What have you done to your XS today?

I used a sway bar disconnect from a wrangler as a brake stay!
 

Attachments

  • AF477794-B9C7-468B-955C-A8C24883B509.jpeg
    AF477794-B9C7-468B-955C-A8C24883B509.jpeg
    240.4 KB · Views: 146
That's looking better but really, the knotted brush in a 4.5" grinder is the hot ticket. It would get the faces even cleaner. The back sides look good but they're not as difficult to clean up. They don't get the baked on carbon coating like the front faces do.
 
Well I have just picked up engine cases up from the vapour blasters. The cylinders have been bored out to 2nd OS, and new valves have been cut in. Time to start the rebuild. This is my first time I have completely stripped an engine. Now for the hard part. Rebuilding it correctly. Any pearls of wisdom or tips and blessings from the motorbike fairy's are most welcome
 
Search for Jim's top-end rebuild thread and read that. At the end of that day, it's not rocket science. These are fairly simple engines - common sense, being organised and keeping the work area clean will see you through. But if in doubt, you can always post a question - I did that a lot and people were very helpful.
 
Well I have just picked up engine cases up from the vapour blasters. The cylinders have been bored out to 2nd OS, and new valves have been cut in. Time to start the rebuild. This is my first time I have completely stripped an engine. Now for the hard part. Rebuilding it correctly. Any pearls of wisdom or tips and blessings from the motorbike fairy's are most welcome

The go to write up.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650-top-end-buildup.52041/

Plus, the tech section has much more info, it’s at the top of the screen, just a click away!

Good Luck Triggorton :)
 
After a long busy summer at work, first week back in my little shop to continue my XS1 project, ordered the spokes for the TX750 wheels already,
And the BEST: I stopped earlier today at my mailbox and was able to pick up the Christmas present that I had given to myself,
the long-awaited XS calendar, (my first), of course small and even bigger boys cannot wait until Christmas and so the masterpiece is already hanging in my office.
A compliment to everyone who was involved in the construction of the calendar, professionally made with excellent pictures and good descriptions,
Cheers, Walter
 
Still waiting on a tank so I can finish up the subframe fab... did manage to passably stick a couple brake hose guides on the Radian swinger with the ol' electric torch...

Screen Shot 2020-12-04 at 3.42.19 PM.png Screen Shot 2020-12-04 at 3.42.01 PM.png Screen Shot 2020-12-04 at 3.44.13 PM.png

...and also really managed to screw the pooch on this Hugh's neck brace. Too hot, too slow, not enough filler is my diagnosis.

Screen Shot 2020-12-04 at 3.44.51 PM.png

Next I need to come up with a brake caliper stay mount and electrically glue that on the swingarm, then it should be good to go.
 
...and also really managed to screw the pooch on this Hugh's neck brace. Too hot, too slow, not enough filler is my diagnosis.
Not actually watching you weld.... your puddle ridges are too closely spaced, so you weren't moving the torch forward enough between rod dips.... and the deep undercutting means not enough filler rod. Not to question your knowledge, but you do know that's totally fixable, right? Just redo it with more rod and larger puddle advances. If you still get the some undercutting, reduce your heat slightly.
Just remember, you didn't screw the pooch if, in the end... it's fixable. :cool:
 
Last edited:
Not actually watching you weld.... your puddle ridges are too closely spaced, so you weren't moving the torch forward enough between rod dips.... and the deep undercutting means not enough filler rod. Not to question your knowledge, but you do know that's totally fixable, right? Just redo it with more rod and larger puddle advances. If you still get the undercutting, reduce your heat slightly.
Just remember, you didn't screw the pooch if, in the end... it's fixable. :cool:

Thanks for the feedback! Yep, I know it’s fixable, just have to get back over there and do it. My shop is offsite, so getting a hall pass to go over there when the kids (5&2) are at home is not happening.

If this gives you any indication, my TIG experience is still on my first 40lb argon cylinder. Lots to learn still!
 
Thanks for the feedback! Yep, I know it’s fixable, just have to get back over there and do it. My shop is offsite, so getting a hall pass to go over there when the kids (5&2) are at home is not happening.

If this gives you any indication, my TIG experience is still on my first 40lb argon cylinder. Lots to learn still!
Yeah... confidence usually shows up somewhere 'tween the second and third bottle. There's no replacement for time behind the torch.
 
20201207_192038.jpg
Lots to Do
This is the matching number motor for my '77.
FWIW, I don't really think having matching numbers on these bikes increases their value very much, but I have the parts to do it and a use for the existing motor, so why not.
When I bought the bike, the P O had holed a piston during an enthusiastic romp on the 401. During tear down, I saw that the bracket for the kick start return spring was stuck on with jb weld so I have fixed that. Now on to the rest of it.
 
Back
Top