Make sure both switch housings are grounded to the handlebars....
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What have you done to your XS today?
- Thread starter I am Carbon
- Start date
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- Tags
- maintenance
wrenchjohns
XS650 Addict
Looked at her when I grabbed the 'King and rode to work (not hard work). Then I looked at the carb guide for a while. Rode home and now I'll wash the 'King and put him to bed, grab a Becks and call it a good day.
john
john
So my battery was fully charged by Sunday morning, so I put it back in the bike and installed my original speedo. I took the bike down to the local pub where I play open mics, and the speedo still doesn't work. And now my tach doesn't work either. The bikes been piddling as you can see in one of my recent photos about the shocks, but the level is still fine. I think it’s coming from the tach cable fitting. How the heck did these bikes work when new? I’ve gone through a new speedo and tach cable, and blown up two speedometers in a year. How did they last this long? I’m about to just give up on the original setup and buy a newfangled digital all in one number.
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Made a pair of J-shaped steel flat bar adapters for the stock rear indicator location, and fitted my 70s/80s vintage Denfeld luggage rack/pannier bracket. These were "the poor man's alternative" to Krauser luggage back in the day. Had a rack like this one on my RD350 in -81.
And here is my blanking plug/nut securing washer for the swing arm pivot bolt.
What about a pair of Daytona Velona analog electronic gauges? Sorry for mirror image pics.....
Wordman
XS650 Addict
I thought about it. LOL Can't wait until I feel well enough to go out and play.
Wired in a mini-relay per Jim's diagram to cut off generator field when starting - it sits nicely in the space where the light checker used to be. It's attached with velcro, so there's a bit of vibration dampening. Thanx to Jim for the idea - very nifty way to eliminate an unnecessary power draw when engaging the starter.
Installed the nice NOS '75 tank I got in auction on Ebay. No issues. Hylomar blue on the petcock/tank interface.
I was reading today that Hylomar is used extensively in Formula One garages.
Wish I could take it for a spin, but, like many of you in the US, we are experiencing oppressive heat/humidity..
....and storm clouds approaching as I write...
I was reading today that Hylomar is used extensively in Formula One garages.
Wish I could take it for a spin, but, like many of you in the US, we are experiencing oppressive heat/humidity..
....and storm clouds approaching as I write...
IMO, the 1975 XS650B colour scheme is the most attractive paint scheme ever put on a motorcycle.
Looks beautiful Dude!
Pete
Looks beautiful Dude!
Pete
I second that. That has got to be one of the sharpest factory paint jobs I have ever seen on a vintage bike. Great color scheme. I am kicking myself for not buying the NOS dented tank here on the local CL for 130.00. Exact same tank.
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Yup, what they said. She’s a beauty Dude!
Yup, I agree that this is the best XS650 paint scheme.
When I saw this bike on Craigs a couple years ago, I hooked up the trailer and chased it down like a dog in heat.
I just about wet my pants when I came upon it in the driveway of the seller's house. Managed to actually talk him down to $1500, and he threw in a bunch of spare parts.
It continues to be my favorite bike in the collection.
When I saw this bike on Craigs a couple years ago, I hooked up the trailer and chased it down like a dog in heat.
I just about wet my pants when I came upon it in the driveway of the seller's house. Managed to actually talk him down to $1500, and he threw in a bunch of spare parts.
It continues to be my favorite bike in the collection.
I don’t have data but my sense is that 1975 was a big year for the XS650 so there should be some more nice ones out there.
That's quite the fleet you've got there Gator!
Pete
Pete
Hot Hot in the Flatlands
With the garage thermometer showing over 30 degrees C and not much breeze, I retreated to the basement to work on the portable bits for the '77 cafe. First up were the dual front brakes that the P. O. had painted. On disassembly, one of the pistons was good, the other pitted.
Braving the heat, I went out test fitted the caliper holders on L and R to see if they seemed correct and looks good.
Next to rebuild the calipers and figure out a master cylinder size.
With the garage thermometer showing over 30 degrees C and not much breeze, I retreated to the basement to work on the portable bits for the '77 cafe. First up were the dual front brakes that the P. O. had painted. On disassembly, one of the pistons was good, the other pitted.
Braving the heat, I went out test fitted the caliper holders on L and R to see if they seemed correct and looks good.
Next to rebuild the calipers and figure out a master cylinder size.
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I got to take my clutch off today. I was messing with cold starts and idle control on the EFI bike, and suddenly it started just dragging the starter gear. Opened it up and somehow the spring to push gear 4 back had failed. Luckily I had a spare and it is all better. Also put a new wideband o2 sensor in as the old one was reading wrong. Finally I took the IAC off to clean and check it and found half my problem was the version I got. The ford 2 wire valves all look the same, but some variations default closed, some default partially open. Turns out the one I had defaulted partially open which didn't help adjust idle.
