What have you done to your XS today?

But there are better threads which deal with the subject. Don't get panicked, read up, take your time, work methodically. If you turn the engine do it carefully and slowly. Once you are sure the cam/valve timing is correct, you can then turn attention to other problems such as carbs that might have made the bike run erratically.
I'll read up on that, thanks.

Rust in a clutch cable can do the "no compression" thing.
Is the battery charging? If on the stock TCI ignition they will act exactly like what you describe if the charging system isn't working.
Clutch cable looked good to me when I checked it out before, but I'll give it a closer look today. Yers, it's still the stock TCI but the battery is charging properly.
 
How was it running before you messed with the carbs? My first instinct reading this is your pilot screws are too far in.
 
How was it running before you messed with the carbs? My first instinct reading this is your pilot screws are too far in.
Fine from 0-4k RPM, then the engine bogs and the bike looses power, sort of jumping back and forth until it hit 5k, then back to normal.
 
Fine from 0-4k RPM, then the engine bogs and the bike looses power, sort of jumping back and forth until it hit 5k, then back to normal.
Can you possibly start including pics of your carb, filters, clutch cable routing etc? I've enjoyed following your XS revival. Sure do understand how removing your carbs and loosening the cam chain acorn nut etc has come into play.
-R
 
Can you possibly start including pics of your carb, filters, clutch cable routing etc? I've enjoyed following your XS revival. Sure do understand how removing your carbs and loosening the cam chain acorn nut etc has come into play.
-R
I'm going to to start my own thread in the next little bit. Wasn't planning on doing much at all to the bike, but I think it'll end up being more than I was expecting, so it'll be nice to keep everything in one spot. I'll grab some photos when I do that!
 
Just went and ...finally (not quite) picked up all of my machine work / engine. Last second asked "did you check gap on rings? left those and cylinders and double check against Total Seal spec. and what they should have done given their steel and our measurements....So, probably tomorrow morning go ahead cover up engine to prime the top for silver paint. Do the clutch while that's drying, maybe start on those wheels now that I have spokes. Keep me off those bar room stools.
 
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It's a Start on a Red '76
I painted this frame a few days ago and figured it was fully covered. Brought it out if the blue van where it had been "baking" in the sun to install the tapered bearing races and saw that the underneath needed a few more squirts. Done.
Also installed the bearing on the lower triple tree. I froze the stem overnight and was amazed at how the bearing and seal slipped into place just like in the movies.
 
Reworked the petcock gasket. Works better if you just do a half-moon and forget that silly little void low-left.
Also found my copper washer assortment and stepper bits. It's sealed up real good now!
 

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May have mentioned I got all my engine work back from machine shop and have wheel spokes...I have everything to start re-assembly BUT, just hit an impass. Heat, humidity, lazy, took a break. Maybe that costco sangria..highly recommend that if too hot outside of garage. maybe it was another bike I've been trying to come across for a few years...like this green one. P9060893.JPG P9050864.JPG I'll get the xs 650 engine put together.
 
stuck on a peg mount thingy

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now to put on a brake squeezy-pushy thingy...
I thought that peg set up looked familiar.:thumbsup: I did have to machine a little area of the mount to get the start lever to clear. Cheney also sells a brake lever that has a slight bend upward. (See Pics) Good choice of pegs.:thumbsup:
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Feb. Street Tracker 026.JPG
 
No pictures and it's not really done, but I added heated grips today, just need to wire in a relay and my riding season will be that much longer.
 
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