First Bike Ever, New to this Community

Karlock 86 · Jul 9, 2020

Hello everyone. I was looking around for some place to post my introduction thread, so I suppose I will settle here.

Just purchased my first ever motorcycle, a 1981 Yamaha XS 650 through a coworker's friend. Runs and rides. Needs a little tlc, but pretty good shape all things considered.

No serious plans yet, first order of business is to ride it and learn the nuances of motorcycle ownership.

Cheers!

Mailman · Jul 9, 2020

Welcome Karlock,
Congratulations on your new bike! It looks like a nice clean 650. There’s lots of good information and support to help you with your future plans and maintenance. Welcome to the madhouse!

Boog · Jul 10, 2020

Hello Karlock and welcome from Virginia. We are visual group, show us pictures of your baby.

Brassneck · Jul 10, 2020

Welcome aboard...fun first bike, great to learn with and learn to work on.

jetmechmarty · Jul 10, 2020

I bought a similar one for my first bike. A 1983 XS650SK. I bought it new. I still have it. I still love it. I think you picked a winner!

DSCN4692_zpstftxdo15

jetmechmarty
Sep 14, 2016

One owner XS650SK-B wearing SH wheels at Dogwood Rally Suches, GA.

Ecarranza · Jul 10, 2020

Hello, can someone tell me what model this bike is?

Ecarranza · Jul 10, 2020

Ecarranza said:
Hello, can someone tell me what model this bike is?

Rasputin · Jul 10, 2020

Looks very much like a Virago.

Ecarranza · Jul 10, 2020

Rasputin said:
Looks very much like a Virago.

I think it’s an Xv750 or XV920 don’t know which one though
Would anyone know by just looking at those pictures?

toomuchstuff · Jul 10, 2020

It's an 81 to 83 vintage Virago. I can't tell from those pictures if it is a 750 or 920. They look almost identical and are intechangeable in the frame. It is not the Euro style Xv920 which had an enclosed chain drive rather than a shaft.

fredintoon · Jul 11, 2020

Karlock 86 said:
Hello everyone. I was looking around for some place to post my introduction thread, so I suppose I will settle here.
Just purchased my first ever motorcycle, a 1981 Yamaha XS 650 through a coworker's friend. Runs and rides. Needs a little tlc, but pretty good shape all things considered.
No serious plans yet, first order of business is to ride it and learn the nuances of motorcycle ownership.
Cheers!

Hi Karlock and welcome,
Nice bike.
List consensus is that 2 into 1 exhaust makes tuning a little more difficult.
Photo shows the stock bucknorn 'bars have been replaced.
Marty loves buckhorns, I hate 'em, we are both right.
Note that if you go back to buckhorns you may have to get longer cables.
Once you are comfortable with riding, think about:-
Replacing the stock fabric brake hoses with stainless.
Fitting a smaller piston front brake lever (Stock lever is sized to work Euro-XS650's dual front brake)
Drilling the brake disks full of holes.
Note that XS650 parts swap like LEGO. For instance the one gallon larger XS650 Standard gas tank will drop right on.

Wulfbyte · Jul 12, 2020

Welcome to the best XS650 site there is, a lot nice members,most are gurus, that really know the 650’s! You’ll find everything you need to know here,I like my buckhorns too,mainly because I’ve had it since 82,2nd owner I bought it from a friend,and that’s all I ever had on it! I do like the euros but want to keep it original as possible! Getting ready to upgrade it to stainless steel brake lines though! Enjoy your ride!

YamadudeXS650C · Jul 12, 2020

Welcome to the Forum.
You've found the right place and a great bike.
If you have a good experience here, consider becoming a contributor.

In Syracuse and the surrounding communities, there are about 5 of us members.
In Central New York, maybe 10.

In my collection there are an '82, which I tour the Catskill Mountains with,
and an '83, which is for running around locally, like 13 Curves in Cedarvale,
and looping the finger lakes. I call them "The Twins"

Dude

Karlock 86 · Jul 18, 2020

Awesome welcome everyone!

I just got my bike registered, and unfortunately it's going to be another 3 weeks before I can take my permit test, since the DMV is only doing appointments because of coronavirus. After that, I'll be looking to get some riding in for sure!

Also, I was cleaning off some dust from my new toy, and when I took off the side covers, I appear to have an American oil catch can modification.

gggGary · Jul 18, 2020

That's not an unreasonable mod, classic even!
But I'd be looking under that loose electric tape. Too many twist em N tape em artists 'round.

fredintoon · Jul 18, 2020

Karlock 86 said:
Awesome welcome everyone!
I just got my bike registered, and unfortunately it's going to be another 3 weeks before I can take my permit test, since the DMV is only doing appointments because of coronavirus. After that, I'll be looking to get some riding in for sure! View attachment 172118
Also, I was cleaning off some dust from my new toy, and when I took off the side covers, I appear to have an American oil catch can modification.

Hi Karlok,
for all that those those pleated tapered carb pods say XS they strangulate the stock carbs.
I'd advise to swap rhem out for Unipods.

Karlock 86 · Jul 19, 2020

fredintoon said:
Hi Karlok,
for all that those those pleated tapered carb pods say XS they strangulate the stock carbs.
I'd advise to swap rhem out for Unipods.

Good advice. Since I'm new to this community, what are some favorite websites that you purchase replacement parts from? I want to completely reroute wiring in the future to get rid of old, possibly loose connections and internal wire shorts, and maybe swap out the fuel tank in the future, among other things.

YamadudeXS650C · Jul 19, 2020

Karlock 86 said:
Good advice. Since I'm new to this community, what are some favorite websites that you purchase replacement parts from? I want to completely reroute wiring in the future to get rid of old, possibly loose connections and internal wire shorts, and maybe swap out the fuel tank in the future, among other things.

This is a frequent question.
Here is one of the threads:

http://www.xs650.com/threads/which-supplier-boats-stadium-or-mikes.39746/
.
.

YamadudeXS650C · Jul 19, 2020

These threads will likely answer many of your future questions:

http://www.xs650.com/threads/200-special.51454/

http://www.xs650.com/threads/100-1982-yamaha-heritage-special.56376/

http://www.xs650.com/threads/80-special-refit.52662/

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