Congrats, sounds like the motor has worked out well. I would suggest another head bolt torque check if you haven't checked them in a while. Usually you need a couple checks in the first 1000 miles or so. Torques should begin to stabilize and hold by then.
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My first 1000 miles!
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Thanks Pete! You ought to be getting some miles on your engine rebuild by now too, I know you ride longer distances than I do.
Thanks 5T! Yeah I just did a re torque a few weeks ago, along with all the tune up rituals.
Yup, I think I’m up to around 4500 miles since the rebuild. Lakeview and I did more than 600 miles on our VYR / Barber Museum junket alone. In fact, I think I’ve put nearly 12,000 miles on Lucille since she came back to life in 2016. Pretty good for a cranky old bag.
Pete
Not bad for Lucille either!
Congrats Mailman on the mileage. I am getting close to the 1000 miles with my build and have gone thru an engine for the first time. Good feeling for sure. JC
Wow Mailman that is awesome..very rewarding too i imagine...
Not bad for Lucille either!
In my ignorance I usually take my rebuilds up and down the local bypass, “ not too far to push home”. After about 100mls I stop worrying and figure all’s OK. Congrats on your milestone.One year ago today, this is what my bike looked like. I was working on the frame, trying to get it ready for powder coat, the motor was built and resting on my work bench, and everything else was in containers.
View attachment 151919 View attachment 151921
By May 1st, it was together and on the road for the first time in over 30 years. Soon after that our Arizona heat settled in on us and I don’t ride much when it’s so blistering hot. But here and there I would catch a break and get both of my bikes out. Today I hit a milestone, my first 1000 miles on both my bike and my rebuilt motor. Here’s my ODO just rolling over, I stopped my bike to capture the moment for posterity!
View attachment 151922 View attachment 151923
I know 1000 miles is nothing in the big scheme of things, but for me, this being my first engine build and all, I had set in my mind that this would be the amount of miles necessary for me to believe that I had done things right. In that first 1000 miles, the only problems I have had that is engine related was nailing down a pesky , serious oil leak from my drive shaft seal. Other than that, I resolved a problem with my gas tank paint job vs leaky petcock, and had to rebuild my tachometer, and the usual carburetor fettling.
All in all, I’m very happy with how things have gone!
Let me preface this by saying, this is the first compression tester I have ever owned or used, and I have only used it once before, when checking this bike right after I got it assembled. Some of my readings , or lack there of , could be attributed to my technique ( or lack there of
) .The first time I tested my compression before putting any miles on, carburetors off the engine.
Left side 135
Right side 145
I knew those numbers weren’t promising, but I was hopeful that after the new rings seated, I would get better numbers.
Taken today. Air boxes in place, filters still in, just holding the throttle open.
Left 130
Right 130.
Yikes! Removed air filters, propped open the slides, held throttle wide open.
Left 145
Right 150
All readings taken with plugs removed , using the kick starter only ( and remembering why I sold my old Triumph Bonneville )
I wish the numbers were higher, frankly I’m unsure why they’re not. But the bike starts and runs well and I guess I’m just gonna have to be happy with that.
Doing a little more inspection, I wanted to see how all of my seals were holding up. I pulled the cover and it was clean underneath , just a little oil slung off the chain. My home made cereal box gasket holding up nicely!
I replaced every seal under here, the drive shaft seal, twice! None are leaking.
No oil showing underneath the stator housing, so my crankshaft seal is still tight.
The only leak I’ve got today is coming from my neutral switch. Whatever seals this thing is breaking down and drooling a little. I’ve already wiped it off here, can anyone tell me , if I pull this switch, are there any surprises I should be aware of, anything to fall out? I’d like to replace that sealing washer.
So that’s it for now, I still need to do an oil change, but another day.
Bob
Those numbers are not bad at all. The five pound difference could be technique or the gauge. I would not worry about it.
Neutral switch just unscrews. No surprises.
I would agree those numbers look good. Just for grins try it with the starter. Did I mention my best numbers take a rather special knack at the kicker? Numbers probably stop raising after about 7-8 kicks. The 70 showed 141, 148.
And yes pressure gauges are notoriously inaccurate. What does the 76 show?
And yes pressure gauges are notoriously inaccurate. What does the 76 show?
I just realized I mis stated above, I said I never used a compression tester on any other vehicle. I forgot I used it on my ‘77 back in June when I did my makeover on it. The excerpt below is from that thread.
“it seemed like a good time to do a compression test. I have never done one on this bike since I’ve had it, it always ran so good and I did not have a compression tester until recently. I’ll admit, I wasn’t really sure I wanted to know, I didn’t relish the thought of rebuilding this motor. The results?
150 lbs on the left cylinder and
160 lbs on the right cylinder
I’ll take it! For its age and having almost 27,000 miles on it, I think that’s pretty good!
“My star pupil! Ive done a lot of work on that bike, but never opened up the engine.
What? You didn't see that one coming?...
Hey, Bob. Here's this morning's reading.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/neutral-switch-leaking-oil.11067/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/neutral-light-switch.36282/
Post #120.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/digital-gear-indicator-for-the-xs650.47952/page-6#post-495143
Did you change out the summer air in your tires, to winter air?
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1000 miles Bob! I remember when you bought her. Now she looks exceptional and, with a grand under her belt, obviously she runs as good as she looks. Once again, attention to detail, patience, a lot of hard work and a good deal of ingenuity have put you on top. I agree with Jim and offer "salaam" to a guru of the XS dream.
Now, you have the '77 and the XS2. The next obvious purchase is a '78 Special to complete your assortment of 650's. I'd love to follow as you put one of those back in shape!
Cheers
Now, you have the '77 and the XS2. The next obvious purchase is a '78 Special to complete your assortment of 650's. I'd love to follow as you put one of those back in shape!
Cheers
1,000 miles, It's about due for an extended Italian tuneup.... 
