What have you done to your XS today?

Looking to fit a Fiat voltage regulator into my '82 Special, which came with the integrated regulator/rectifier, and came up with this as a way to plug it into the existing harness conveniently. Mid-January weather has come to SE MI in early Nov, so haven't had a chance yet to see if it works, but these pic's show the general idea. This would only work if OEM air boxes have been removed and replaced with other filters. The Fiat regulator attaches to a 6mm x 40 bolt threaded through from the backside of the nut at the bottom of the battery box. I replaced the connector that came on the regulator with a Cycle Terminals 2.8mm 2-pin locking connector. The green and brown leads were salvaged from the harness of a really cheap eBay OEM regulator; they replace the same-color leads coming up to the 8-pin connector from the original r/r that remains attached to the central frame downtube and still has to do its AC-to-DC rectifying job. Because the battery box is electrically isolated from the frame, a ground lead is needed from the regulator to the frame; I took that up to the main frame ground where the battery is grounded. The whole setup fits nicely behind the side cover with enough clearance for some air flow over the regulator - the side cover attaches to the hex-shaped spacer you see in the "mock-fitting" pic with the button hex screw. Hope it all works, but Hell (we have a Hell, MI, you know) has frozen over here for awhile - may be next Spring before I know for sure. If it doesn't, it's easily reversible.
 

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delagem, you are building one sweeet ride there.

Thank you sir! I was hoping to have had it running before the winter weather hit, but it didn't happen. Waiting on a few hard-to-find bits. Oil filter plate from xs650shop.de and sump spacer from Howard at SmedSpeed.co.uk. These parts are becoming harder and harder to find. Unfortunately, Howard is closing down his shop, so he won't have these parts for long.

I really dislike that I had to put those original side covers back on, but all the exposed wiring looked terrible and I wasn't up for all the rewiring it would take to hide it under the seat. Maybe a project for the future. I'd also need to lower the front end a touch; looks a bit too Harley-ish and we're trying for the Cafe Racer era...

I don't like the chrome gas cap and raw aluminum covers. Need to find a shop that anodizes things either brass or gold. Anyone have a recommendation?

Michael

An example of Howards filter conversion and sump spacer plate:

newoil2 by michael delage, on Flickr
 
I think I like that spacer plate and would like to see about getting one for my bike! How about some details on that piece and where to get, how much$, and any more info relevant please. It looks as if it would greatly reduce crankshaft windage by lowering the sump or offer more oil capacity or a bit of both! All of which sounds good...........Oh, are there any clearance issues with center stand or the MAC 2 into 1 exhaust? The filter down there is nice too but already got the one in right crankcase cover that uses the Honda atv paper element and will stay with that.
 
I think I like that spacer plate and would like to see about getting one for my bike! How about some details on that piece and where to get, how much$, and any more info relevant please. It looks as if it would greatly reduce crankshaft windage by lowering the sump or offer more oil capacity or a bit of both! All of which sounds good...........Oh, are there any clearance issues with center stand or the MAC 2 into 1 exhaust? The filter down there is nice too but already got the one in right crankcase cover that uses the Honda atv paper element and will stay with that.

Howards spacer plate was $45 shipped. He has 2 models, 20mm and 30mm thick. I don't know about the center stand or MAC 2 into 1. You can contact Howard directly thru his website, he was very responsive to emails.

His website mentions exactly what you point out, how the spacer can be used to reduce crank windage and improve HP. I, however, bought it to increase oil capacity.

http://www.smedspeed.co.uk/startconv.html

I like how this taillight from Dime City Cycle turned out:

IMG_1439 by michael delage, on Flickr
 
Hi there. I contacted Howard today, inspired by this thread. He says:

"If you are on any of the forums you might like to tell of my future intentions, i still want to “ keep my hand in” but don't want all the work that goes with trying to compete with mass produced Taiwanese parts"

So he is still intending on continuing a bunch of work like these oil modifications. He says

"I still supply 277 and 360 cams in nine formats, Smedspeed designed valves made by the same firm that supply Cosworth, clutch kits and rephased cranks amongst other things, what i wont be supplying any more are 750 and 880 big bore kits, engine work, generic parts ..... Wemoto, Heiden etc. However by popular demand i am still doing oil filter kits, as they are personal to my business."
 
