Picking up XS tomorrow

J

Jamesbaa

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Hi guys, So i was planning on going down the fully custom frame route using a XS650 engine but have decided on going for a complete bike that I can hardtail.

Im new to these bikes, I've had a Zx6 and KTM 690smc in the past. This is going to be a completely need kettle of fish for me.

What should I look out for when viewing the bike? The guy has listed the bike as having a new headlight and brackets, led indicators,new battery, new rear whitewall tyre, koni rear shocks, harley sportster seat. Hes taking the Koni shocks off as I managed to get some money off the bike.

I've attached some pictures
 

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Looks like a nice clean mostly mechanically stock XS650. How many miles are on it ? Does it run quiet ? One area to perhaps at least ask about is the cam chain tensioner adjuster ? If a previous owner over tightened the cam chain improperly, then the cam chain guides fail prematurely. I would recommend getting familiar with that adjustment and turning over the engine by hand listening to everything carefully
-RT
 
Its listed as having 24500 miles, I've asked him if it starts and idles ok. He said it starts well on the key and kick. He said he thinks the jets need cleaning out.
 
Well, honestly 24,500 miles is higher than I look for because I do not have the accommodations or time to go thru an engine. Not saying that is too high mileage. Just high enough to be wary and look for any signs of abuse. I did briefly own 77 which ran fine at 30,000 miles but it was absolutely stock and was leaking and getting just a little tired as evidenced by exhaust smoke..
 
Thank you for the advice, I'm in the UK and the XS's seem pretty hard to come by especially not for a ridiculous price.

I'm under the impression the engines can be quite easily rebuilt?
 
"New battery" is seller speak for charging system doesn't work. Just saying.
 
I've looked on the forum and it seems like the charging system can be a bit of a weak point in general for the bikes.
 
This is true. And it is obvious that the XS you are looking over has aftermarket coil leads and probably coils and you need to ask about other electrical mods such as the charging system.
 
Carbs don't look right. They look like BS34's.... but not from an XS. At least my 34's feed fuel from a tee between the carbs. Yours have separate feeds on the outside. Not a deal breaker obviously, but you need to find out what they're off of in case you need parts.
Also, 80 and newer Specials had a single petcock on the left side. At least the US models did. Yours on both sides means the tanks been replaced. Engine looks nice and clean.... so that's a plus.
Looks like a good candidate for a custom build. Good luck.

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I thought the rear drum mag was only seen on the '81 model. Don't know where I got that titbit - may have dreamt it. Bike looks great on the outside and I've got more than 25,000 miles on me and I still start and run, well, actually I walk. Maybe Randy is right?
 
Being from Europe the models are different from the US...........US Custom model, (European Specials), were sold up to 82 or 83 if some models were left on the showroom floor............accounts for the drum mag
On the carbs Yamaha did rout the fuel lines to the outside of the carbs, ( instead of down the middle into a T that fed both carbs), especially the Japanese models and may be they did on some Euro models as well ........They did that on the Standard Tanks from the Standard models that had twin petcocks........Also it is easy to reroute the fuel lines to the outside of the carbs.............. to do a search 3G5 and look for threads from member ozboy.

Comon you US guys this has been talked about and posted many times .............do some bookmarking and look from where new members are
 

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