It's past time to start XS2 Resurrection

It's time to take a break from the Hurricane project and spend some time on the rest of the herd. XS2 is first up. When I started this project my goal was to get it running again. Dependable daily driver kind of thing. I think I accomplished that. Made a 1700 smile trip with it. Trouble is it does not have the original motor in it. Also it needs a good cleaning. Much easier to do if apart. Last summer I went through the original motor. Split the cases, had the crack in the case welded, rebuilt the top end and cleaned it up. Time to put her in and get it running. Plus there's a few other thing I want to do to. My good friend and riding buddy thinks I'm crazy to take out a perfectly good running engine and replace it with one that's basically the same. It makes sense to me. I want my original engine to run again. Plus I'll have a proven spare. ( I have the matching numbers frame with title for it. Future project?)
I have a week before I have to go to work for a week so I'll see what I can get done to her.

Before
upload_2020-2-14_15-23-10.png
Now
upload_2020-2-14_15-15-14.png

Bike as I came into shop this morning.
upload_2020-2-14_15-27-43.png

Now
upload_2020-2-14_15-28-42.png
upload_2020-2-14_15-29-46.png
upload_2020-2-14_15-30-47.png
 
Future project?
Maybe save that matching numbers frame, and put that motor in a scratch-built 60's style wild-assed raked-out goose-necked bad-boy chopper? :rock: Something radically sick and dangerous-looking. I have a parts bike with no title. If (big "if" in NY State of confusion) I can get a legit title for it, I'll transplant the neck onto such a frame. Maybe even try to replicate an "Amen Savior"-style rear. If I get that far, I might attempt to fabricate a springer front end, ala Sugar Bear. I used to peruse "Xs650Chopper.com" often, but only ever saw a couple of bikes set up like that. There might be a reason for that... Suffice to say, the odds of running into another Xs exactly like yours are pretty slim...
 
I’m lovin that motor puller!
Not just a motor puller, also a motor put-er. By this time next week it should be put to that test.:thumbsup:
scratch-built 60's style wild-assed raked-out goose-necked bad-boy chopper? :rock: Something radically sick and dangerous-looking.
Sorry no. I liked Easy Rider as much as the next guy. To me only Harleys make good choppers. Not sure what venue it will be. What I do know it will not involve a sawsall on a early frame.
 
Well come on now......open it up! We want to see!

I opened it. Not my best day. Thought I was being careful but I guess I wasn't. If this is the worst mistake I make this year it will be a OK year. New one ordered.

upload_2020-2-18_17-49-46.png


My original cover is in good shape. Sewn edged with a whatever running through it. Any reason not to reuse it? It's in good shape. Not as nice as a new one would look, but a new cover would stand out compared to the rest of the bike.
upload_2020-2-18_17-54-23.png
 
Grand Cooley Damn! That so totally blows after the long wait (not to mention the expense...). FWIW,
41wk9ewyYiL.jpg bandage scissors (yeah, I know, a little late now) will cut without damaging whatever's underneath. They're available in lots of places. I think I got mine from a gadget hawker at a gun show. Once you put them in the tool box, you find new things to use 'em for. :twocents:
 
The original engine lives and breaths again! :cool:
Fired it up this morning. Started without too much trouble. This is the original engine with the original carbs. Rebuilt both/all last summer. Didn't sound so good at first. Timing was late. Got that adjusted and it sounded better. At idle left cylinder not doing much. Air screw made almost no difference, whether screwed in and bottomed out or out 1 1/2 turns out. I haven't put the airboxes on yet. If I put 3 fingers in front of the carb and forced it to run rich the cylinder would pick up. Pulled left carb back off and cleaned/checked all the passages. Everything seemed good. Also rechecked valve lash. I had put elephant foot adjusters in it . They seem strange to set compared to OEM. They would check tight and then if I rolled the engine over a few times they were looser. My guess is oil between the ball and foot causing this. Anyway set the valves, cleaned the carb and started it up. Sounds much better. Checking header temps still show left cylinder doing less than right at idle. I think it's good enough to put air boxes on and test ride. Need to test ride to see how clutch and trans are working. I had to split the cases in order to have the cracks welded. Also replaced the shifter shaft as the original was bent. So I have concerns about the transmission.
Good news is supposed to be in upper 40s tomorrow and 50 on Sunday. Warm enough for a test ride.:thumbsup::rock:
 
All back together and off the lift. Damn those airboxes are fun to put on. Waiting on weather to test ride. Supposed to get to mid 40s today. Taking it's time only mid 30s now.
upload_2020-2-22_11-30-31.png

Seat pan cleaned up. Going to paint it later this afternoon and let dry overnight. Glue foam on tomorrow, let it set overnight and put cover on Monday. Not to confuse anyone. The seat on the bike now is the original, the one getting new foam is from a parts bike I had bought.
upload_2020-2-22_11-36-3.png

I do have a question. My cover has a plastic cover sewn on the inside. It's mostly gone. Is it important?
upload_2020-2-22_11-48-26.png

I have some 1/16th inch rubber sheet. I was thinking of cutting it to shape and either gluing it either to the inside of the cover or gluing it onto the foam. Good idea, bad idea or put the cover back on the way it is? Only thing I know about seats is you sit on them and they get uncomfortable after a while.
upload_2020-2-22_11-50-49.png
 
Back
Top