79F Standard Rescue in progress

You have worked at this with a laser like focus and done a really terrific job of rescuing this nice old bike. Well done! :thumbsup:
:laughing: the "Mailman" Bob is complimenting my mere backwoods style mechanics ?
I admit, it works fine but not so pretty like you would have done it ! :bow2:
Thank you -Randy
 
Hello everybody. Sunny Saturday and what a day to end this "rescue" 79F.
Finally I shook the rust in the tank to a "better" or "acceptable" condition. I used about a 1/2 gallon of polishing stones mixed with solvent. Twice filled and emptied. When my arms were tired enough, well that was that. :thumbsup:
The 78E petcocks were a proven pair from the past so to reduce possibilities of failure I bolted em on. 40 year old gaskets and O-rings included. And they work !
Tested the function with my aluminum taco tray and monitored a slight leak at the tank for awhile... Put in the rest of my Supreme and kicked this XS back up .
Now the left carb decided to overflow so just like the right, I did the road side style bowl removal and found the crud in the seat. OK thats both sides now.
Now lets ride ! First small loops for proving. Hey, my speedo lives ! It is slow to respond so far but does catch up to speed and I bet it will even improve.
Whats next ? Call my girl out and put a helmet on her .
We had a very nice time cruising in the sunshine on the water front. All checked out so off to a local country road.
I'll just finish off with a few pics and will post in other places & times.
Mission Accomplished ! :bike:
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Looks great Randy!
It looks Fine , no real credit expected for the looks here.
It rides even better ! Just easy cruising anyway. You all know the original front brake is WEAK, but improving already as I used my best rotor and slightly used EBC pads.. Yuck.
Realize this servicing of this 79F was just that. Routine servicing.
No bling. No modifications. And Very Inexpensive !!
It is true that if a guy recognizes and buys a good low mileage XS650 it "can" be a rider easily and cheaply.
This bike is absolutely authentic 1979 !
Not one MikesXS , Partzilla, or Amazon part on it.
Every wire & screw and gasket even is original stuff. (New fuel lines only) Not all shiny & pretty but actual Yamaha original. And it all works.
I Do know the benefits of all the servicing upgrades such as NGK caps & wires, Braided steel brake line, and so many more simple upgrades which I will Soon implement onto my 78E Standard which is still patiently waiting. The 79F was a proving tool to me as I have gained in knowledge of the electrical system much more now.
This 79F Standard is most likely the last perfectly stock bike that I will own and ride.
It feels much like rescueing a lost dog and gettin him back home a few days later !
That Good :D
-Randy
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Just to close out the rear brake shoes issue,
Started at post #110, dangling out to post #203.

http://www.xs650.com/threads/79f-standard-rescue-in-progress.53829/page-6#post-578898

Did a re-arc job on Randy's shoes, and discovered that their original arc job was done on an offset arc center, possibly as much as 1mm shifted toward the cam ends, making the brake shoes too big at the cam end to fit into the hub.

Posts #90 to ##92

http://www.xs650.com/threads/650-rear-drum-brake-plates.51046/page-5#post-587088
 
Update Jan 24, 2020
The 79 XS650F is again for sale in the Portland Oregon area. Approx $2600. The gal who bought it last year rode it very little before being ran into while riding her TW200. She has inquired with me as to a possible sale.
If interested, PM me -RT
 

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