Found in barn, XS650E

jetmechmarty

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Actually, it was more of a damp Appalachian garage. A former in-law abandoned it in my brother in-law’s garage. He wanted it gone, so my father-in-law trucked it down to Georgia for me. I don’t remember how long I had it in the basement, but I brought it with me to Mississippi.

I haven’t decided what to do with it. I’ve considered fixing it and riding it ugly for a bit. The odo shows about 27,000 miles. It’s nasty with corrosion, in spite of being stored indoors.

So far:
The fork stop tab is bent/broken.
Charging rotor shorted.
Strainer full of metal. I guess the oil pump is toast.
 
A little of this, a little of that, a couple cans of rattle...
I'm sure if you look in the marketplace, you'll find everything you'll need (for cheap! :wink2: ) to turn it into a respectable rider. Maybe a daily rider! Good luck, and keep us posted (we're nosy!).
 
A little of this, a little of that, a couple cans of rattle...
I'm sure if you look in the marketplace, you'll find everything you'll need (for cheap! :wink2: ) to turn it into a respectable rider. Maybe a daily rider! Good luck, and keep us posted (we're nosy!).
Yes, I got the front fender at Barber for $5, the side covers at another swap meet for $5. The tank is 74/75, I think from eBay. The movers put a serious big dent in it.
 
Got a welder? I can send you the piece I cut off the speed twin wannabe.
 
Get it flat again. Grinding or filing. 2 fender washers on each side and a long 6mm stud with a nut above and below to sandwich it all together. May a long bolt if one could be found could be used instead of a stud.
 
1+ on the #3 phillips. I use a #3 bit in a bit holder and 1/4" breaker bar. Give you lots of torque and makes it easy to rock it back and forth (tighten/ loosen) 'till it finally breaks free.

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1+ on the #3 phillips. I use a #3 bit in a bit holder and 1/4" breaker bar. Give you lots of torque and makes it easy to rock it back and forth (tighten/ loosen) 'till it finally breaks free.

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Hey that 1/4" handle is Dented!
I will always loosen/tighten starting with a hand impact...
 
For the tougher bolts, I have found that bringing a bit more metal and muscle to the job does the trick.
With a larger wrench, you can put more weight behind the operation.
I use a 1/2" drive.

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...and for the really seized items, such as the phillips engine side case bolts on the RD350 I restored last winter (replaced all of them with SS allen heads) , I use a 1/2" air wrench. My Chicago Pneumatic has a continuously variable notchless air adjustment allowing for setting the torque zackly where you want it. This has never failed for me.

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Before reaching for the hand impact, my trick, for stubborn hardware, whether using a wrench or socket, is to load some tension on the wrench, and "bonk" it with a rubber mallet. You get the momentary "spike" in torque, but it's less sharp than a metal hammer, so less likelihood of snapping the fastener. That first, then the impact. If that doesn't work, it's time for the "hot wrench"!
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But it (almost) never comes to that! :doh:
 
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