What have you done to your XS today?

How often does that happen on an XS? I have holed a lot of RD350 pistons, and a few other 2 stroke pistons, but never on 4 stroke engines.

Holing a piston is not common as far as I am aware, but it can happen if you get the timing and mixture wrong.

Burning a valve can also occur if the valve clearances are set too small. The rule I was taught as a kid was: a noisy valve [within reasonable limits] is a happy valve.

Pete
 
Cleaned a few more tabs off, started making a box to house the tci and m-unit just behind the upper shock mount is a nice hidden place and just right size. Plan on getting some of the wiring in the frame, if anyone can point me to a linky to someone who’s already done it I’d be grateful. Cuts the old crossmember out and started the new ones.

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Then went for a spirited ride to celebrate my good work today.

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Hi 'dude, Pete,
Blew carb cleaner thru every jet, gallery and passage in the carbs, reassembled and installed them.
Rigged up a pony tank off a moped, let the carbs fill with gas and pushed the starter button.
Assuming Pete was right about a dead plug installing 2 new ones was all the bike needed
and the carb cleaning wasn't needed but WTF, they were off already, eh?
A question though, I'm still running the original coil and there ain't no big fat blue spark no more,
just a pale pathetic little white one that's hardly visible in daylight.
Anyone recommend an upgrade?
 
If you want to upgrade your ignition I would suggest going electronic. IMHO Boyer is the best you could do right now. If you want to use what you have get out your multi-meter and check your components and see if you can find your problem. Plug wires and caps come to mind.
 
I don’t have any experience with any other electronic ignitions, but I have to recommend Pamco. I have been running his e-advance ignition a little over a year now, and it is very easy to install and use. A lot of forum members swear by them, and Pete (The owner/manufacturer) is an active member of our forum. You won’t get his level of customer service, or the wealth of information on your ignition with any other brand. Plus, the pamco is a pretty simple and robust system, as well as versatile- You can run different setups, like battery less, different coils, etc. I have heard the Boyer is less durable and is also limited in application. In short- Pamco, hands down.
 
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I don’t have any experience with any other electronic ignitions, but I have to recommend Pamco. I have been running his e-advance ignition a little over a year now, and it is very easy to install and use. A lot of forum members swear by them, and Pete (The owner/manufacturer) is an active member of our forum. You won’t get his level of customer service, or the wealth of information on your ignition with any other brand. Plus, the pamco is a pretty simple and robust system, as well as versatile- You can run different setups, like battery less, different coils, etc. I have heard the Boyer is less durable and is also limited in application. In short- Pamco, hands down.

Pamco is gone--out of business--bye-bye
 
Wheels stuff at a local Ptld OR shop
Chillin amongst Yamahas !
 

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Pete abruptly closed up and announced his retirement several months ago. I wish I had known, I would have bought a new unit for the ‘78E.

FRED: I just ordered a Honda MP08 dual output coil on eBay - $14.50 USD.

Apparently they work great with the TCI ignition and they’re even smaller than the stock XS650 units. I checked and the MP08 is used on a huge list of multicylinder Hondas from the ‘70s right through 2013.
 
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Makes Green!
My list was getting lots of ticks till I went to plumb the carbs. Normally when I clean a set I install the blue translucent type and set them off to the side until needed. The set of 78 - 79's I installed had nothing on them and trying to get the blue lines on with the air boxes in the way was a no go.
My 76 rider needed exercise so off the the lawn mower store to get some nice supple tyvec.
Took the long way home so did another hours work.
When you are making a list of things left to do instead of doing, call it a day.
 
Keep this in your memory file guys. It is critical you keep the lever tight on the shaft, if it won't tighten before the gap closes, do what fishnchips shows and widen the slot! Hint; a mini cutoff wheel in a dremel is perfect for this job.
 
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