Buying my first XS650... need some advice

Smuggy

XS650 Enthusiast
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Durban, South Africa
Hi all,

First time poster.

I am still really new to vintage bikes, but I have had my heart set on a 70s XS650 for over a year now - can't get passed that sound... but they just don't appear much in my area. The other day a 72 popped up in my area. It has been sitting for a while and needs a good clean but otherwise it looks pretty good in my very humble opinion. There is some rust in certain areas especially on the downpipe (attached).

I am just wondering if anyone has some advice or things to look for on the 72, and basically just what your thoughts are on this bike. I have some pictures attached, they aren't the best but hopefully you can make sense of them
. LHS Profile.jpeg LHS Engine.jpeg Engine RHS.jpeg Front Disc.jpeg Exhaust Rust.jpeg Mileage.jpeg
 
Hi Smuggy, welcome to the forum. This is the best place for advice and help with XS650s.

It's not possible to tell you whether or not to buy this bike, based on a few photos. What information do you have on the bike? History? How long has the seller had it? Why is he selling it? Does it start/run?

If the bike has not been started for a long time, it's better not to try. The engine might be seized and will certainly have old oil, which will have seeped down into the sump, leaving the moving parts bone dry. So trying to start the engine is likely to do damage.

You can tell a few things about the bike by its general condition. If you are able to wheel it around, you will get a feel for whether the brakes & wheel bearings are free. But a bike that has been stood for a long time can be expected to need some TLC.

From the photos, I would agree with your opinion - it looks not too bad. Looks like it's all there. The spark plugs & leads look fairly new. The paintwork is complete and looks to be in good condition. Before buying you need to consider: How often do you find one in your area? How much does the seller want for it? How much work and how much money are you prepared to put into the bike? Do you have any mechanical experience? Space to keep the bike and work on it?

Because buying the bike is only Step One. If you want to own and ride a vintage bike, you are setting out on a path. It can be very rewarding but you will need to be ready to put time and money in. But if it's what you want, you will forget all that the first time the engine fires up . . .

I expect other people will be along with a list of things you should check. But in the end, it's a question of whether you are ready to take the plunge.
 
+1 on all of the above. Left engine cover is fuel stained, probably from fuel overflowing the carburetor vent due to defective float or float valve or incorrect float level setting. This condition often results in fuel seeping into the crankcase, thinning the oil. If you can, take a look under those rubber gaiters on the forks. Look for any trace of oil (from leaking seals) or corrosion on tubes in the area swept by the seals (new seals will not hold on pitted forks). Question: have you familiarized yourself with basic maintenance chores for old motorcycles and compared them to what you know or are willing to learn?
 
As the above have said. Plus you need to figure out exactly what you have. Reason I say that is you have dual disk on the front. The fork lowers, calipers, fender, rim and spool are different from any 72 I have seen. I have to admit I like it all.

upload_2020-8-26_9-33-24.png
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Would like to know what the are off of and how the dampener was retained.
upload_2020-8-26_9-36-55.png

Also the front engine mount is different from a normal 72.
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You may want to see if the frame and engine numbers match. Then look in the Tech section and check to verify the year. The reason this matters is when getting parts it can make a difference. Doesn't matter what may have been done to it. If it's not now it can be made into a good dependable bike. All it takes is time, money and patience.
Congrats and more pics please.
 
Thanks Raymondo for the welcome to the forum. There really is a wealth of information on here and what appears to be endless amounts of help. Spoke to the owner and he was open about the bike sitting for a while, but that mechanically when it was running it ran well, with the exception of a few electrical gremlins causing some fuses to pop.

