What I think I have here is

[FatChance]

A 1978 XS650E with SE rims?

Just picked it up this evening. This is also my first post and project bike. After looking at the bike for a few minutes at the sellers house I thought something was just off about it but, didn’t know what it was. Once you see it, it is about all you can see.

Manual has been shipped and tear down starts on Sunday.

 

[Jim]

I thought something was just off about it but, didn’t know what it was. Once you see it, it is about all you can see.

Please don't tell me he did that on purpose...

Welcome to the madhouse. What's you plans for it?

 

[YamadudeXS650C]

The best story might be that the PO caught that bullet roaring away from an angry husband who came home from work an hour early, only to discover his wife...

 

[gggGary]

Welcome aboard from a fellow Wisconsinite.

View attachment 153124 A 1978 XS650E with SE rims?

Sounds about right from what I can see. More, different pics to pin things down zactly.
Is it a runner? Always nice to ride it a bit before the project starts, if for no other reason than to find out what may need attention.
Flip side of that is I worry when I see changed exhaust, did they fatten the jets? IE how long 'for the piston gets holed.
Looks like a good starting place. Please do a build thread!

 

[FatChance]

Please don't tell me he did that on purpose...

Welcome to the madhouse. What's you plans for it?

No, it was not intentionally on backwards.

Plans? As a complete noob to this, I think the proper term for what I’m looking to do is a restomod.

First order of business is to get the motor out of the frame and down to the basement. Winter is coming and my garage is not heated. I want to open the motor up, break the case and learn as much as I can, same intentions with the carbs as well. Once I do that and fix any problems then I will start working on the rest. I have some ideas on what I want the end product to be but, first things first.

Charley

 

[FatChance]

Welcome aboard from a fellow Wisconsinite.

Sounds about right from what I can see. More, different pics to pin things down zactly.
Is it a runner? Always nice to ride it a bit before the project starts, if for no other reason than to find out what may need attention.
Flip side of that is I worry when I see changed exhaust, did they fatten the jets? IE how long 'for the piston gets holed.
Looks like a good starting place. Please do a build thread!

She started right up and I took her for a chilly ride. Went through all the gears. I didn’t like seeing those pipes either. Plugs did not look like it was running lean. I’m considering a build thread, I will need all the help I can get.

 

[Raymond]

Just a thought but why not get to know the bike and see what needs attention before launching right into a full rebuild? Replace the pipes, sort out obvious things, give her a service, strip and clean the brakes, etc. Then wait until next year - I know - ride the bike and see whether the engine needs any work?

Will be watching with interest whatever you decide.

 

[Superjet]

I think most responses will be to sort out what needs attention while all is together now and go from there. Before pulling the motor do a compression test. From there how does the engine sound when running? Drain the oil and pull the sump and side filters to see what hides inside. Any black strips could be cam chain guide. Doing a thorough go thru and list what needs initial attention helps source parts and prioritize the repairs needed. These guys on here are the best of any forum I have been on and I have learned so much over the years. Good luck with your resto mod. JC

*edit* almost forgot does the electrical system charge? That is a big one people struggle with so best to know How to properly check and diagnose. Check out the tech section and there are plenty of good articles to read.

 

[5twins]

Yes, the wheels are from a Special model. The rear drum brake mag only came on the '81 model so there's a good chance both wheels came from one. The '78 is a good year in my opinion, nice carbs, better forks than earlier models, just an overall more refined bike than the earlier ones. But, as you'll discover as you look around the site here, there's much you can do to improve the old girl. Lots of little inexpensive mods and upgrades.

 

[gggGary]

Where in the land of cheeseheads are you?
we might be able to hook you up with an exhaust for "testing purposes".

 

[member28833]

That pic of your newly acquired 78E with the 16” rear wheel shows a surprisingly good stance ! The rear end height seems quite acceptable. This was a considered mod to my own 78E and must say now that look does impress.
Hope to see more of your bike and progress too

 

[fredintoon]

The best story might be that the PO caught that bullet roaring away from an angry husband who came home from work an hour early, only to discover his wife...
View attachment 153137

Hi 'dude,
alas, it's more likely that the dreaded PO put the front fender on backwards?

 

[lakeview]

No need to pull the motor apart if it runs well. There is lots of cleaning and refreshing to keep you busy over the winter.
At least examine the filters/strainer contents before opening it up. Once it's cracked open, figure a grand before it's back together.

 

[FatChance]

Where in the land of cheeseheads are you?
we might be able to hook you up with an exhaust for "testing purposes".

Green Bay, thanks for the offer. I'm rethinking my plan based on the advice given already.

 

[FatChance]

That pic of your newly acquired 78E with the 16” rear wheel shows a surprisingly good stance ! The rear end height seems quite acceptable. This was a considered mod to my own 78E and must say now that look does impress.
Hope to see more of your bike and progress too

The stance looks good with smaller rear wheel because the forks are pushed up to the handle bars.

 

[mrtwowheel]

Hope that reversed fender is not a bad omen.

 

[FatChance]

Hope that reversed fender is not a bad omen.

Might just leave it like that, could confuse the cops as to which way I'm going.

 

[member28833]

The stance looks good with smaller rear wheel because the forks are pushed up to the handle bars.

Okay, I missed that too. So it’s known that if the forks are raised in the triple clamps too much , interference between the fender and bottom triple clamp can occur. Maybe it would be better to lower those forks tubes to about 3/8” above the top triple clamp surface and then find slightly longer rear shocks to lift the rear end a bit ?
Longer rear shocks are known to improve the handling of a stock 78XSE so in your case using a 16” rear wheel it seems a very good modification to consider.
-RT

 

[FatChance]

And that would explain the dings on the top of the fender which is currently on backwards. I couldn't figure out how they got there, now I know. Thank you.

Shocks are on the list if I keep the 16", I'm 6'4" a little extra height is also good for comfort.

 

[59Tebo]

Dear Fat,
Welcome to the party! This is the place to find the information you need to get your motorcycle sorted out, no doubt about it!
From the looks of it, what with the alloy wheels, and drum brake rear, you have an '81. It's kinda of a rare bird, in that it was the only year set up like that. All the others (with alloys) had a disc rear. But the seat, and other styling cues suggest an earlier model. Do a little more homework (check the tech section to positively identify your bike), and go from there. It could be a "Frankenstein". Ya know, they've only been around for 40+ years....