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Heritage Custom Build Thread
- Thread starter Steve C
- Start date
Steve C
XS650 Addict
"One thing I noticed Steve in one of your pics above is the bend in your clutch cable upon entry into the side cover. That could potentially cause you some not so smooth clutch pull. JC"
That is the stock cable fitting on the cable that came with bike that was in good usable shape.
I've see referance to the Motion Pro cable in several posts. Does that cable do away with that metal fitting and let you loop the cable back a bit more?
That is the stock cable fitting on the cable that came with bike that was in good usable shape.
I've see referance to the Motion Pro cable in several posts. Does that cable do away with that metal fitting and let you loop the cable back a bit more?
Steve C
XS650 Addict
yep, kicks through just fine. Mines an '83 and there are different part numbers for early and late exhaust kits from Delkevic.Does your kicker clear the pipes?
Mine didn't had to go to a different kicker.
Mine has a nice up sweep to it to the point where the bottom of the silencer actually shades the rear axle. Was going to swap the axle around so it comes out the left side but ran into issues with one of the chain adjusters only being marked for chain adjustment on one side when you swap them side for side. This is on my fine tuning punch list.
Tinkerer's dream right?
Steve C
XS650 Addict
Cool, I'll know who to turn to if I have trouble!
Maybe it is just the angle of the pic or placement of the line on the outside of the carbs. I have mine running between the carbs that crosses from the right side of the bike. Only way to find out is to try it! Get it nice and lubed up (been using 10w30 oil as suggested on here) works A1! 
Steve C
XS650 Addict
Here’s some updates on progress:
Got the bike all wired up. Was able to reduce the 2 big harness trunks into the headlight down to 1. Cut out all the extraneous safety stuff, res light relay, signal cancellation, side stand, wiring and so on. Basically tore the harness completely apart and rebuilt from scratch circuit by circuit. Hands down, the best way to get to know the electrics and what everything does! Ziplock bag is what got cut out of harness. Every connection was tinned for crimp connectors or Western Unioned with shrink tube. Great soldering practice! #4 welding cable used for main +/- battery cables. Used a nifty LED turn signal relay to run the rear flashers. Perfect speed.
Used a 12 volt classic automotive style start relay instead of the little bugger that hides on the battery box. Always liked the way these looked anyway. I think I’m going to leave it without side covers. My overall philosophy is “no escutcheons, nothing to hide!” Wired in a couple switch legs as well. One cuts out the start relay. Sort of a manual starter safety relay. The other one I can flip and shut the key off, no lights or accessory power and the engine will still run. Dark mode! Done about 100 miles on it now. Riding impressions and what’s next coming later.
Very pleased that all the remaining electrical seems to work as planned and the Vape PMA tickles the battery just right.
Got the bike all wired up. Was able to reduce the 2 big harness trunks into the headlight down to 1. Cut out all the extraneous safety stuff, res light relay, signal cancellation, side stand, wiring and so on. Basically tore the harness completely apart and rebuilt from scratch circuit by circuit. Hands down, the best way to get to know the electrics and what everything does! Ziplock bag is what got cut out of harness. Every connection was tinned for crimp connectors or Western Unioned with shrink tube. Great soldering practice! #4 welding cable used for main +/- battery cables. Used a nifty LED turn signal relay to run the rear flashers. Perfect speed.
Used a 12 volt classic automotive style start relay instead of the little bugger that hides on the battery box. Always liked the way these looked anyway. I think I’m going to leave it without side covers. My overall philosophy is “no escutcheons, nothing to hide!” Wired in a couple switch legs as well. One cuts out the start relay. Sort of a manual starter safety relay. The other one I can flip and shut the key off, no lights or accessory power and the engine will still run. Dark mode! Done about 100 miles on it now. Riding impressions and what’s next coming later.
Very pleased that all the remaining electrical seems to work as planned and the Vape PMA tickles the battery just right.
Steve C
XS650 Addict
Putting some break in miles on!
Running very nice. Sadly, my base gasket is leaking. I put about 30 miles on with break in oil and changed it out. Retorqued the head and still have a little weeping from base gasket. The Hagons are really nice. Clutch slips if I give it the beans in 4th or 5th. Will need to address that. Exhaust sounds amazing! Ended up putting the baffle (robot dildo in post 37) back in and sounds just right.
I’m totally in love with riding it.
The mikes flat slides have actually been very well behaved. Ended up with the 110 mains and plugs look good pulls smooth and strong until the clutch breaks loose!
Can anyone confirm, the mixture screw (which is behind slide) is an air screw or is it controlling fuel? Got a slight rich stumble picking up revs right off idle when taking off from a stop.
What kind of miles should I rack before first oil change (after break in oil)?
next, I have a set of aluminum wheels (thanks Machine) to get v blasted and good brake rotor & pads. New clutch and one piece push rod. And want to do a 520 chain with 17/32 sprockets.
Thanks all!
Running very nice. Sadly, my base gasket is leaking. I put about 30 miles on with break in oil and changed it out. Retorqued the head and still have a little weeping from base gasket. The Hagons are really nice. Clutch slips if I give it the beans in 4th or 5th. Will need to address that. Exhaust sounds amazing! Ended up putting the baffle (robot dildo in post 37) back in and sounds just right.
I’m totally in love with riding it.
The mikes flat slides have actually been very well behaved. Ended up with the 110 mains and plugs look good pulls smooth and strong until the clutch breaks loose!
Can anyone confirm, the mixture screw (which is behind slide) is an air screw or is it controlling fuel? Got a slight rich stumble picking up revs right off idle when taking off from a stop.
What kind of miles should I rack before first oil change (after break in oil)?
next, I have a set of aluminum wheels (thanks Machine) to get v blasted and good brake rotor & pads. New clutch and one piece push rod. And want to do a 520 chain with 17/32 sprockets.
Thanks all!
Rowdy looking engine you have there Steve 
Hope to see that bike around sometime.
Hope to see that bike around sometime.
That’s a great looking bike and you have done some very tidy work! Well done!
Steve C
XS650 Addict
Any opinions on first oil change? Couple hundred miles?
