New to site could use some help

Twitchknaf

Twitchknaf

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Picked up a project xs650 78 for a birthday present and, have been trying to get it running for a while now. With a brief 5 minute success before it fell on its face. After going over the carb PDF and cleaning then cleaning some more. Setting the float height and verifying the float height. I was not successful in getting it to even hiccup again. Sprayed some starter fluid in and had the worst kickback ever,
1978 xs650 pamco ignition and charging system.
So I started reading some more and decided to pull the advance unit apart and check the timing as well. After doing cam chain valves etc
First no timing marks. So I got the straws out and marked the rotor and cases for tdc 15' and full advance. All information from this forum "love you guys for the silent help"
Set the pamco rotor as per pictures for generic starting place and nothing.

So pulled the advance unit apart completely and this is what I found picture included the plate is destroyed no locating pin in place
After I receive a replacement one what are my steps for proper timing and is there anywhere else I need to check
17097632_1524027757609925_8924115786993271986_o.jpg
 

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Hi Twitch: I'm not the guy to help you (I've got one of my own that I'm trying to start) but holy cow!

How the heck did your advance unit mounting plate wind up looking like that? Anyhow - stand by, the experts will undoubtedly jump in shortly.

Pete
 
You are doing fine. The advance plate needs to be firmly attached with the cogged nut. It will require setting the nut with a hammer and punch in my opinion.
When you replace the advance disc make sure the line is mated/matched/lined up with the line on the advance unit. Not sure where you plan to source parts but if it were me I would try to find a good used OEM unit through the classifieds on the site. Welcome and keep the forum informed as to your progress.
 
appreciate the responses no clue im assuming the po had no clue what was going on i have 2 pamco rotor assemblys multiple coils a set of xsperformance carbs to go with the bike i opted to stick with the single cable carbs as parts have been hard to source
 
The plate has to be locked down. The pin is to orientate the plate to the cam not to hold it. If the nut loosens the pin eats the plate.
 
weekendrider said:
The plate has to be locked down. The pin is to orientate the plate to the cam not to hold it. If the nut loosens the pin eats the plate.
Click to expand...

im sure of that, this wasn't done by myself but upon removal of the plate there was no pin in sight

just placed an order from mikes 2nd day air for the plate and pin full assembly hopefully i have a good experience with them
 
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From Mike's XS, eh? Good luck with that. Those Chiwanese repops have been trouble--pivot posts often misaligned and sometimes coming loose from the ATU rotor ("plate"). Yamaha did a fresh run of ATU's a few years back, and there's still a good stock of NOS units out there for around $150 US.
 
Hi Twitchknaf and welcome,
oh my, that advancer has seen better days, eh?
What I'd do is give up on replacing the mechanical advancer and use the Pamco that has an electronic advancer instead.
That Pamco comes with a custom advancer rod to lock the Pamco stuff in place.
I'd also put a front brake on that hardtail of yours but then, I'm an easily frightened old fart.
 
fredintoon said:
Hi Twitchknaf and welcome,
oh my, that advancer has seen better days, eh?
What I'd do is give up on replacing the mechanical advancer and use the Pamco that has an electronic advancer instead.
That Pamco comes with a custom advancer rod to lock the Pamco stuff in place.
I'd also put a front brake on that hardtail of yours but then, I'm an easily frightened old fart.
Click to expand...

Oh a front brake is in the works the p.o included most of the required items to accomplish this. I'll definitely look into the e advance and see how that works. I wanted to make a clear cover for the mechanical setup as I enjoy the looks of it
 
Well sure, if you like a visual display of fly-weights spinning around, then keep the ATU. However, if you want an excellent ignition system, then the Pamco and E-advancer is the soluton. The right end of the E-advancer on the camshaft is definitely quite boring to look at, but you could add coloured streamers that fly around when the engine is running.:)
 
I'm not sure but I don't think the Pamco e-advancer works well with a PMA charging system unless you run a battery.
I assume you have a PMA because in your first post you mention "A Pamco ignition and charging system" Pamco does not make a charging system, Pamco only make ignitions. I assume the kit you have came from Mike's XS and he combines the Pamco with an XSCharge PMA system.
Most run a PMA so they can run without a battery.
Leo
 
Correct it is the pma system and yes I plan on keeping the battery south Florida rain would suck to kick in lol. On a side note got the atu in and installed she roared to life first kick no timing light at the moment so I'll have to fine tweak it at a later date, slight misfire at idle and the left cylinder head is leaking oil at the base I'm going to attempt a retorque this weekend see if that fixes it other wise I took the ok girl around the block a few times first Japanese bike started on Harley's and I'm hooked thanks for all the help here guys greatly appreciated
 
Twitchknaf said:
Correct it is the pma system and yes I plan on keeping the battery south Florida rain would suck to kick in lol. On a side note got the atu in and installed she roared to life first kick no timing light at the moment so I'll have to fine tweak it at a later date, slight misfire at idle and the left cylinder head is leaking oil at the base I'm going to attempt a retorque this weekend see if that fixes it other wise I took the ok girl around the block a few times first Japanese bike started on Harley's and I'm hooked thanks for all the help here guys greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
If the mechanical ATU is working for you, just keep using it. If it ever becomes problematic, you could always switch over to the E-advancer, but just be sure to always use a battery with the PMA. I agree with Leo, a capacitor in lieu of a battery, is just asking for trouble.
 
well again thanks for all your guys help as ive been able to continue working the bugs out of this thing and have made some substantial progress yet ive hit another snag and i think i have it figured out but wanted to verify with the experience group
17498957_1548337678512266_2420784706036668334_n.jpg
17505079_1548337758512258_7005233284534255642_o.jpg
17499264_1548338038512230_5841655466882558458_n.jpg

so i have the whole rear axle assembly ordered it looks like a spacing issue but im not sure on the chain against the hub isssue
 
That back wheel looks to be misalined. You must be missing spacers for the axle. This is not safe............ don't ride that bike until you sort that out.
That chain is badly in need of lubrication.
 

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