New to bikes

So I just bought myself a barn find and am super excited about it. It is a 1968 xs650 special with under 5000 miles. I was able to get it for $150 with keys and a title. I would appreciate some advice on what to do first. I was thinking about the gas tank due to some funky red powdery stuff that is everywhere. I am also curious about how much I may sink into this roughly. I know I need batteries, tires, and have to redo the carb. Also was $150 a good price? I am looking forward to growing a love for riding and thanks in advance for the advice.

I also forgot to add last time it was on the road was 1983

Welcome to the forum, Shorton910.
Quite a bargain you've got there.
The Specials ran from 1978 to 1983.
The forum's Tech section should be your first visit, particularly these threads:

http://www.xs650.com/threads/guide-...checklist-for-the-condition-of-your-find.367/

http://www.xs650.com/threads/manuals.41/

http://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650-...workshop-manuals-and-other-information.30569/

$150... great buy.... of course carbs need attention, I'd pull the tank, treat it internally and seal... we get Por15 kits locally. Chains, sprocket.. drop the rear to 32... I'd carefully disconnect the major electrical's... clean and proper lube the unions. Eventually.. fork seals.. ? service cables..basic stuff. Ck caliper slides... they stick. Caliper pistons ? Maybe toss in some light oil .. Marvel ? .. in the cylinders.. turn over..let sit for awhile prior to start up... the rings would applicate it.
You'll have a few $100 into bring'n it back.. and should have many smiles and miles.

Hi Shorton - and welcome!!

Your list is pretty good: tires, carbs, fuel tank, brakes, and wiring will all need attention and virtually for sure, all the rubber bits should be replaced (brake hoses and tires at a minimum). A lot of people find that the control cables (clutch for sure - but often the throttle as well) need replacement but these parts are easy to get and not expensive.

Get yourself a manual - you can download and print one for free and someone here will have the link to do that. You really can’t do much without a manual.

As well as the threads suggested above by TwoMany, another good idea would be to invest a few hours reading some of the “resurrection” threads and among the best are:
- “My 60th Birthday Present” by Mailman;
- “Stella” by DanielBlack;
- “Restoring a ‘76” by GeorgeOC.

These guys brought mid-70s XS650s back to life in just a few months and they methodically documented their work with good photos and well-written text. Also, they asked questions and got excellent advice and data from folks on the forum who really know their onions. The back and forth of the Q&A will be enormously helpful to you. By the way - all three of their bikes are candidates for the 2018 XS650 “pin-up girl” calendar - so this forum DOES lead to very pretty and reliably running bikes in fairly short order.

While you are reading, I’d keep a note pad handy as there are valuable nuggets of info sprinkled everywhere on where to buy parts etc. Also - if you need a part, be sure to TELL US - and you might be surprised to find that someone has just exactly that part and they’ll sell it cheap ...or actually GIVE it to you for the price of shipping.

As for how much money, I’ll bet you’ll have $5-800 in it or more before you’re done (including the purchase price) but you started really low ($150 for a complete bike in not too ugly shape...holy cow!!!). Having said that, you will have a super nice, unique and very cool motorcycle that will make eyeballs click wherever you go. The XS650is actually a very nice bike to ride. Not the fastest or the sharpest handling, but it can’t be beat for general booting around the countryside and it’s sound is unique and a total chick magnet.

Aside from asking questions and posting lots of pictures, you’re well on your way.

Looks like you’ve got yourself a ball game there!

Pete

Hey Shorton 910, 78XS specials have fairly good parts avaliability. Are fine XS's. A Great base for a resto project. And look at it this way, Its the best time of year to take it apart and decide what you want to make of it. As you have read already, plenty of recource here. I'd go for it and try mostly stock too .. -RT

Agreed - try it as a stock bike BEFORE hacking it all to heck (if that was your plan). As I said - a stock XS650 is a darned good motorcycle.

One thing, you might want to ditch the rotortiller handlebars that are stock on the “Special” models for something a little lower and flatter. Most people find lower bars to be MUCH more comfortable.

