Was this worth $75?

JP50515

XS650 Junkie
Messages
957
Reaction score
1
Points
16
Location
Minnesota
Hey guys....so this one popped up on CL for $75 and after some research I discovered that (from my understanding) it has the same engine as the cb/cl 175 with the exception of the cases. Internally they are "quote" "identical."

Got it from an old lady who had like 3 little Trail 50's and 90's sitting in her garage/shop.
She had an awesome little setup and I could tell the trails were probably the one thing keeping her sane lol. Very nice person though.

She gave me a box of parts, helped me load it into the trailer and sent me on my way.

After tinkering with it a bit I discovered that when I kick it over there does appear to be some compression, seeing as how air pumps out of the crankcase breather or decompression valve, whatever it is. Same thing as on the XS engine right above and between the intake ports

However... when I watch the vavles I see no movement....

I hear the engines on these little guys are bulletproof and extremely reliable so my plan is to do a little cafe racer build with a hot cam, performance valves and springs and new carbs...assuming I can find the parts.


Anyway, you think it was worth the $75? ha
 

Attachments

  • 644266_10152727576475113_1353842259_n.jpg
    644266_10152727576475113_1353842259_n.jpg
    133.4 KB · Views: 107
An SL175 if I'm not mistaken? My 1st "big" bike was an SL350 back when I was in high school and at the ripe old age of 16, lol.
 
Correct SL175 ha. No title, but its not too hard to get them here in MN. If they've been untitled long enough they basically hand a new one to you....and that came from the lady at the DMV lol.

I don't have any carbs or coils....but I have my old XS coils....hmmmmm

Where would you all start with this process? I'm thinking i'll pull the engine out today, start cleaning up the frame and wait to rebuild the engine until I get the clymer or haynes for it.

I got a feeling they're pretty easy to work on ha.
 
One step ahead of ya lol. Just thought i'd share my new toy with my original crew.....their forum kinda sucks compared to this one ha
 
That Honda twins forum isn't bad if you didn't know how good a forum can be, we are so spoiled. But those guys have helped me a few times already.
I'd start with finding out why the valves don't go up and down yank it out and tear it down. (says the guy with 12 bike projects)

One guess; broken cam chain, see if the valves are bent.
 
Yeah its gettin a tear down for sure. I'm excited :) its funny how silly things like a $75 bike can do that.
 
At that price just having it for a learning project is well worth the $75.
Leo
 
Alright so I tore the whole engine down today......the reason the valves weren't movin was due to a cam chain who's master link rivet came out. I have found some very disheartening things in the cases.....such as holes..... one looks like a drainage hole for the oil.....but the other looks like something punctured through the case. So i found a new set of cases online for $12 on ebay :) Somebody did a serious number on this engine... pistons are toast....slapped to all hell....but the cylinders look like they would only need a hone if I didn't need new pistons.
 
Here's the holes I found. let me know what you think.

First ones hard to see, but its at the bottom of the cam chain passage....looks like a drainage to me, oil was pooled there when I popped it open.

The second one does not look like drainage to me. Heads straight to the crank from under the clutch basket and is quite jagged.
 

Attachments

  • 555991_10152730156010113_1070072300_n.jpg
    555991_10152730156010113_1070072300_n.jpg
    10.7 KB · Views: 38
  • 59779_10152730155900113_858559178_n.jpg
    59779_10152730155900113_858559178_n.jpg
    10.6 KB · Views: 29
Last edited:
One time I bought a bolt on hardtailed cb750 rolling chassis for $125..

I then proceded to put it in a truck, get drunk, light it on fire and throw it off a cliff.

And it was totally worth it

So yes, you did alright!
 
Back
Top