However by popular demand i am still doing oil filter kits, as they are personal to my business."

Interesting. I must have caught him on a bad day. Just 10 days ago he flat refused to machine me an oil filter conversion plate. This after confirming with him 3 months prior that he would do one for me. So I bought one of his sump extenders and scrambled to find someone else that would make that plate.

Howard seems like a great guy, I'm sure it's tough being in a niche business like XS650 specialty parts.

Michael
 
1980 running rich. So I dropped the needle. Starts easier. Doesn't smoke. Fuel filter cracked, and I didn't have another filter, so I used a piece of tygon without a filter. Tank is rust free and the pet has new socks, so should be fine
Took off the cheap a$$mikesxs monza rear shocks and sos-ed a set of standard shock I had lying around. It's about a inch taller now, and on the stiffest preload. It was bottoming out before. It shouldn't now. Trying to sell off. If I let it idle for a few minutes, it loads the plugs. I hope I got it straight. If not, smaller pilots.
 
Changed the oil and filter. Installed balance beads.
 
I changed the oil Sunday morning, filled the tank to the brim with treated fuel, and sprayed fogging oil in the cylinders. She’s officially down for the winter. The oil was metallicy again :( I thought the engine was especially clackety on my thanksgiving ride. I think I will definitely be “upgrading” to the cam chain adjuster with the lock nut over the winter. Is there a rule of thumb as to how often you need to check/adjust cam chain tension?
 
Well got a couple things done! Installed a center stand and bump stop with the help from a few members trick with washers in the spring (missed having one from my previous 77 D). Used roloc disc to my bars to smooth down the throttle action & return. Raised fork back to stock location within triple trees. I had to lower cause of new tires raised the front end and quite the lean angle on the side stand. Couple other do dads but all in all a good day. Tomorrow will be my Roadstar's turn for a few things.
 
Got a new AGM battery for "The SG". The old one wasn't that old but It never held a full charge. After the installation I out for a ride. She didn't run or sound quite right so back to the bikeport. I figured it was time for quick carb clean and inspection. No real surprises on teardown. Float bowls were clean and almost sediment free. Jets were clean and clear. Shot some carb cleaner in the passageways. I'm taking a break for some grub now. Getting back to finish re-installment soon. Gotta order the calendar next.
 
Matching Skull Hi/Lo beam switch, working on skull horn switch, with hidden starter button. Drawn and successful side panel ignition, and filling up open holes on my new headlamp.
 

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With the help of my friend and his welder, I am moving on with my tracker. We removed EVERYTHING!! (lights, lots of wiring, rear mudguard and stuff, battery box...).
I bought a 7Ah battery which is pretty small and work on it's side, so we mocked up a cardboard battery and box.
I wanted to keep rubber mounts, so I found some 20mm X 15mm rubber spacers and we (well I drank beer and watched) bent some hoops out of steel bar.
Finally it was tacked up, it's big enough for the TCI and fusebox. It's about 70mm deep.
I also ordered a beach racing seat unit, which completely covers the battery box!! So the plan was to chop some of it up.

46668705_420617751805719_7391672560758292480_n.jpg46665743_331713150942855_876598512966434816_n.jpg 47190701_807195869611372_2827862044563210240_n.jpg 47051605_281274959198007_3445783512039292928_n.jpg
 
View attachment 131144 View attachment 131143 Today or rather two days ago I finally got the correct seat for my 75. So I fitted it on and it now looks right, the later seat was OK, a bit too compliant for me. I believe the seat I now have spare is for a 76 and later bike.

Well another beautiful bike! What else have you got hiding up your sleeve? I just finished looking at your amazing Royal Enfield, I think you need to create a photo album so we can see your bikes!
 
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