Spark plug leaks

Removed the starter - surprisingly easy but getting the threads started for the install is going to be a challenge. The starter is cactus. The pole wires are sheared off and the post is loose in the cylinder wall. Looks like one of the long fixing screws has sheared off and ground against the commutator. The windings are covered in black dust and smell of short. The end plate was damaged during screw removal and would now need to be replaced. Local Auto-electrical shop would charge me $275 (AUD) to get it going if I supply new parts. Geoffs XS want $450 for a replacement. I can get one from the States for $185 so I am going for that option and putting up with the interminable wait.
Can anyone tell me if an '81 starter motor will fit on my '78 - the part number seems to be the same.
Cheers
 
Which bit Jon? Geoff Bamford just welcomed me to the world of vintage motorcycles, even though I've been buying from him for four years - his way of saying that you pay for the pleasure I suppose. The Auto-Electric shop would rather work on computer systems in BMW's. I owned a Range Rover once, every time I drove into a mechanic shop the till lit up. Not too many XS's in this country and to get a part from Perth to the Gold Coast is like purchasing from San Francisco if you live in New York. Melbourne is in lock down and most of our parts guys are there. Restoration in Australia has always been a case of time and money. Don't get me wrong, I agree with you.
 
Things cost more in the land of OZ than here in the US of A.
Does that $185 include shipping? If so that sounds like a deal. If not it may be about the same price to get one from Geoff.
Leo
 
Hello Leo,
Yes that's shipped. An '81 model which the buyer assures me is in excellent condition. I know, caveat emptor! There is plenty of choice in the States and this seller is long term with 99.9% positive feedback so I am as comfortable with the deal as possible at this distance.
 
Which bit Jon? Geoff Bamford just welcomed me to the world of vintage motorcycles, even though I've been buying from him for four years - his way of saying that you pay for the pleasure I suppose. The Auto-Electric shop would rather work on computer systems in BMW's. I owned a Range Rover once, every time I drove into a mechanic shop the till lit up. Not too many XS's in this country and to get a part from Perth to the Gold Coast is like purchasing from San Francisco if you live in New York. Melbourne is in lock down and most of our parts guys are there. Restoration in Australia has always been a case of time and money. Don't get me wrong, I agree with you.

Geoff said to me one day, "the more i can get people to spend on their XS650 the more the XS650 value goes up Australia wide". This was during him telling me about a guy, who he was restoring an XS2 for, who had spent $12,000 and the bike wasn't completely finished.

Never bought form him again after paying $70 for a set of good fork ears for an 80SG...........when they arrived the chrome was pitted and not good enough for a daily rider.............:shrug:

Dam i would have taken the starter out of my bike and sold it to you for $180
 
I know what you mean Doug and, thanks for the offer but I would hate to think of you having to kick your bike in the middle an NQ summer. I have found a local alternative here on the Coast. Gentleman called Peter Mercer runs XS spares out of his motorcycle wrecking yard in Robina. I thought he had retired but when I rang him, he had a rebuilt one on the shelf. Cost me $20 more, ( sorry mate!), but at least I can take it back if it screws up and I'm not paying more than the item is worth in postage. There are some guys around who have things for this bike but their prices are starting to reflect our isolation and the model's rarity in these climes. Peter told me that his business was booming now that classic motorcycle owners are sitting at home and being paid for the pleasure and Geoff, of course, is a businessman first. He was apologetic about his price on the starter but, as he said, he has to purchase overseas and assimilate those costs. I am tending to OEM parts from Yamaha now, when they are still available. The quality and durability of the Chinese reproductions makes them false economy.
Hang on to your starter, summer is coming.
Cheers
 
hi David, speaking of spares, I’ve been getting OEM parts from first class motorcycles, they are on the other side of Melbourne from me so I just order online, I copy and paste the part number it their part finder from partzilla, I don’t know why but with Yam parts in OZ you normally have to take the last couple of zeroes off the number, but I’ve found the prices to be pretty good compared to my nearest Yamaha shop, they don’t keep most items in stock but when ordering you can see if it’s available locally or needs to come from Japan, when parts had to come from Japan it took about 3 weeks, I’ve noticed a few places offering the same sort of thing in OZ now, none of them seem to have have the parts fiche like the US sites
 
Hello stinky (good nom de plume!)
Yes, I think you can still get stuff from Peter Kommer and another mob down your way called Professional Motorcycle Tuning on Rodd Rd who are supposed to carry parts. We're getting spoilt for choice though I don't know if these blokes still operate.
Cheers
 
Back
Top