+1 on all of the above. Left engine cover is fuel stained, probably from fuel overflowing the carburetor vent due to defective float or float valve or incorrect float level setting. This condition often results in fuel seeping into the crankcase, thinning the oil. If you can, take a look under those rubber gaiters on the forks. Look for any trace of oil (from leaking seals) or corrosion on tubes in the area swept by the seals (new seals will not hold on pitted forks). Question: have you familiarized yourself with basic maintenance chores for old motorcycles and compared them to what you know or are willing to learn?
I will see if I can get a look under the rubber gaiters on the forks for any leaks or corrosion, that is good advice. Regarding the carbs he mentioned they will need a clean and possibly a rebuild so will take note of the float settings. In terms of familiarizing myself with basic maintenance and chores for old motorcycles, my knowledge is definitely extremely limited, but its something I am definitely interested in learning.

Thanks for the light reading Mailman, I already saw your bike nominated for the calendar, I have a lot to learn and aspire to from your project :D
 
You may want to see if the frame and engine numbers match. Then look in the Tech section and check to verify the year. The reason this matters is when getting parts it can make a difference. Doesn't matter what may have been done to it. If it's not now it can be made into a good dependable bike. All it takes is time, money and patience.
Congrats and more pics please.

Thanks for the heads up GLJ. I will take a look at the frame and engine numbers, and see if I can get some information from the seller on the front disc, calipers etc.If I find out I will share the information around them.

Definitely tons of pictures to come, I am already hooked and I haven't even bought the bike yet :p

Thanks for all the feedback and advice, I appreciate it
 
Electrical gremlins and popping fuses, eh? Could be shorted windings in the alternator rotor. Note that a quality rewind is a better buy than a cheap repop that's badly made. This is obviously not a running motorcycle, and if problems were minor the owner would fix them to enhance value and marketability. Let that fact inform your offer.
 
Hi all,
First time poster.
I am still really new to vintage bikes, but I have had my heart set on a 70s XS650 for over a year now - can't get passed that sound... but they just don't appear much in my area. The other day a 72 popped up in my area. It has been sitting for a while and needs a good clean but otherwise it looks pretty good in my very humble opinion. There is some rust in certain areas especially on the downpipe (attached).
I am just wondering if anyone has some advice or things to look for on the 72, and basically just what your thoughts are on this bike. I have some pictures attached, they aren't the best but hopefully you can make sense of them
.View attachment 174068 View attachment 174069 View attachment 174070 View attachment 174071 View attachment 174072 View attachment 174073

Hi Smuggy and welcome,
go for it! Don't sweat the year although you should check the engine and frame serial letters & numbers to see what you really have.
Some Countries XS650s did have dual front brakes but the slotted disks shown in the photos could perhaps be an upgrade.
Note that XS650 parts swap between years & models like LEGO
 
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Hi Fred,

Thanks for the welcome and for the reply. I agree with you on it not mattering around the year of things other than confirming it for parts. I checked, and the engine and frame numbers do match, I suspect there is just some weird aftermarket work done on that front engine mount to include a plate to "protect" that area of the bike. I followed the advice mentioned above and checked under the gators, all looks pretty good from what I could see.

I inquired about the front wheel assembly and the forks, and its apparently all from a suzuki of similar age, (could be an upgrade, not too sure). I will take more pictures and maybe someone can identify them if they are interested, but to answer your question GLJ I have no idea how the dampner was retained.

There is clearly going to be a fair amount of work to be done on this bike, and it comes with very obvious risks to it. The electrical gremlins and system as a whole are probably my biggest areas of concern, but I managed to find someone that can do stator and rotor rewinds (not sure how good the work will be) but someone that can do it nonetheless. Worst case scenario I can send it over to Jim and hope it survives our postal system. Having said that, despite the issues, short of importing a 650 I don't have too many options. Trolling around the internet brings up no results for a 650 since around 2018, they just don't seem to exist anywhere within South Africa. I might just have to roll the dice and hope the bike ran as well as the owner said it did, and if it doesn't then put in the work to make sure it does.

I will keep you guys posted on the progress if you would like, and hopefully my smile is as big as Mailman's when he got his XS2 :D
 
Sounds like you're going to go for it. I don't think you will regret the decision because you seem to understand that the bike will need time and work to get it right. Matching engine and frame numbers is a definite plus - means the bike is not a thrown-together bitsa.

