1975 XS650 First Startup and Walk around

Mich75XS650

Michigan Blue Jacket
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Hello all,
Been a member for awhile but this is my first post.
Just finished a year long of an, on again, off again project.
Bought the bike as ... "It ran when I parked it a few years ago"
Can't believe I got it running with a bit of time, but not a lot of $$$
I had a video of it running but unable to upload ?
Hope you all enjoy.
 

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Congrats Jeckles - and welcome, from Canada’s sunny southern coast in Windsor, Ontario!

Your bike looks really sharp - nice work!

Pete
 
Sweet! More info please! More pics!
 
Thank you ... Heres a couple more pics.
I did the paint myself ... using rattle cans if you can believe it ! But been doing it that way for years.
Get my paint at Painters Supply and use their 2 part Clear with hardener ... in a can.
Used a lace overlay before spraying the black ... old school 70's trick.
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Any idea on how to upload the .MOV file ?
I imagine I need to cut it down in size to meet the 14 MB limit ?
 
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I should note the tank is from a 1980
First image is how I got it. Paid $650 for it with a title
Second is before paint and denting in the knee knockers, with 80's tank and side covers
Third is stock tank after paint before stock decals put on.
Mufflers are from ??? ... got for $10 at a local flea market.
 

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Jeckles,
I like what you’ve done here! What year is the bike? I see an early front end and fender. I like the knee indents , you’ve given the tank a Triumph vibe. I’m also digging the paint, I can remember seeing those lace panels on guys hot rods back in the 60’s and 70’s.
Well done. Oh and welcome to the forum! :thumbsup:
 
Hi Mailman,
Thanks for the compliments.
The bike is titled as a 1975, I think most everything is still correct, but its hard to say since I'm no expert.
I had to buy a used battery box and air-boxes. I made my own filters since new ones are like $80 !
The guy I bought it from had an additional 1980 tank to go with and thats the one I dented in and is painted purple, along with the side covers.
Thanks for picking up on the Triumph vibe ! I had '69 and '78 Bonneviles but got rid of them after I couldn't keep them running !
I sourced a set of additional side covers so I have an original tank and side covers as well, picture attached
I need to get or rebuild the petcocks for that tank and set it on and take some pics.
I'm not a great mechanic, more of a tinkerer, after sorting out the wiring, getting a new Headlight assembly and dog ears, cleaned the carbs (twice)
And ensuring the oil was good, she started right up after a few kicks.
I wouldn't say she runs great, I probably will need to have the head re-done and new rings and pistons.
It smokes a little on start up but after warming up seems to smoke less and idle pretty well.
My next project is to try and remove tires and rims and re-spoke ... I've watched a few videos and think I want to try !
 

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"I wouldn't say she runs great, I probably will need to have the head re-done and new rings and pistons.
It smokes a little on start up but after warming up seems to smoke less and idle pretty well."

You mat get lucky and it will stop smoking after the rings have a chance to break free and re-seat.
I really like your rattle can paint job! I did the same on mine but I wish I would have known about the
clearcoat with hardener. Finished mine a little over 1 1/2 years ago and the paint has not held up to my
liking. Here's my engine before and after.
81 XS650SH Before:After.png
 
Hi Tim,
Thanks, good idea, I'll run it and ride it awhile to see if rings seat in a bit.
Your engine looks great, I like the black scheme with fins left metal.
Did you polish your side covers ? I'm looking to try doing that myself.
 
I did polish them some, nothing too extreme but they were so crusty from sitting
outside for 30 years I couldn't stand to look at them. I used steel wool and metal
cleaner for the worst of it. After that just a lot more elbow grease rubbing in more
metal polish with a rag them buffing it off.
 
Bike has turned out really nice - testament to your hard work. Impressed by the diy paint job!

Sometimes when a bike smokes on start-up, it's not the rings, its the valve-guides. Maybe even new valve-guide oil seals will fix?
 
Hi Jax,
Yes, the tires are very old and on the list of things to replace. Too bad they don't make them anymore, I kind of like the raised white letters !
I wanted to see if I could even get it running before investing in tires.
I want to remove the tires and polish rims and re-spoke eventually, I've watched a few videos of guys who've re-spoked their own rims and think I want to try !
Thanks for the compliment.
 
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