71 xs1b barn find

I know it's going to be a big and long job, I do have a few people that can help me with alot of it i just want to make sure to take my time and do my research so that I dont make anything worse. I have alot of time and I like working on cars "never restored anything just making beaters last " anyway Its 3000 cc for the oil I will get a number off motor when I get home. The kick lever moves a 1/4 of the way down gets stuck and comes back up. Tried crankshaft bolt it BARELY moves but it moves I appreciate the help guys
 
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COOL! I am not an expert on production numbers (c'mon on down Skull!) but AFAIK, the 3000cc marking indicates that it is indeed a very early production engine and likely the engine number matches the frame.

The fact that the kicker moves is good - sorting it out if it is locked can certainly be done, but it is a PITA. The fact that the alternator nut turns...a little ...is excellent. Just keep putting lubricants down the spark plug holes and gently working that nut back and forth. You don't want to bust anything, just persuade it to wake up. I would keep trying the Fred Flintstone shuffle on the garage floor (forwards and backwards) - that usually works well.

My guess is that there is a bunch of old engine oil and fuel in the cylinders and it has turned to a sticky goo over the years. Anyhow, I suspect that pretty soon, you'll have a free engine there - but as Gary said - DON'T try to start it just yet. Just leave the plugs out until you have checked all four valves (under the oddly shaped chrome covers on the cylinder head) - and made sure that everything really IS moving.

NEXT STEPS:
  1. have a look in the fuel tank and see if it is rusty if it is, it can be cleaned and re-sealed as long as the rust isn't too bad.
  2. drain whatever is in the engine and replace it with fresh clean 10W40 oil - but do not use anything marked "Energy Conserving".
NOTE: there are 2 engine oil drain plugs on the XS650. These are big-headed bolts on the bottom of the engine (there are lots of nuts and bolts under there but nothing approaching the size of the drain plugs). One drain plug is more or less under the crank shaft in the middle of a rectangular plate that is held on by six smaller bolts. This is the sump plate - about which more later - and the other drain plug is further back under the transmission - but it looks exactly the same (and in fact, it is exactly the same) as the front one.

These oil drain bolts can be very tight so be sure that the bike secured or a buddy is holding it before you try reefing on them. It would be tragic if that valuable old bike fell over on you - and it got damaged in the process. ;)

I would rate your thread as:
:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

Cheers,

Pete
 
You live quite close to Gary Hoos of Hoos racing, Davenport Iowa. A certified XS650 engine expert.
Great job so far. We're rooting for you.
Wut Pete sez.. wel mebbie 20-50 oil stead of 10-40..... LOL
He's got a good point, typical for gas to slowly leak out of tank through carbs into cylinders it slowly evaps and leaves nasty varnish behind. sticking pistons to cylinders.
Don't forget heat is your friend also, Sunshine, hot garage, hair dryer, heat gun! mebbie remove the gas tank afore starting in with the big gunz of heat. Get some leather conditioner on that seat farm stores have beeswax based saddle dressing it works great for vinyl seats really swab it on, repeat daily til the vinyl stops drinking it.
 
Just remember that at the end of time, after the nuclear holocaust, only three things will survive:
  1. Cockroaches
  2. Rolling Stone musician Keith Richards
  3. Yamaha XS650s
"after the nuclear holocaust, only three things will survive:
  1. Cockroaches
  2. Rolling Stone musician Keith Richards
  3. Yamaha XS650s"

    We really should have that on a tee shirt!
 
Yes! Good for you. I've yet to find an early XS that nice. I've had motors, frames, but not a whole motorcycle. Got my attention. I don't know how you feel about this project. What I would do, take your time, polish every part, massage this back into running condition. Yes those bars....86 those effers. I think the old Triumph Bonneville bars would look nice and handle nice. The chrome dirt bike bars I call em. I'm on the side line watching.
 
Triumph western bend ! I’ve got a set on my tracker project. Almost put them on my 75.
 
Well she finally came free!!! With out plugs in it kicks through good compression. I need a new battery and replacement lines and hoses does anyone have a good place to get them?
 
What exactly do you mean by "lines and hoses" - fuel, electrical, brake, PCV?
I use clear plastic quarter inch lines for fuel from Home Depot with zip ties as clamps. Others may disagree.
It may be a bit early in the project to be investing in an expensive battery - it will start and run nicely on one of those jump start deck of cards size items that you may already have.
 
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