It's past time to start XS2 Resurrection

Got a few things done. Engine back in frame. Buddy stopped by and we horsed it in. Before I do another one of these I'm going to build something similar to the hydraulic engine lifter posted here this week. Damn things ain't all that heavy, just hard to find lift points. At the least I'll make 2 lift bars like 5twins posted.
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On Monday I ordered carb parts. They got here late in week and then I went through the carbs. After reading Mailman's problems I also ordered fittings to check float settings and possible seat leaking. Carbs ready to go on should have new fuel lines here tomorrow so I can install them and check float height. Carbs aren't real shiny but I think they are clean.
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Andrews coil showed up so I made a bracket to mount it. ( Thanks for the pics 5twins) It's a tight fit. The tank will go on. Bracket in paint both now. Looks like there should be enough clearance on each side of coil.
Also have a Pamco ignition coming, plus a bunch of other stuff. Might hear this damn thing make noise in a week or two.
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Alright GLJ! You’ve made some great progress there! I like your coil mount, I know the fit is tight, I used a mirror and flashlight to check afterward and it’s a squeeker! As for your carbs not being shiny.....meh, I shined mine up but they oxidize quickly and go right back to looking like yours. Clean is good.
You’re on pace to have a rider before me. But watch your six buddy.......I’m right behind you! :cool:
 
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Nothing against Mailman and others with all that polishing ambition, but when riding the bike down a twisty back road does the shine on the fuel bowls really matter?

Having said that back when I did lots of engine work at the quarry I would at times buff off the raised letter on a cast aluminum valve cover on a 12V-71 engine that was going in a quarry truck! And there were a few times I would buff off all the brass fittings with a wire wheel while assembling an engine.

I probably got that idea from a guy who worked for us for a short time. Seems he was a mechanic while serving on some ship in the Navy. He had a captain who had a habit of while doing an inspection of the ship taking out a pen knife and scrapping paint off a fitting and if he found it to be brass told them to clean and polish it!
 
Made some progress. Installed carbs. I had ordered 2 clear tube fittings so I checked float level. Both carbs look OK to me. Also left it sit for an hour and the level did not rise. So far so good.
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Pamco ignition showed up this morning so that had to get put on. All the cables are installed, new battery cables made and installed plus a lot of other little stuff. Only thing keeping me from start it up is plug wires. Should have them and a connector for regulator here tomorrow.
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The exhaust is of off the parts bike. I was thinking of sandblasting it and painting it but it runs pretty close to my tire.
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Speaking of exhaust does anybody have any experience with Delkevic exhaust? I happen to like 2 into 1 exhaust. This looks like it would solve any tire clearance problem plus I would be able to change oil without removing the exhaust system. Hopefully tomorrow I'll hear it run.
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:woowoo:It lives!!!:woowoo::smoke:
Put temp coil wires on it. They are copper core wires just wrong color (blue). Set choke, pulled on starter lever she fired right up. I don't think it turned over 1 full revolution before it started. OK not as impressive as one kick but it was on the lift up in the air. Needless to say it ran rougher than a cob to start with. Got the timing set, fiddled with the carbs and throttle cables a bit now it has a decent idle and seems very responsive when I crack the throttle. I don't have the air boxes on it yet, I am seeing a little bit of slide flutter in each carb. Charging system working (14.5 VDC). I've probably had it running for 45 minuets on and off. So far no oil or gas leaks.
I do have one concern. I think I made a bad decision when I went through the top end. I did not replace the cam chain. I have the timing set where it should be but I am almost out of adjustment on the PAMCO. No real excuse for not replacing it, Mike's was out of them, I could have got one from EBAY. Oh well if it becomes a problem a day or so of time and it can be replaced.
I need to find my title that I have not seen in 20 plus years, I haven't looked yet but I think I know where it is. Then Tuesday off to the DMV. Also Tuesday another gas tank should be here, hopefully it will be usable without a lot of trouble.
All in all a good day.
 
