New member looking for advice!

Hey guys! I just picked up a 1977 XS650 for 200.00 and I tried to start it, but nothing. I pulled off the plug boot and got no spark from it. I know how useful the search button is, but it is useless if you have no idea what you are looking for. Are there any stickys or threads on going through bikes that have been sitting for years? I am willing to do the legwork, just need a little nudge in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum, excess_650.

Good price on a mid-70s model, assuming it's not internally destroyed.

Here. Read and memorize these threads.
Download, read and memorize the referenced links contained within.
Drink plenty of liquids (your choice). Call us in the morning.

http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30569
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2736
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390

Great! Im going to be up all night haha. Felt like it has pretty good compression when I tried to kick start it. The odometer reads 16,XXX. Is this considered low or decent mileage for a motorcycle?

Wow, good question. Back in the day, it was rare if a car made in the '40s and '50s would reach 100,000 miles. In the early '70s, most import motorcycles were wore-out before they hit 15,000 miles. Basically considered those things as use-up and toss-out, the throwaway economy. My crystal ball was too clouded-up to see the future value of those period bikes, wouldn't have believed it anyway.

Nowadays, 300,000 mile cars and 100,000 mile bikes exist. Kinda confuses the proper perspective on these older bikes. Age is another factor. Anything rubber or plastic needs attention. Anything electrical (connectors and crimps) need attention. Any raw steel exposed to corrosives (inside of gas tank, for example) needs attention.

Listen carefully to that little voice in your head that says "If I can find/fix that one single, solitary thing that's wrong", and tell him to go stand in a corner.

Now, go get 'em tiger!

Thanks for the kind words. This is going to be a fun and eventful (to say the least) journey. I got spokes on this bike and cafe racer in my mind. First comes the painful rebirth.

you have the order right. Wonder around this guys site for lots of good down home MC info but the link is a good points ignition 101 r&r. http://www.dansmc.com/bat_coil_ign.htm

Hell yea. I needed a good point guide.

I also got a pair of husqvarna itc shocks made by ohlins any idea if they would even be compatible?