Nissin brand and the quality is good. And all they needed was a...

If you mean the copper coloring in my 1st pic, no, that's just C5-A copper anti-seize applied to the threads of the adjuster.

For the clutch, I use a Kawasaki lever and perch. I use it because the lever pivot is 3 or 4 times wider than the original Yamaha one...

I think I got it from Mailman's XS2 thread.

For the past few years, I've been using Chrome batteries. They've worked well so far. They are reasonably priced and shipping is free...

It does sound like a lean condition, but it may not be the idle circuit. Are your floats set correctly? If they're off (set too low)...

I think it indicates the production run or lot. It doesn't have anything to do with the sizing.

When you say you adjusted the pilots, do you mean the mixture screws? One turn out is quite lean for your carb set. Normally, it likes...

When I add a jumper wire to a plug, like for the RLU removal, I make the wire just long enough to run around the back of the plug. I run...

Are your carbs synced, or at least close to being synced? If not, that can cause a temp difference in the cylinders because one is...

The lower set of points is mounted on a separate half plate and can be adjusted on it's own without disturbing the upper set's position...

With the dual points, you have to check the timing on each cylinder. It's like having two separate ignition systems, and it's possible...

If it doesn't work out, it's no great loss in my mind anyway because many of us change the original out for one with a slightly smaller...

That Y-22 needle @ 40mm long is way too short and probably the root of your problems. Just swapping in the 4N8 needles when you get them...

Maybe the type of ATF matters? I know there are two basic types, Ford and Dextron (GM). Maybe one works better than the other?

Not sure where you got Z-4 needle jets? The only bike I know of that had them was the Kawasaki KZ750 twin. You should have slightly...

It's possible someone clamped that lower fork leg in a vice and deformed it (made it oval). It's pretty easy to ruin a fork leg like that.

I think most of us here are very interested in this bike. What's not to like about a brand new 650 vertical twin? I know I'm considering...

Most of us use the Tsubaki chain, it's supposed to be a little better than the D.I.D. one. About the best price at the moment is from...

If you loosen screw #14, that whole bracket with the points on it should slide up and down, and that will adjust the core gap.

By 20K miles, many times the chain is stretched out. It's not because it's a bad part but simply because it wasn't maintained well...

Use any lube very sparingly. Any excess will squeeze out and mess up the inside of the glass. I think I might just clean all the rings...

Here's a write-up on drum brake servicing. See post #3 ...

Just one small thing I'll mention - your lever adjuster screw is in backwards, lol. The head should be on the outside so you can adjust it.

I was a bit leery at first too because I had never torn apart a motor with an overhead cam and that required it to be "timed" upon...

Yes, it is a bit harder to find parts for the early models, and they usually cost more too. For a first 650, I would stick with a '74 or...

Unfortunately, the only large enough hose clamp I have has the "bump" under the screw. Gary's suggestion to wrap electrical tape around...

If he also removed the starter safety relay, I'd put that back on too. It cuts power to the starter once the motor is running.

Here's the regulator setting instructions ..... Way back, before I changed to the VR115 (great mod), my original regulator was only...

When you set your floats, did you set them at 25mm? That's the spec for the '76-'77 carb set, not 24mm like some of the other BS38 carbs...

Yes, that's good stuff, but I'm not sure he can get it in the UK? It's also not cheap.

OK, well my "routine" is a couple of kicks with the choke on, no throttle, then I flip the choke off and give it a couple kicks with the...

The ones I use can vary a little in thickness. I mike them out and if need be, sand the "fat" one down a little. It only takes a few...

I find it easier to kick if I'm on the bike rather than standing next to it. That being said, these are rather cold blooded so need the...

You might try plain old vinegar. The parts will flash rust rather quickly after that so get right on the painting.

Yes, what you need to understand is that the three circuits in your carb overlap the ones next to them slightly. This means that...

Yes, I re-use original float bowl gaskets most of the time, but if you need some new ones, shop for the K&L brand. They make a quality...

Since you've increased the main and pilot jet sizes, you may not need to do this needle shimming at all. Your new larger jets will bleed...

It's best to use original Yamaha float needle and seat assemblies. They are a bit expensive but you're assured of quality and a perfect...

The UNI filter you want is the UP4200 or UP4200ST (dual layer). The 2" I.D. mounting flange is a perfect slip fit on the BS38 intake...