But this bike looks like a good basis to start with. And if there are unexpected problems, anything can be fixed.

Things like wheel and forks off a Suzuki won't give you a problem as long as you're not aiming to end up with a totally original bike. You will give yourself far less grief if you aim to have a bike that is reliable and fun to ride.
 
Those earlier XS bikes have a very nice look about them e.g. the dampener, tank, side covers, chrome trim and badges. I am not too sold on the twin discs for this model but the photos suggest very good cosmetic condition all around. Was it dry stored or is that just South Africa's climate?

I myself would probably buy it. :bike:
 
Hi Paul,

Thanks for the feedback. I really like the look of the early XS bikes as well. I agree on the cosmetic condition.
The bike spent a lot of its time in Johannesburg which is inland and low on humidity most of the year. It currently resides in Durban which is extremely humid which is why I think the rust is starting to creep into certain areas. Bike is tucked away covered in a small garage at present, so about as good as you can expect for storage here.
 
I am just wondering if anyone has some advice or things to look for on the 72, and basically just what your thoughts are on this bike. I have some pictures attached, they aren't the best but hopefully you can make sense of them

Mirroring most of what's been said already. I'll add that I've been riding a '72 XS2 since '75 and wouldn't part with this bike for anything. Although, with age, it's begun having the occasional issue, being a mechanical device, it's just a matter of diagnosis and repair. Aside from the classic nature of the XS2, many (most?) of its OEM parts are still available online (e.g., Mikes XS, etc.).

As to "your" bike, in addition to the non-OEM front fork components, it looks like your speedometer and seat're also non-standard. I've not seen an NOS OEM XS2 seat for decades, but the speedos do appear every once in awhile. Tho', you should expect to pay handsomely for them.

Otherwise, if you've got the time, patience and finances and're enamored with the XS style, I'd definitely go for it. Once put right, they're fun, reliable bikes.
 
Hi
Some Thoughts
The odometer shows low mileage ..which can be correct
I think it looks fine
I would look for information about the engine.
Preferably starting it but if not possible .
In some other manner get an idea if it has compression and gearbox all gears.

And most important --Why install a Suzuki front on a Yamaha ?
I Would not do it. It can be because 2 discs gives better brakes but also
Perhaps because a crash .. Which leads to a risk for damage somewhere
Bent frame ?? Welded ??
If the engine is OK and low mileage ..frame OK the rest can be solved
Electrical and wiring mainly
And getting rather many miles with a smile on the face.
Price is a factor
 
Hello @Smuggy and welcome from Virginia

Hi @Boog, greetings from Durban South Africa.

Otherwise, if you've got the time, patience and finances and're enamored with the XS style, I'd definitely go for it. Once put right, they're fun, reliable bikes.

Thanks for the advice above Freddy, I agree with everything you have said. I am definitely enamored with the XS style, particularly the XS2. There are no doubts its going to take some work with the electrics from what I hear, but it will be worth it. Thanks for taking the time to look through the pictures.

Hello Smuggy from Victoria, BC, Canada!
Did you buy it yet? I bought my first, a '74 TX650A, last summer

I did buy it! I should be collecting sometime this week if my buddy can help me out with his pickup, thanks for the welcome from Canada, how has your '74 been going?

@Jan_P I agree with everything you mentioned, and these are thoughts that crossed my mind as well. From what I could see, the frame all looked pretty straight and I couldn't see any cracks. Sometimes you can only see that once you strip the bike though as GLJ found on his, so still a bit worried about that.
From what I have heard from the seller, the engine is good, low mileage and the frame all looks good from what I could see.

Thanks for the replies everyone, it has been a massive help. The community here is amazing, I will be posting the pictures when I collect and once she is cleaned up a bit :D I am sure I will have lots of questions when trouble shooting and fixing things - the least I can do is a build thread with lots of pictures and videos.
 
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