My $Free.99 Project

Well, the VIN checked out and I've a bond ready for the title office! A small step in the right direction. I figure since I'm going for a budget build, I should keep track of the budget so I can see how much money I might be wasting. Remember, the goals are to eventually have a nice running bike with the proper (if appropriate) upgrades. As in, I'm not doing the elephant feet if the valve covers don't need to come off. I'm also excluding the fuel used to get around for whatever the bike needs.

Next up is diagnosis and planning. I'll need to get the EX carb parts based on that thread. Figure I'll run as close to the general average (138 mains, 38 pilots and JJJ or GJH needles i. Needle clips at mid (JJJ) or 4th (GJH) position, inline 'zuk fuel filter and idle turned out 2 turns) as I can and call that a day for now.

Title application fee: $15
Title bond: $95
EX500 carbs: $131.25
Fork tubes: $30 + s/h

Grand total so far: $271.25
 
Last edited:
Well, the VIN checked out and I've a bond ready for the title office! A small step in the right direction. I figure since I'm going for a budget build, I should keep track of the budget so I can see how much money I might be wasting. Remember, the goals are to eventually have a nice running bike with the proper (if appropriate) upgrades. As in, I'm not doing the elephant feet if the valve covers don't need to come off. I'm also excluding the fuel used to get around for whatever the bike needs.

Next up is diagnosis and planning. I'll need to get the EX carb parts based on that thread. Figure I'll run as close to the general average (138 mains, 38 pilots and JJJ or GJH needles i. Needle clips at mid (JJJ) or 4th (GJH) position, inline 'zuk fuel filter and idle turned out 2 turns) as I can and call that a day for now.

Title application fee: $15
Title bond: $95
EX500 carbs: $131.25
Fork tubes: $30 + s/h

Grand total so far: $271.25
remember I have the xs carbs if you are interested.complete with filters and throttle cable.they could get to fort worth or you come get them quickly.I paid $230 with shipping.$150 to you.easy peasy to get them on and get going.
 
Ron i suggest you go through this thread........ http://www.xs650.com/threads/keihin-flatslide-pwk-carburetor-oppinions-issues.6592/ .....took Mrriggs a year and a half to get those mikes PWK carbs to work successfully and the things he had to do to them.........like take out the slides and use valve grinding past on ares of the slide to make them slide sliderly..............then they craped on him again so tossed them for ex500 carbs.................
 
remember I have the xs carbs if you are interested.complete with filters and throttle cable.they could get to fort worth or you come get them quickly.I paid $230 with shipping.$150 to you.easy peasy to get them on and get going.

Ron, I appreciate the offer, but I fought with some of those carbs a few years back with another XS I was working on. I too found the EX carbs to be the best bet for the price, even comparable or better than the VM's.
 
Ron i suggest you go through this thread........ http://www.xs650.com/threads/keihin-flatslide-pwk-carburetor-oppinions-issues.6592/ .....took Mrriggs a year and a half to get those mikes PWK carbs to work successfully and the things he had to do to them.........like take out the slides and use valve grinding past on ares of the slide to make them slide sliderly..............then they craped on him again so tossed them for ex500 carbs.................
good lord.Thats ridiculous.for $359 from him they should perform perfectly.I wish a weber could be put on these bikes.
 
The bike hasn't come off the trailer since I picked it up, sorry. I've had less time that I thought, what with the bathroom remodel, '68 Mustang rebuild and A/C going out. Dang life gets in the way!

I told my wife that I really need a solid day to just play the tiniest bit of catch up, but I don't see this happening. Maybe I'll take a vacation day...
 
So you're the guy who bought that swingarm. I was watching that one, lol. Now you'll need to watch for a cheap 750 chain guard, the 650 one doesn't match the mounts. But maybe it could be adapted .....
 
:-D I looked up historical prices on here and decided the ebay price was about as good as it gets, so I snagged it up. Should help with the improved handling theme I like doing on my bikes.

And if for some reason I want to use it on my bobber, I can easily swap its stock braced arm on the budget bike! :-D
 
It's a very nice, drop-in upgrade. Out of all the handling mods I've done to mine, it was one that really made a noticeable difference. The bike feels more solid and "planted" at all speeds, not just going fast. The prices have gone kinda nuts on them since it's become somewhat common knowledge that they swap right into a 650. I should have kept my mouth shut until I grabbed up a few cheap, lol.
 
The bike hasn't come off the trailer since I picked it up, sorry. I've had less time that I thought, what with the bathroom remodel, '68 Mustang rebuild and A/C going out. Dang life gets in the way!

I told my wife that I really need a solid day to just play the tiniest bit of catch up, but I don't see this happening. Maybe I'll take a vacation day...
sounds like you are busy.You have the title thing sorted out it sounds like.
 
650Skull, The oil cooler thermostat works a lot like a car water thermostat. As the oil temp goes up the thermostat starts to open. This allows some of the oil to flow through the cooler. Good ones are set up to run up to 80% of the oil through the cooler, keeping 20% flowing in the engine. This keeps oil flowing in the engine at all times. Some cheapies don't do this. They can shut of the oil through the engine till hot enough to flow oil through the cooler.
Oil coolers work well. On cool days, just cover the cooler with a leather cover. If cover is set up right you can leave it partly open to adjust air flow and control oil temp.
Leo
 
SSSSLLLLOOOOWWWWLLLLLYYYYYY!!! I certainly need to focus on the potential for the build and simply make sure the motor fires before I go off and get myself down a hole and find out the motor needs a rebuild :-\

I'm planning on taking a day off work soon to get the garage re-organized and bring this bike inside. Fingers crossed it happens soon!!
 
SSSSLLLLOOOOWWWWLLLLLYYYYYY!!! I certainly need to focus on the potential for the build and simply make sure the motor fires before I go off and get myself down a hole and find out the motor needs a rebuild :-\

I'm planning on taking a day off work soon to get the garage re-organized and bring this bike inside. Fingers crossed it happens soon!!

what about the wiring?
 
650Skull, The oil cooler thermostat works a lot like a car water thermostat. As the oil temp goes up the thermostat starts to open. This allows some of the oil to flow through the cooler. Good ones are set up to run up to 80% of the oil through the cooler, keeping 20% flowing in the engine. This keeps oil flowing in the engine at all times. Some cheapies don't do this. They can shut of the oil through the engine till hot enough to flow oil through the cooler.
Oil coolers work well. On cool days, just cover the cooler with a leather cover. If cover is set up right you can leave it partly open to adjust air flow and control oil temp.
Leo


Thanks for the explanation XSLeo. I still have my original concern regarding that particular oil cooler.................. More so now..........my concern is how it affects the oil level and the amount of oil getting to the head..............If there is no thermostat regulated temperature then the cooler is going to drain out and need to fill, this will affect the amount of oil getting to the head for a long period on start up............. If there is a thermostat, and it doesn't open, till a certain temperature is reached, the cooler has drained, from the last ride, so will need to be filled again, again i think it will reduce the oil to the head while filling the cooler...........
 
Back
Top