79F Standard Rescue in progress

[member28833]

Secondly, was the turn signals. The 79F signals were loose at the pin joints, rattled and weren't quite pretty enough.
Off came all the 79 Special turn signals.
Here is my next cool "mod". See the XS650 rear signals are the same length as the front.
Some Yamaha models had slightly shorter rear signals. This 750 Special did so now The 79F will sport the slightly shorter version too. I've done this mod before too.
Check it out.
BTW at the salvage yard I got a kick starter and a complete nice set of turn signals for a negotiated $47.50
-RT
Gotta run Saturday errands !

 

[member28833]

Ha! I never noticed the difference before. Nice!

New this morning

 

[5twins]

A good time to mention the kick starter rubber. These are still available from Yamaha for a very reasonable cost so it would be foolish to buy aftermarket. But, as you can see in your pic, your 650 and the 750 one differ. There were 2 sizes. 650 kickers up to around '79 had a 15mm diameter shaft where the rubber fit and that makes the rubber larger. The kicker shaft diameter was reduced to 13mm in about 1980, and that takes a smaller rubber. The 13mm shaft and smaller rubber was used on many other models earlier than this, including that 750 kicker you got.

https://www.partzilla.com/product/y...?ref=ab652295a11bfc280b463d32963eabbb208ac643

Now let's go back some and touch on the rear brake again. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to adjust the brake rod without a wrench? Many bikes facilitate this by using a wing nut on the brake rod instead of a hex nut adjuster. And many happen to be other Yamahas, like most of the Viragos. And, it's very reasonably priced, only about $2 .....

https://www.partzilla.com/product/yamaha/90175-06019-00?q_ref=90175-06019-00

I haven't tried one yet but plan to add one to my next parts order.

 

[member28833]

I haven't tried one yet but plan to add one to my next parts order.

Dang ! I forgot to get that. I noted that cool finger wing nut in one of your other threads 5twins. Great idea !

 

[5twins]

Good excuse for another bone yard trip, lol. I'm sure there's some Viragos in there. Then you could verify that it will fit our 650 brake rod, but I'm guessing it will.

 

[member28833]

Moto Cycle Vancouver. They have barely any older stuff. Though I think there is a Maxim, Special, and maybe a 500 Virago ?
But still there are tid bits to be found. And they seem to be okay with my foraging the yard with a wallet in hand .

 

[member28833]

Saturday garage time goes so fast.
Mailman, all this takes lots of time
Just to prevent my two new WA state plates from fatigue failing like so many XS650 shaken liscense plates, I've put in too much time selecting stacks of stainless hardware and the "just right" spacer washers to securely mount these chrome frames too.
Strong secure mounting is necessary !
now on to bigger things again..

 

[5twins]

What you really want and need is a complete backing plate for the license plate. I make mine out of aluminum plate and also use a layer of sheet rubber between the two plates .....

 

[member28833]

79F progress slowed to a frozen snail pace.
Hello out there everybody. Excuses aside, I barely had any cold garage time last weekend.
Other than front turn signals and headlight installed well, Air filters cleaned, Chain lubed and back on. Some minor things.
The wiring on this XS is not too scary "looking" we'll see in time. Unplugged and inspected many connections.This XS actually has the original fuse holder even.. and even that looks fine. Headlight bucket was a cinch for a XS.
High hopes for Sunshine with no wind soon.
I see you all out there dealing with serious cold weather ! (except Bob)
Hang in there . -RT

 

[Mailman]

Looking good Randy! I like your license plate support, I really need to do something like that for both my bikes.

 

[member28833]

Looking good Randy! I like your license plate support, I really need to do something like that for both my bikes.

For Sure ! Your XS is really gonna wag its tail Bob !

 

[member28833]

One informative tip to those who experience fuel leaking past the petcocks and into the engine oil creating an overfill condition. Excess gas/oil vapors have likely contributed slime into the airbox. Air filters are susceptable to damage from the now stronger than oil blow by mix through the breather tubes. My own K&N filters which appear new enough to have never been cleaned had the foam side seal deteriorate.
Repairable, but for now this 79 is going with stock airfilters donated by my 78 . All good

 

[member28833]

TGIF, One thing that has been procratinated on is tightening the front sprocket nut. I gotta get past this and now.
Drum brake, In gear, 1/2 drive 36mm socket on my trusty old beam type torque wrench. Going for a high number like say 75 ft lbs.
So clearly before installing my rear wheel I should have serviced the rear brake lever pivot. But now Im pumping in a little grease and just sliding it in and out and stuffing some grease in behind the action too. All do able. The brake lever itself was set too high. Yet the next notch on the pivot sets it too low for liking so.. jeez that adjustment stop bolt with the 10mm head is really hard to reach and it is Stuck too ! WD time.
See Im a one man show here and need to have a strong brake working right now for that sprocket nut !
So thats whats going on now. I am very anxious to put that left side engine cover back on. Clutch action components seem just fine lightly greased.
I need to get the carbs on, the airbox on, the battery etc and make a temporary gas tank just to fire this thing up in time for spring test running ?
Here goes efforts - RT

 

[Mailman]

Nice work you’re doing there Randy! I’m following along with interest!

 

[member28833]

Did my pics get blurry ? I've broke my phone camera glass on the floor and plucked it all out Lol!
Biggest expense yet ..

 

[member28833]

Front Sprocket nut is easily tightened to 80 ft lbs. once the rear brake is adjusted and the tranny is in 1st gear, pistons against compression.
Brake is now easily held on with an 1&1/2" wood dowel stuffed under the foot pedal as shown.
A long beam type torque wrench just cinches it up very easy like this

 

[5twins]

I think your brake pedal is bent, which doesn't surprise me with all the "road rash" I'm seeing on the bottom of it. That's probably why you're having issues with the height setting. The long section from the pedal back to the 1st bend should be pretty much straight. Yours has a big curve or bend in it .....

 

[member28833]

I think your brake pedal is bent, which doesn't surprise me with all the "road rash" I'm seeing on the bottom of it.

Good eye ! and remember the kick starter lever wasn't the original one but a mystery piece ? The rt. head pipe has a matching rash scuff but yet the very used muffler seems original and not much dented. There is some history here but Im leaving it as is unless I stumble on a better brake lever.

 

[5twins]

They're easily straightened, I've "fixed" a few in the past. The one on a local guy's bike looked like a banana for crying out loud, and he just rode it like that, lol. The pedal sat several inches above the peg and couldn't be adjusted anywhere near where it should have been because it was bent so bad.

 

[member28833]

I may need to bend it one of these days. It feels about right and the last pic did look pretty banana like lol.. but it is better than that.
We'll see how these old original shoes work.
Never did hear of those Vesrahs I had yet..
Im expecting plenty of tinkering after test rides
Stopped for the day to clean up and drip lube clutch & tach cables like seen on other posts.. 5twins