Yup, bars are a popular change. There are references in this online community of using CB750 handlebars. Those seem easy to find. I'd definately consider that option as they are still wide.

Agreed. As a new rider, you’d feel more secure with lower, wider handlebars - IMO anyway.

Drop the sump cover... it's usually stuck on there pretty good..... I'v been lucky.... large vise grip to the drain plug ..insert long screwdriver in open'n between the vice grip jaws.. pry down and then a sharp hammer rap on the screwdriver.. always pops off.
Keep it stock... it seems between the bobber, cafe', chopper craze stock Specials are few and far between. The h/bars are the first thing that most riders toss. I kept them on my 82'... just to keep it original. Post more photos.. !

Hey Welcome to the website, Shorton, from another New Yorker.
I'm in the Syracuse area, and there are quite a few of us CNY guys here. Some new CNY members have recently posted in another thread, The Garage.
There are lots of used XS parts on EBay, and I bought a '78 parts bike last week. Feel free to send me a PM if you need something.
You did well on your deal if that engine runs.

Dude

So I have nine days off for hunting. I just got back to the bike today. I jumped it with my escape, disconnected the fuel line and siphoned some gas, all of the lights work but I can't get it to start. It sounds like it wants to but doesn't. My next step is ether. Good idea or no? Also I will try to add a video I took and some close up engine pics. I will also have lots of time to read for nine days. Thanks for all the advice and I am sure I will have fun even though I am a starter to mechanics and bikes. I do scrap alot and know basic car repair.

View attachment 109108 View attachment 109109 View attachment 109108 View attachment 109109 So I have nine days off for hunting. I just got back to the bike today. I jumped it with my escape, disconnected the fuel line and siphoned some gas, all of the lights work but I can't get it to start. It sounds like it wants to but doesn't. My next step is ether. Good idea or no? Also I will try to add a video I took and some close up engine pics. I will also have lots of time to read for nine days. Thanks for all the advice and I am sure I will have fun even though I am a starter to mechanics and bikes. I do scrap alot and know basic car repair.

So I put the video on YouTube it is Yamaha 78 xs650 special new york.

Ether isn't a great idea. Burns very hot. If anything, use a very short burst of it.
First, though, do the basics, and take your time.
Use a fresh set of plugs, establish that you have a good spark in both cyl's, and are getting gas to the chambers. This bike should start without ether.
Jumping from a car can possibly be a risk to your electrical system, BTW. Better to use a healthy bike battery.

....and if you do get it running, I would do something about that rusty chain; it could be dangerous to drive the bike that way.

Yup - I agree with Dude - check for a spark.

Here are the steps (the first two actually have nothing to do with checking the spark, but you should make sure that the engine oil is good and your fuel system is clean before doing anything else):

1. Be certain there is clean oil in the engine (if in doubt - change it and use 20W50 NON-synthetic oil);
2. Be certain there is clean fuel in the tank (if in doubt, drain & refill - about 4 litres/1 gallon is enough)
3. Remove both spark plugs and ground them against the cylinder head (i.e. make sure the metal “nut” portion of the plug touches the cylinder head and cannot fall away);
4. Put the Kill switch to “Run”
5. Turn out the garage lights (really!!);
6. Hit the starter button for ....say....5 seconds;
7. Watch the spark plugs as the engine cranks

You should big bright bluish sparks on the tips of both spark plugs. If you have trouble seeing the sparks - try using new plugs.

I also do not recommend ether. If you’ve got a spark and clean fuel and carbs - it ought to start.

If you get a good spark and want to actually start the bike, put the plugs back in, torque them to the correct value and use the “choke”.

Most people have found that an XS650 will NOT start without the choke.

Pete

welcome to the forum Shorton910.
Thats a bargain you bought for sure.
I've taken the liberty of posting your video ,let me know if you want me to remove it.
You just need to select the media icon from the task bar in your XS650.com post window and copy paste the 'SHARE' link from your youtube video page