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B_Crabaugh

B_Crabaugh

XS650 Addict
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Location
Portland, OR
Hi all,
I have been reading a TON of threads over the last few weeks and decided to pull the trigger on a 1980 XS650. Amazing how much great info is on here! I got a great deal on the bike from Cycle Heap in Portland, OR
The PO sold the bike to them because he couldn’t get a spark. When I stared the tear down today, I seemed to have found the problem. There is a Boyer Bransden advance unit, but no red or blue box! Interestingly, the stock TCI ignition is there, but no stator pickup! The bike also has what I believe is a Mikes high output dual coil. I’ll verify that when I get a new multimeter (mine broke today!). Anywho, I guess it’s time to decide if I want to source the TCI pickup or the Bransden unit. Thoughts???
AE462C80-0C66-43A4-9C8A-7DE487F2A42C.jpeg

E86AF570-F428-4A97-8B14-86E30AFA18AA.jpeg
341C8FFD-3FED-4821-8B54-2B875357DE51.jpeg
 
B_Crabaugh said:
Hi all,
I have been reading a TON of threads over the last few weeks and decided to pull the trigger on a 1980 XS650. Amazing how much great info is on here! I got a great deal on the bike from Cycle Heap in Portland, OR
The PO sold the bike to them because he couldn’t get a spark. When I stared the tear down today, I seemed to have found the problem. There is a Boyer Bransden advance unit, but no red or blue box! Interestingly, the stock TCI ignition is there, but no stator pickup! The bike also has what I believe is a Mikes high output dual coil. I’ll verify that when I get a new multimeter (mine broke today!). Anywho, I guess it’s time to decide if I want to source the TCI pickup or the Bransden unit. Thoughts???
View attachment 132335
View attachment 132336View attachment 132337
Click to expand...

Hi B_Crabaugh and welcome.
That alternator looks like it's had a hard life, eh?
Check the dreaded PO didn't swap in the '79 or earlier alternator that didn't have the
ignition trigger pickups on the stator or the pickup trigger magnet on the rotor.
What I'd do is get the Boyer's missing parts and see if the bike will run once there's sparks.
Then you can see if the alternator will actually charge. If yes, good enough for now.
If no, check the list's want ads for a working late model rotor & stator to restore the stock ignition.
This leaves you with a complete Boyer ignition system as a standby or as a saleable asset.
Then, check the tires age stamps, swap the dork bars for bars with better ergonomics,
swap the front brake lever with one with half the piston area and do a test ride.
 
fredintoon said:
Hi B_Crabaugh and welcome.
That alternator looks like it's had a hard life, eh?
Check the dreaded PO didn't swap in the '79 or earlier alternator that didn't have the
ignition trigger pickups on the stator or the pickup trigger magnet on the rotor.
What I'd do is get the Boyer's missing parts and see if the bike will run once there's sparks.
Then you can see if the alternator will actually charge. If yes, good enough for now.
If no, check the list's want ads for a working late model rotor & stator to restore the stock ignition.
This leaves you with a complete Boyer ignition system as a standby or as a saleable asset.
Then, check the tires age stamps, swap the dork bars for bars with better ergonomics,
swap the front brake lever with one with half the piston area and do a test ride.
Click to expand...

Haha. It looks like the OG alternator. If I can find an affordable Boyer box, I will run that. If not, I'll get a TCI pickup. New tires have been ordered (Shinko 270's), probably adding reverse clubman bars, and swapping the MC for an 11mm TR250.
 
I run about 28 psi in front and 30psi in the rear. Too much will make the tire peak in the center and upon leaning the bike would create a very awkward feeling as if the bike would lean on its own. I got the tires mounted from a dealer ($25 per tire with rims off the bike) and the put way too much air in it.
 
I know. I have a brembo front caliper kit to frig around with and fab up a bracket to mount on the fork sometime. Got a few things to do on my other bike, changing all brake pads and lines to braided stainless.
 
Here is how the bike sits as of today. Got the carbs out (what a pain!), battery box, rear fender, seat, turn signals, etc.
35DC4B1F-BCCE-4F3E-A965-FE73D71BA23B.jpeg
Shall I start a separate build thread?
 
Sorry for the hijack...
Superjet said:
Nice!!! What's that rotor from? I like it.
Click to expand...
Ducati rotor, same bolt pattern & hub dia. "Bout a 13mm spacer, on a '77 spoked wheel, not sure what size spacer would be needed for a mag wheel. Still need to get wheel laced up to figure out how much I'm going to have to "clearance" off the back of caliper.
100_0211.JPG 100_0212.JPG
 

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