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Jerry2197

Jerry2197

XS650 Enthusiast
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New to the site.
I bought this bike back in 1995 to ride to highschool. I paid 50$ for it from a a guy down the street from me at the time. 50$ I could do. Cleaned it up and rode it to school.

The bike has been sitting for over 15 years at my dads house so I picked it up and slowly started to bring her back to life. I finally got it running this weekend.
I still need tires and a few other things.

The rear tire is a bit to small, Im searching for the (stock) size for the front and rear.



 

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Well, welcome, Jerry. Dang nice to see some "younger" folk into these older bikes. A lot of us older folks around here. ( When I say "older" I mean we'll never see the 60's again, and I got "kids" in their 50'S) But these guys know more s*hit than NASA! That's a good looking bike! There is a "Tech" section here that is hands down the best info I have found on these bikes. No question is a dumb question and don't get upset if you ask and someone says "You need to read over here..." I think some need to remember that there is 20 years of post here and the Search Function sometimes "no hablas" . "War and Peace" is shorter than this! I'm kinda new here myself but I think I can say there are some damn good people here. Did I say you gota a nice looking bike?
Thu
 
I was 17 when I got the bike. My dad told me you better not buy that dam bike.

Well I went and bought it the next day, once he saw how nice it was and heard it running , I was told I'm not alowed to sell it unless I sell it to him.
LOL
I plan on reading a TON and learning as much as I can to get the bike 100%
My Uncle Raced vintage motor cross BSA Triumph bulltacos huskys and gave us a few parts just before he lost EVERTHING in The California Wild fires up in Paradice CA.
I got the air cleaners and a few other parts from him. I did find MikesXS as a good source for parts.

First order of busniess is new tires as soon as I find out the stock sizes front and rear.
 
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Yep. Be careful of mikes. Do your research here abouts first. There pretty easy to work with but may take a few emails if you have a problem. Everybody has their on idea on tires. I just wanted to keep to the originals as best I could. I figure even if they look like 40 year old tires the processes and materials today are way better, so I still have a better tire and the looks I want.
Thu
 
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Your rear tire doesn't look too small. In fact, it may be a size above stock. Stock on the rear was a 4.00 back then, but inch size tires are hard to find today. Most of us use the metric equivalent which for a 4.00 would be a 110. Yours looks like a 120. On the front, the metric equivalent is a 100.

You may have difficulty getting the bike tuned perfectly with those pleated style pods. If you must run pods, the foam type work best. Sometimes 2-1 exhausts can be difficult to tune for as well. Most weren't designed for optimal performance but rather so they fit the bike. Pipe lengths and diameters can be off. A 2 into 2 system with big long mufflers works about the best.
 
The front tire is stock.
I did have the rear tire replaced in 97, I noticed the RPMs went up with the newer tire so Im thnking it was a little undersized. Its old and cracked now so it will be replaced.

I have only ran the bike up and down the driveway Full throttle in first and second gear and it feels fine and runs great,so I might be ok with these K&N's well see once I get new tires and can safely go through all the gears.

Here is a pic of the Rear tire.
 

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My rear on there now is 110/90-18
And the front says 3.50-19
 

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Welcome to the party, Jerry!
Whaaaaat???!!!! $50.00?! You stole it! It's gorgeous! :thumbsup: It's what "The Basketcase" (my avatar) looked like once upon a time (waaay before I bought it for $200.00, and three bottles of booze).
I can't agree more with 5Twins. Uni-pod air filters will provide better air flow into the carbs. And old tires are a disaster in waiting. You want to have the newest rubber (tires, tubes, and liners) you can get your hands on! They are the last thing between you and the road, and you'd hate yourself for trashing that beautiful bike! :yikes:
It would be a good idea for you to get a manual(s). These bikes are simple enough, but there's a lot to go wrong with a 40 year-old anything! The manuals break it up into assemblies, making everything easier to understand.
Again, welcome. Everybody here is great, and ready to lend all kinds of technical help. You could probably even find a stock seat! And thanks for sending pictures! We like lots of pictures ('cuz we're nosy! :wink2: ) Good luck, best regards, and keep us posted!
Tebo
 
One of the nicest factory paint Yamaha did.
And what is a thread without controversy? I have run those exact same pods on my '76 for three seasons without bad effects - smooth response at all rpm's. Bike has 17/36 gearing and 2 into 2 exhaust from a later Special.
 
Those two tires are actually a very good choice for a Standard.
Size, Price, and looks :geek: ,
Performance is reported to be great by other member as well.
 
If I have enough Ill order them.
I'll nee to get a center stand first. Mine is missing. Hard to take the tires off using the side kick stand.
 

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