Few more things off the check list. Tank showed up yesterday that I had bought. The inside of is in much better shape than my original. Mounted new petcocks and gas cap. I had failed to order Yamaha washers for the petcock screws. Hmmm. Did a little searching here and found that people have had success with copper washers. I had some so I figured I would give that a shot. Copper washers seem to work fine. No drips at all. As far as the petcock o-ring sealing no problems there either. I had already mounted the air boxes, side covers, new plug wires and head steady. Went ahead and put the tank and seat on it.
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If you look close it now has a license plate. Found the titles for it and the BMW this morning. Went to DMV got new sticker for the Enfield and plates/stickers and for the Yamaha and BMW. Interesting thing I found on the title, the date that I bought it. May 29 of 1976. Long time ago.
3 things left before test ride. Need a mirror, should have one Thursday. Insurance, I'll go see agent tomorrow. Front brakes, Still waiting on brake line. Called the company I ordered it from and they said it should be shipped today. They sent me a email with the tracking number. I'll see tomorrow if Post Office has received package.
Since I had a plate and have never dropped the insurance on the BMW I took it for a ride. It still runs as well as it ever did. Last time I rode it was 2007. Going to check it over in the morning and go for a longer ride tomorrow if the weather holds.
All in all not a bad day!
 
All in all not a bad day!

No sir! I’d call that a great day! Your bike looks super! Let’s hear it, time for a video. :geek:
You didn’t buy that gas tank I posted from Craigslist a while back did you?
Man, I so want to get my bike finished, I’ve had new license plates and insurance on it for over a year now, guess I was being a little optimistic! :laugh2:
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Checked on brake line yesterday, showed it would be here today. First thing this morning I decided to be ready for it. I had bought a straight piece of steel brake line from Mike's awhile back. When I went to bend it into shape it was apparent it was not going to work. About 3 inches too short. On to plan B. Took the one off of my parts bike. Little heat it came off fine. Cleaned it up, looks good. About then mail-lady showed up. Brake line and mirror right on time. Mail-lady far cuter than Mailman.
Then came the unexpected. The new brake line has banjo fittings on each end. Hmmm Was going to call their tech line but I thought it best to look things over. Guess what it also replaces the brake line pipe. I wasn't expecting that. It has the correct bends at each end and they sent 2 different sets banjo bolt. Two with the correct threads for the master cylinder and 2 with the correct threads for the caliper. Got spare bolts and washers left over. The line also had 2 rubber sleeves on it to go inside the factory rubbers. Looks good. I fully realize the importance of front brakes. I was leery of replacing the pipe with a banjo. Figured the worst it could do is leak. If it was going to leak it should show up during the bleeding process. The pic below of it is after bleeding. I have squeezed and held the lever harder and longer than a guy ever would in a panic stop. Lever feels very good. No sign of leaking. We'll see how it does after riding it and getting the caliper hot.
http://www.helperformance.us/hel-brake-lines-for-yamaha-xs650-ii-1972.html
Above link is where I got the line. They have different colors of sheath and fittings.
Now I just need the weather to cooperate. Rained this morning. Roads are almost dry. If no more rain in another hour or so.:rock:

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Side note awhile back I did some research in case I had to buy a brake pipe. There is a place that has them pre-bent.
https://www.economycycle.com/shop/y...yamaha-rd350-rd250-usa-front-brake-hard-line/
Yamaha part number same as for the 650.
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Mail-lady far cuter than Mailman.

Hey! Wait a minute.......:boxing:

Damn! I really like that new brake line. I like the way it’s one continuous piece from M/C to caliper. That’s like the SS line I have on my 77D, and it works perfect! That HEL brake line is a nice quality looking piece and I think the cost is very fair. When I think about all the struggling I did with my front brake line, I would’ve been so much better off with what you did. I bought upper and lower brake line, new rubber bushings, steel lines in different sizes that I was going to try and bend. I struggled with leaks. Your set up is perfect!
That’s also good info on those pre made steel lines.
You couldn’t have done all this before me and saved me some grief? :eek: Haha!

Your bike is really shaping up nice, I’m dying to get back to mine.:thumbsup:
 
You couldn’t have done all this before me and saved me some grief?
I remember you saying you wanted to keep the OEM look of the rubber lines (originality). I'm doing a resurrection with mods not a restore. So in your case I think you made the right decision. Stainless line are better than rubber lines but I know your front brake will stop you just fine.
I’m dying to get back to mine.:thumbsup:
You should be careful how you phrase things. :wink2:
 
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