What have you done to your XS today?

macksXS · May 9, 2020

New to the XS family. These forums have been an amazing resource, so thank you for sharing all your knowledge!

Today, I just completed my first top end tear down on my "new to me" 1980 XS650 and everything looks pretty good. This is my first attempt and there are several things I am encountering for the first time and I wanted to share some photos. I started a thread (http://www.xs650.com/threads/first-top-end-teardown.57337/)

Figured someone who doesn't really know what they're doing but too afraid to post might benefit from a bloke like me!

Would appreciate any input/insight!

lakeview · May 9, 2020

Nice Surprise
A clean bit in an otherwise dirty set of carbs.
Just completed this set this afternoon, that was the before shot. The wind is still blowing so it was good to be in the basement. The polar vortex seems to have passed us by.

TwoManyXS1Bs · May 9, 2020

macksXS said:
...Would appreciate any input/insight!

Have a look here, starting at post #80.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/an-introduction-and-question.55658/page-4#post-622911

And, this one...
http://www.xs650.com/threads/refinishing-rocker-arm-faces.55899/

2XSive · May 9, 2020

macksXS said:
Would appreciate any input/insight!

If it were mine and was that far into it, I'd definitely remove the valves to replace the seals, measure valve guides for tolerance, measure the springs and then resurface the valve seats. While apart, make sure the head surface is flat (no warpage). I'm sure other people with greater expertise than I will weigh in.

tzimmerm · May 9, 2020

Tiesco said:
I put the gaiters on today and I knew it was a good choice. They make the bike look beefier.
View attachment 166566
I do not fancy a pesticide sprayer as a backdrop. Nor do I fancy working in close proximity to them but the shop is stuffed full of sprayers on account of the cold weather.
View attachment 166577

Before I put them on I put a little oil on the forks to prevent oxidation, should any water get underneath the covers. I may have to cut a notch off the gaiters in the future

Okay, these have been on my to do list for a while now, but after looking at yours I need to get it done. Care to pass that magic part # my way?
Today I swapped back to my buckhorns. I forgot how comfortable they are, and they just look so classic and old school. I just got home from a cruise here in town. The local radio station started a huge cruise down 1st ave here in CR as a kind of quarantine relief for the community. Every single cool vehicle in town was creeping down the road. People were liked in small parking lots and sitting in chairs to watch. It was basically a giant car show parade. I saw lots of awesome cars and bikes, and got plenty of compliments from folks in other cars and spectators on the street. It’s been a good day.

Tiesco · May 9, 2020

tzimmerm said:
Okay, these have been on my to do list for a while now, but after looking at yours I need to get it done. Care to pass that magic part # my way?
Today I swapped back to my buckhorns. I forgot how comfortable they are, and they just look so classic and old school. I just got home from a cruise here in town. The local radio station started a huge cruise down 1st ave here in CR as a kind of quarantine relief for the community. Every single cool vehicle in town was creeping down the road. People were liked in small parking lots and sitting in chairs to watch. It was basically a giant car show parade. I saw lots of awesome cars and bikes, and got plenty of compliments from folks in other cars and spectators on the street. It’s been a good day.

They require some slight modification. Here's the link for the gaiters.

https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-Universal-Therapy-KU20002BK-America/dp/B004IARRWW

Here are 5t's instructions. Post #81

http://www.xs650.com/threads/power-to-the-coil.50273/page-5#post-522273

Tiesco · May 9, 2020

A month ago I ordered a brakeline and today it finally came. Now I finally have a front brake which has been on my to-do list since I bought the bike in December. It might require a junction block at the MC in order to allow the fitting at the line rest at an angle it likes because it doesn't like being bent 90 degrees and it makes the line tight. Something like this would work perfectly. I think I'll see if my local hydraulics shop has anything of the sorts when I decide to get some o-rings from them.

tzimmerm · May 9, 2020

Tiesco said:
They require some slight modification. Here's the link for the gaiters.

https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-Universal-Therapy-KU20002BK-America/dp/B004IARRWW

Here are 5t's instructions. Post #81

http://www.xs650.com/threads/power-to-the-coil.50273/page-5#post-522273

Thank you! I have read that post before but am glad I don’t have to go digging for it again! Just ordered some!

Tiesco · May 9, 2020

tzimmerm said:
Thank you! I have read that post before but am glad I don’t have to go digging for it again! Just ordered some!

Id recommend using a short, sharp pair of scissors to cut the boot instead of anything like a razor or knife. It's just easier to control.

Rasputin · May 10, 2020

Trying to beat the lockdown boredom. Made a new nut and washer, cleaned the wheel, took the letters off the bolt heads. Mad.

Mailman · May 10, 2020

Rasputin said:
Trying to beat the lockdown boredom. Made a new nut and washer, cleaned the wheel, took the letters off the bolt heads. Mad.

Dang man! That looks like jewelry! Beautiful!

willis · May 10, 2020

Norton7d · May 10, 2020

This is no fair, making your own castle nuts!

Tiesco · May 10, 2020

I have noticed that there is no where for a brake switch or a mirror to mount on the MC. Could this be an indicator that its an aftermarket MC or were the 77s equipped with a very basic MC?

member28833 · May 10, 2020

77 standards had these..

Tiesco · May 10, 2020

Machine said:
77 standards had these..
View attachment 166692

Thanks for this pic. I can say that mine is definitely aftermarket.

5twins · May 10, 2020

Tiesco, I've found 8 bellows on the fork gaiters to work and fit well .....

I noticed you started with 10, then cut it down to 9. With the bike off the centerstand and the forks compressed a little, I think you'll see removing another bellow could be called for. On my '78, after I added a fork brace, I had to remove one more so now that set is down to 7 bellows .....

arcticXS · May 10, 2020

I definitely cannot compete with Rasputin, but I polished my fork legs and alloy front fender, using Autosol, rags and some small ratchet strap offcuts. Looks better, but not perfect.
Then I removed and polished my Brembo caliper adapter, and also made a simple "beauty ring" for the unused LH disc mount. Just 2 mm alloy sheet, turned, beveled, drilled and quickly buffed with white Scotchbrite.

ThatXS650Guy · May 10, 2020

5twins said:
Tiesco, I've found 8 bellows on the fork gaiters to work and fit well .....
I noticed you started with 10, then cut it down to 9. With the bike off the centerstand and the forks compressed a little, I think you'll see removing another bellow could be called for. On my '78, after I added a fork brace, I had to remove one more so now that set is down to 7 bellows .....

I've gone thru a few sets of these. I found the ones from 650 Central to be the best. Some of the generic ones have more rounded creases rather than sharp and just don't look the part. Oh, and I have 11 bellows on mine with a 1" drop and cut down Harley springs.

Paul Sutton · May 10, 2020

Have truck gaiters gone out of fashion for the XS650?

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