5twins's latest activity

Most of us use the Tsubaki chain, it's supposed to be a little better than the D.I.D. one. About the best price at the moment is from...

If you loosen screw #14, that whole bracket with the points on it should slide up and down, and that will adjust the core gap.

By 20K miles, many times the chain is stretched out. It's not because it's a bad part but simply because it wasn't maintained well...

Use any lube very sparingly. Any excess will squeeze out and mess up the inside of the glass. I think I might just clean all the rings...

Here's a write-up on drum brake servicing. See post #3 ...

Just one small thing I'll mention - your lever adjuster screw is in backwards, lol. The head should be on the outside so you can adjust it.

I was a bit leery at first too because I had never torn apart a motor with an overhead cam and that required it to be "timed" upon...

Yes, it is a bit harder to find parts for the early models, and they usually cost more too. For a first 650, I would stick with a '74 or...

Unfortunately, the only large enough hose clamp I have has a couple "bumps" under the screw. Gary's suggestion to wrap electrical tape...

If he also removed the starter safety relay, I'd put that back on too. It cuts power to the starter once the motor is running.

Here's the regulator setting instructions ..... Way back, before I changed to the VR115 (great mod), my original regulator was only...

When you set your floats, did you set them at 25mm? That's the spec for the '76-'77 carb set, not 24mm like some of the other BS38 carbs...

Yes, that's good stuff, but I'm not sure he can get it in the UK? It's also not cheap.

OK, well my "routine" is a couple of kicks with the choke on, no throttle, then I flip the choke off and give it a couple kicks with the...

The ones I use can vary a little in thickness. I mike them out and if need be, sand the "fat" one down a little. It only takes a few...

I find it easier to kick if I'm on the bike rather than standing next to it. That being said, these are rather cold blooded so need the...

You might try plain old vinegar. The parts will flash rust rather quickly after that so get right on the painting.

Yes, what you need to understand is that the three circuits in your carb overlap the ones next to them slightly. This means that...

Yes, I re-use original float bowl gaskets most of the time, but if you need some new ones, shop for the K&L brand. They make a quality...

Since you've increased the main and pilot jet sizes, you may not need to do this needle shimming at all. Your new larger jets will bleed...

It's best to use original Yamaha float needle and seat assemblies. They are a bit expensive but you're assured of quality and a perfect...

The UNI filter you want is the UP4200 or UP4200ST (dual layer). The 2" I.D. mounting flange is a perfect slip fit on the BS38 intake...

It's more than that lip on those filters. The simple fact is pleated K&N type pod filters don't work well with CV carbs. They give a...

Look at a parts diagram, that will show you what you need to know. You've found the lower rear bolt (#36) but there's another that goes...

Normally, I replace the mains because I need larger ones anyway for my mods (pipes and pods). I use only genuine Mikuni jets and usually...

Yes, it is ..... ...... but parts prices are always changing and it seems that buying the actual Yamaha one is a little cheaper at...

Yes, that '83 sidestand with all the extra brackets on it for that silly sidestand safety switch makes sump plate removal more...

I do run the no alcohol gas in all my bikes, lawn mower and snow blower too. This carb came from my $25 XS500, lol. No idea how long it...

Yes, this float failed the dip test after cleaning ..... I'm glad I discovered that the BS38 floats are a common, readily available...

Well maybe I guess. But the several I've encountered all looked like that. The texturing on the brass tells me this float was coated...

This is one of the reasons I liberally anti-seize areas like this.

Well, I'm kinda into the carbs and have made quite a study of them, lol. At least the later linked sets anyway. I'm sure there's things...

No, it's welded in. The "fix" is to cut it off or drill it out and weld in a new one.

If your carb set is a '76-'77 one then there are no o-rings or washers on the mix screws, just a spring ...... The o-ring came along...

Yes, I'm pretty sure they are the exact same part, just so much cheaper from Suzuki. Suzuki used very similar Mikuni BS type carbs on...

Gosh, those European rear fenders took a serious hit with the "ugly stick", lol.

You can use the block of wood against the drain plug. That may be easier than trying to get it on the thin edge of the sump plate.

I don't know about Canada, but that may not be legal for us in the States here because it doesn't have a clear bottom to illuminate the...

Only what I've already suggested. Get a nice block of hardwood, maybe a foot or so long so you can really hit it hard away from the...

I just put some heater hose on the tang. The muffler doesn't get hot enough to melt it. It's been on there for years and works well...

Yes, it was the only good pic I had of correctly installed brushes, lol. My '78 came to me with one right, one wrong ..... I didn't...

..... but you should check it at both, especially if you're still using the stock ATU. They are made to advance the timing exactly 25°...

Yes, you want to cover that lower terminal on the starter motor where the heavy cable connects. When I got my '78, the starter didn't...

Also, your brushes are installed incorrectly. The brush wire should wrap around the outside of each bracket, not the inside as you have...

Early Yamaha mags needed tubes. You'll need to examine the wheels, particularly the webs of the spokes. They will be marked if the...

The first one looks like a spacer sleeve that inserts into one of the rubber grommets. A bolt then goes through it and the sleeve keeps...

I don't doubt that, especially where you live. Your hot, dry climate is tougher on them.

It looks like you've eliminated the headlight/starter safety relay (bad) but left that silly RLU in place (worse)?

The way the seal seat is designed, I don't think they are meant to or need to fit tight into the carb body. The seal works on vacuum...

Keeping the pivots well greased makes an amazing difference. If they're dry and rusty, the stand will bind up big time and be very...