My take on how to replace BS38s with something less troublesome

Bellini · Jul 18, 2018

I've had some useful information from here in the past, so just giving a little back. Might be of interest to some.

I'm probably going to get told it's a 1973 model year. My mistake, I think it was manufactured in '72 though.

robinc · Jul 18, 2018

Amazing work Bellini! Beautiful Bike!

MaxPete · Jul 18, 2018

Dang - nice work and very nicely presented!

Pete

MrBultaco · Jul 18, 2018

txxs · Jul 18, 2018

Excellent work.
(also nice looking 73 model)

Mailman · Jul 18, 2018

Outstanding work! The bike looks and sounds great. I really like those Dellortos!

cra-z1 · Jul 18, 2018

Nice job on the 73 model. You dont see to many of those around.

GLJ · Jul 20, 2018

Nice bike, very well done conversion. Must have been a very early 73. It has the tins and coloring of a 73 but it has a 72 motor in it.

nighthog · Jul 21, 2018

Really fantastic, neat job. Very impressive. How has it changed the bike's behaviour on the open road?

Bellini · Jul 21, 2018

nighthog said:
How has it changed the bike's behaviour on the open road?

This is the only XS650 I've ever ridden, but I'd like to believe it's made it like it was in 1973.
Bearing in mind that previously I'd never exerienced it with fault-free carbs, I can only describe it now as delightful.

It starts first kick - cold, warm or hot.
It idles reliably at a constant rpm, even if its getting hot in traffic or just been thrashed on the motorway.
It's smooth throughout the rev range at all loads.
You can ride at 30mph in top gear and pull away smoothly if you're gentle with the throttle.
It makes good power. I don't have access to a dyno but it feels like the factory claimed horsepower to my backside.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments.

weaselbeak · Jul 22, 2018

Very nice, but I have to slightly disagree with labeling BS38's as troublesome. Properly tuned they are golden, IMO.

Paul Sutton · Jul 22, 2018

I really like the video/text format you chose, easy to follow! Nice work also!!

My take on how to replace BS38s with something less troublesome

Bellini

You're an absolute shower

robinc

Member of the 'yellow meter gang'

MaxPete

Lucille, Betty, Demi, Gretel & Big Sue money pits.

MrBultaco

Motorcyclist

txxs

XS650 Addict

Mailman

Hardly a Guru

cra-z1

XS650 Guru

GLJ

Never go faster than your guardian angle can fly.

nighthog

A bit of a bike hacker

Bellini

You're an absolute shower

weaselbeak

XS650 Junkie

Paul Sutton

I Collect Fingers

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