I just spit directly on it. 
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An Adventure in Firsts: '83 XS650 Heritage Special Build/Rebuild
- Thread starter MarieKaramazov
- Start date
MarieKaramazov
XS650 Addict
I only ever disconnected hoses at the petcock--one from right side of petcock, one from the back.
Here's one:
I'll get video from both sides (both cylinders) if that helps too, let me know
Spit test coming up
Side note: even though I'd had the bike on and idling for all that time earlier, I had to put choke back on for a few minutes to get going again..
Idle sounds OK.... firing on both. Does it rev OK?
I saw the smoke/steam but couldn't tell where from. Almost looked like it's wafting up from the exhaust manifold directly under the engine. Was it just as bad this time or was it getting better (less)?
I saw the smoke/steam but couldn't tell where from. Almost looked like it's wafting up from the exhaust manifold directly under the engine. Was it just as bad this time or was it getting better (less)?
I did, but I can't tell where it's coming from. My first guess is the valve cover right front. Then, I thought I saw it coming up beneath the carburetors.
@MarieKaramazov, did you replace the o'rings or gaskets on the valve covers? I'm assuming you have adjusted the valves. It's a likely place for a leak if you didn't reseal them. It's optional to use rubber o'rings or paper gaskets.
@MarieKaramazov, did you replace the o'rings or gaskets on the valve covers? I'm assuming you have adjusted the valves. It's a likely place for a leak if you didn't reseal them. It's optional to use rubber o'rings or paper gaskets.
In the second vid, the first 10 sec or so... I could see smoke coming up from the bottom... circled. oil on the exhaust manifold?
MarieKaramazov
XS650 Addict
Passed the spit test with flying colors on both sides haha
Each time I've run it since, it takes some time before the steam/smoke actually starts. I was staring at it and I can hardly tell but I would say it definitely looks like the cylinder, primarily the topish area, and top left.
There is a dangling oil drop on bottom end on the right cam 650 cover--can't tell if it has just heat up some existing residue that's now a liquid again or if it's new/actively dripping from inside.
I didn't see any oil on those circled spots...though the front one is where I wiped down earlier. on the exhaust manifold, which I believe is where the exhaust connects to the cylinder, no I don't see oil at all there, though that is where I'd dripped and wiped up gas earlier... maybe I should keep running and see if it stops? But if it was the gas I don't see why there'd be steam wafting up from the upper part of cylinder and by left side too which was nowhere near that spot
Any votes on how risky it would be (for the bike) to try zipping it around the block a bit and see how it does? Yes I want to ride. Maybe steam stops, maybe it explodes...
This is so frustrating! I really thought I was gonna have it today
EDIT: You don't think it'd be steam/quasi smoke from oil residue that oozed out of studs I just retorqued do you? They are nice and oily. I mean it's not dripping down but you can see it...
Each time I've run it since, it takes some time before the steam/smoke actually starts. I was staring at it and I can hardly tell but I would say it definitely looks like the cylinder, primarily the topish area, and top left.
There is a dangling oil drop on bottom end on the right cam 650 cover--can't tell if it has just heat up some existing residue that's now a liquid again or if it's new/actively dripping from inside.
I have done no valve work either in terms of adjusting timing or switching gaskets. No idea how yet.
I didn't see any oil on those circled spots...though the front one is where I wiped down earlier. on the exhaust manifold, which I believe is where the exhaust connects to the cylinder, no I don't see oil at all there, though that is where I'd dripped and wiped up gas earlier... maybe I should keep running and see if it stops? But if it was the gas I don't see why there'd be steam wafting up from the upper part of cylinder and by left side too which was nowhere near that spot
Any votes on how risky it would be (for the bike) to try zipping it around the block a bit and see how it does? Yes I want to ride. Maybe steam stops, maybe it explodes...
This is so frustrating! I really thought I was gonna have it today
EDIT: You don't think it'd be steam/quasi smoke from oil residue that oozed out of studs I just retorqued do you? They are nice and oily. I mean it's not dripping down but you can see it...
You have a leak. Make sure the oil is topped up and go for a ride!
Before you go much deeper into getting it to run right, I have to say, adjusting valve clearance and cam chain is the first thing I do.
Before you go much deeper into getting it to run right, I have to say, adjusting valve clearance and cam chain is the first thing I do.
The circles are the lowest point where I saw smoke wafting up, not oil. Means the smoke was coming from lower than my circles. I'm still guessin' you got some oil residue on the exhaust manifold. That manifold runs from the head all the way back to the muffler.... low on the engine where oil can drip on it.
Agree with Marty. Double check all your work and take it for a quick spin. I'm bettin' the smoke will be gone by the time you get back.
Agree with Marty. Double check all your work and take it for a quick spin. I'm bettin' the smoke will be gone by the time you get back.
That idles nicer than my bike does! Looks to me like oil reside burning off. Try going for a ride and see is the smoke is still there upon your return. Looks like you’re getting close to getting this bike running well. Btw I never let my bike idle for too long without getting some air flow across the cylinders and heads. Heats up real fast as you’ve already seen.
I'd go with the general opinion that is oil smoke. In general, black smoke is petrol and white smoke is oil. Possibly some residue from the work you have done? In which case it will soon burn off. Or you still have an oil leak, which major or minor will make itself apparent in time.
I'd also go with the suggestion take it for a ride. Didn't see or hear anything in those videos to give immediate concern.
