1976 650

ElCameeeno

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I just picked this up this morning and joined this forum as I am sure I will have many questions. Its a 1976 two owner bike with 4500 miles. Garage kept its whole life and it really nice shape although it has not been started in a few years. How do I tell what model it is? Anyway, my adventure begins!
xs650.jpg
 
The 76 is the C model. But that bike is a 75 B model. The forks have the brake calipers on the front of the forks, in 76 they moved them to the rear.
The best way to tell is to check the frame and engine numbers against one of the many charts.
There are links to these charts in the TECH section.
Hey I got the same Yellow Factory repair manual. A very good book by the way.
Leo
 
Good to know that it is a '75. The lady I bought it from's husband passed away a few years ago and I am sure she just got it wrong. It took her a while before she was ready to let go of it.
 
The title will have it on it. But checking the numbers is a sure thing.
On motorcycles some places used to allow a left over to be titled the year it was sold. As in a 75 being sold in 76 and being titled as a 76. Not a great problem. Just something that happens.
Leo
 
You mind if I ask how much you paid. i got a 75 in about the same condition with 9000 miles for $800 about 9 months ago
 
Worth every penny! Nice clean original. Great buy! :thumbsup:
 
Thanks! My plan is to go through it and get it running correctly. Then I will detail it and make it as nice as I can without changing anything. After that, I will ride it sparingly on nice days.

There are some bikes that are correct for modification and some that are not. This one will stay factory original.
 
Good to hear! Pictures of the clean-up would be nice. Beautiful bike, man! I love those old originals.
 
The first thing I might suggest is starting at one end of the bike and working toward the other checking each and every electrical connection for clean and tight. A dab of dialectric grease will help keep them clean.
I might also suggest getting a set of alternator brushes, points, and a new battery.
On the battery there are many options. I just put in a Ballistic Batteries 8 cell battery in mine. A bit costly but it works great. It is about half the size of the stock battery, weighs 1.7 lbs and has between 30 and 50 % more cranking power. Depends on what battery you compare it to. The stock size battery depending on maker can have between 180 to 210 CCA's. The 8 cell has 275.
With a stock battery my 750 kitted 75 wouldn't crank very well. Not very fast or very long. The new battery cranks it faster and longer.
Leo
 
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