What have you done to your XS today?

My 76xs the "Prairie sailor" got a new hand built stainless 2into1 intake with a 41mm fcr carb. In the midst of jetting it. It's pretty lean right now :( is insanely snappy with full choke. Any theories on how many jets it should come up ? I'm thinkn 2 on pilot and 4 on mains
Custom tail
Full custom side dump exhaust
Check out the secondary pegs "pivot pegs" going back to my MX heritage
 

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View attachment 163096
RRRrr, RRRrr, RRRrr, Click Click or
What's a Nasty Joint Like This Doing on a Nice Bike Like That.
Winter Storage Blues.
Pulled the starter off because three tries would kill a new battery, cleaned it up but no joy yet.
Hey Mr. LAKE, the terminal cover looks pretty bad. I searched the world over for one, then realized that spark plug and/or distributor wire caps also work well. And they're good for thousands of volts. FYI.
Hope you're doing well up there, eh!
 
Well, I finally got around to getting an old inner tube to put between my crash bar and the foot pegs because they kept moving on me.
Got one on, and then managed to strip the second as I tightened it back on. Guess I have a legitimate reason to go ahead and buy some new ones....
 
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Ordered some bigger, multi adjustable pegs. They’re a little more modern looking, I hope they won’t look out of place, but they’ll sure be comfy. I’ve had my eye on them for months.
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When cleaning up the garage around my project, I found used carburetor needles in a box. Can anyone of you assign them to the respective carburetors?
 

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Using some spare BS34 carbs I had aquired, built up a set for the SG. Used the same jets and needles from the original carbs. Reason being I know the seals on the throttle shafts are worn out on the set I have been using for the last 10 yrs. I am hoping the newer carbs have better seals. Also got the Manometer out and sync'ed the carbs. It did make a difference in the smoothness of the ride. When the SG gets in the shed for her total overhaul, a set of BS34's will be sent out for overhaul. New seals, diaphragms and O rings. The works.
 
Fired up WJL and rode it up n down the hill. Charged the battery, couple no ignition kicks turned on the key, Brm brm started and stayed ruining first kick!
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Gary does kicking it over a few time no ignition help with a cold start ?
Also I had a Yamaha mechanic who said "when you put the choke on not to mess with the throttle" or it kicks out the choke or something like that?
Did he know what he was talking about
 
Yes, they say applying throttle negates the choke function, but I find I always need to as soon as the motor catches to get it and keep it running. Usually this consists of just several quick, small blips to coax the motor into running at a higher idle with the choke on.
 
Yes, they say applying throttle negates the choke function, but I find I always need to as soon as the motor catches to get it and keep it running. Usually this consists of just several quick, small blips to coax the motor into running at a higher idle with the choke on.
Yeah I sometimes need to give it just a little blip or 2
Hey if it works
 
Gary does kicking it over a few time no ignition help with a cold start ?
Also I had a Yamaha mechanic who said "when you put the choke on not to mess with the throttle" or it kicks out the choke or something like that?
Did he know what he was talking about
I normally don't bother with no iggy kicks on e-start bikes. and it's a been sitting a long time thing. Say a couple days or more, WJL hadn't run since November.
Funny you mention the choke this one doesn't stay on "all the way" prolly just need to snug the screw on the handle.
What 5T sez, no throttle as you start the kick but adding just a RCH's worth as you descend helps it catch and stay running. That's been my go to start on carbed motors since my first 283 in a 61 Chev, 'less an engine prefers a different technique. And a few do.
On cars you never wanted to touch the throttle if it had only been sitting for 10 15 minutes. The carb would cool enough that opening the throttle would close the choke and the motor would flood. Then I'd be out under the hood jambing a comb in the choke plate to clear the flood. The good ole daze LOL
 
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Scrapmetal, take a closer look at the needles you've labeled "5LX11". They may be 5IX11 which would be the Canadian adjustable needle for the BS34 carbs. I'm not familiar with the 5T4 needles, they may not be 650 needles.
 
PS If they've been sitting a while I turn the fuel on, hold the front brake and pump the forks a few times. Figure it shakes the floats, frees the float valves and gets a bit of fresh gas in the float bowls. :shrug: but it seems to work for me.
 
If sitting a looong time, I put my vac petcocks on "Prime" for a minute or so to refill the bowls. They can get very low on fuel due to evaporation.
 
Ordered some bigger, multi adjustable pegs. They’re a little more modern looking, I hope they won’t look out of place, but they’ll sure be comfy. I’ve had my eye on them for months.
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TZ, check out the foot pegs on my old Triumph. I swapped those , in place of the stock round pegs and absolutely loved them! And very well made too. I know yours are for mounting as highway pegs, but the pegs are the same.
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