The running problem on start up after you worked on the bike definitely sounds like you were low on fuel. But there is a possibility that removing the tank has stirred up some debris which has now found its way into the carbs.
I think you worry you might have screwed something up but that is unlikely. Taking the bike out for short and then longer rides will build your confidence in the bike and your own work.
I'd also go with the suggestion take it for a ride. Didn't see or hear anything in those videos to give immediate concern.
The running problem on start up after you worked on the bike definitely sounds like you were low on fuel. But there is a possibility that removing the tank has stirred up some debris which has now found its way into the carbs.
I think you worry you might have screwed something up but that is unlikely. Taking the bike out for short and then longer rides will build your confidence in the bike and your own work.
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Just watched your videos. Sound very nice to me. Needs riding. Great job.
Any votes on how risky it would be (for the bike) to try zipping it around the block a bit and see how it does? Yes I want to ride. Maybe steam stops, maybe it explodes...
Hi Marie,
risk of the bike exploding? lust about zero.
Risk of the bike quitting beyond being re-startable on a short ride around the block? Quite low, go for it!
Chance that the engine's oil seeps will burn off during the ride? better than half.
If it makes one lap, try for another, eh?
Try small circuits, just in case you have to push it home.
Go for a ride, as Fred says small around the block and progressively larger/further distance............have someone on speed dial with a trailer for back up, just in case if it makes you feel better.............
Exactly. That is the safest strategy while you gain in confidence with your XS.
Even more comforting is to do your test riding "up hill" from home, Reducing the need to have a back up anybody..
Saved my bacon using this strategy before.
-R
As long as you don't live on a hill...........
MarieKaramazov
XS650 Addict
Alright! Two rides completed. One on Thursday which ended up being about 30 minutes. Couldn't tell if smoke disappeared as it was too dark; didn't see any leak from left cylinder. Idle was mostly stable, but would drop to 1k occasionally the longer I rode it. Today I took it out again. As earlier in the week, it required the choke longer than usual. (I still have the idle speed at the 1/4 turn up that I did earlier in the week when it kept trying to die.) I took it out twice, streets only, 50ish mph max. The first ride was about 30min max round trip with a brief pause in between. No cylinder leak. Near the end of the first leg (15m), the idle seemed to drop a bit, but not quite to 1k. On the way back, at stops it would drop to 1k and act like it wanted to start dying. After returning, I took it out again about 15 minutes later, for a ride of about 40min round trip, and same issue and worse. Increases in frequency the longer I ride. Happens with clutch in or in neutral...I stopped th3e bike after about 20ish min for about a 5min pit stop, and the bike required choke again just to get to proper idle... Smoke is gone though; seems it was burning off residue from all I put on during retorque. Also, the leak on left cylinder did return by end of second ride. A little less than it was before retorque but still there. I know Jim and Gary have said that sometimes it takes time to work out the oil that's in there so I suppose I just keep an eye on that, or?
There's a temptation to say to turn up the idle speed more, but it has idled fine before (once I adjusted the clutch mech) 1/4 lower than this, so I suspect this is something else. (I have battery on tender whenever im not riding essentially.)
Item to maybe note: earlier in the week, post retorque but before I put mount and tank back on, I had to move the bike out of the way (not running or on, just rolling it back) at night for the garbage man the next morning and, well, somebody had a little to drink before moving it into this tiny space and I quasi dropped the bike. Not hard, and not completely--there's a gate/wire fence to the right that it mostly leaned against; it didn't even hit the floor completely. I got it back up but I did smell gas, but nothing was damaged or anything. I mention it because I wonder if this kind of thing can mess up the gas location or something like that in the carbs? That's one reason I rode it twice today; I don't know, wondering if maybe it'd suss itself out. Aside from that, I'm thinking this issue just might require me finally getting into the carbs, or maybe a new battery at least to eliminate that?
As always, thank you in advance and happy to be moving forward even if in small steps. Also need to knock out this oil change asap I figure.
There's a temptation to say to turn up the idle speed more, but it has idled fine before (once I adjusted the clutch mech) 1/4 lower than this, so I suspect this is something else. (I have battery on tender whenever im not riding essentially.)
Item to maybe note: earlier in the week, post retorque but before I put mount and tank back on, I had to move the bike out of the way (not running or on, just rolling it back) at night for the garbage man the next morning and, well, somebody had a little to drink before moving it into this tiny space and I quasi dropped the bike. Not hard, and not completely--there's a gate/wire fence to the right that it mostly leaned against; it didn't even hit the floor completely. I got it back up but I did smell gas, but nothing was damaged or anything. I mention it because I wonder if this kind of thing can mess up the gas location or something like that in the carbs? That's one reason I rode it twice today; I don't know, wondering if maybe it'd suss itself out. Aside from that, I'm thinking this issue just might require me finally getting into the carbs, or maybe a new battery at least to eliminate that?
As always, thank you in advance and happy to be moving forward even if in small steps. Also need to knock out this oil change asap I figure.
Other than the quirky idle, does the engine run OK? Good acceleration, steady speed and all that?
If you tip a motorbike, like when you nearly dropped yours, there will usually be a stink of fuel. Might be sloshes out of the tank but probably because the floats don't work properly at that angle so the carbs overflow. Nuttin' to worry about.
Although the PO claimed to have cleaned the carbs, they might have missed something, done something wrong, used a wrong jet, etc. But before getting into the carbs, you might try putting some Sea Foam in the gas tank and just running the bike a good deal more.
