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  1. jradvantage

    Keysleeve – Keep your keys away from your bike's shiny bits!

    Greetings! Years ago, I developed this simple solution for my personal use. It's a neoprene "keysleeve" that keeps your keys safe and protects the polished metal/plastic/painted surface around the ignition switch pristine. I've decided to make a bunch of these and see if there is any interest...
  2. jradvantage

    Looking for a good, cost effective solution to remedy air leak.

    Had a minor issue develop where the left side carb would pop every so often. It wasn't bad, but eventually got to the point where it was time to do something about it. Assumed it was the carb boots as they are original (32,000 miles) and are holding the weight of the carbs and Uni filters (stock...
  3. jradvantage

    Does anybody know this gentleman?

    Just wanted to pass along this info in hopes that this gentleman and his XS get the recognition deserved. Hopefully, he frequents the site or someone here knows him. JR From the Cafe Racer Magazine Blog: In the weekend-long hustle, bustle and confusion of staging this year’s Reader’s Ride-In...
  4. jradvantage

    A question before I open up my tachometer...

    The tach on my 78 has always been a little squirrelly. The higher I rev the motor the more the tach needle jumps around. After a little troubleshooting I figured out the cause. Turns out the thing you screw the tach cable into at the tach is loose. when I hold the cable taut, the tach works...
  5. jradvantage

    Front fork adjusters question.

    I have a 1978 and a 1980, both have the newer, adjustable front forks. The 1980 front forks are very stiff and noticeably harsh and the 1978 is on the soft side. Before looking any further into them, I am curious to see if tweaking the adjusters on top could make enough of a difference on one...
  6. jradvantage

    Rocker Cover install trouble...need advice

    I have a 1978 650E that I'm working on. Opened up the engine to replace the cam chain and ended up with new pistons, cam chain guide, cam chain tensioner, a cylinder re-bore, valve lapping, new seals, gaskets and elephant foot tappets. This is the first time I've ever opened up an engine. Got...
  7. jradvantage

    E-advance question regarding the pins...

    I'm in the process of installing a Pamco ignition with e-advance on my 78 XS. Have the rod thru to the right side and the two pins lined up. Go to put the advancer replacement cap on and it appears as though the pin (the one NOT part of the rod) is sticking out too far, as the cap won't go on...
  8. jradvantage

    Backfiring right cylinder...think it's electrical. Need help!

    I have a 78 650e with stock coils, points, etc... Got it running pretty good. Put about 70 miles on. Had a bit of a stumble, when I'd take off, but overall, pretty nice running. Noticed the timing was off on the right cylinder. I started messing with it while it was running. To make a long...
  9. jradvantage

    Power to the regulator/rectifier, nothing to the coils...Need guidance.

    Greetings, I have 1978 650E with the regulator/rectifier combo unit. I'm no expert, but a friend and I poked around to see why I'm not getting any spark to the plugs. I have what appears to be a stock electrical set-up (points, condenser), save for the aftermarket regulator/rectifier...
  10. jradvantage

    Blowing fuses on my 1978 xs650e...need guidance!

    So, I've been working on this bike off and on for about a year. It ran (barely) and all the electrical worked; horn, blinkers, the whole works. Also, appeared to be stock, with the exception of the regulator/rectifier combo. I took off the air box and replaced with uni-filters and removed...
  11. jradvantage

    Headlight Mounting Bracket gasket

    It appears as though the gasket that rests on top of the headlight bracket is no longer available (as shown in the attached picture). It's from a 1978 XS650E. Was wondering what people are using as a replacement for this part. Any help is appreciated! John
  12. jradvantage

    1978 XS650E - Front wheel bearings - speedo side

    Greetings, Got the bearings out on the left (brake) side, but was wondering how to go about getting the right (speedo) side bearings out. There is a speedo insert with a couple tabs right next to the bearings. Not sure if there's a certain way that needs to be removed or if it will pop out if I...
  13. jradvantage

    Question regarding powder coating the swingarm

    I'm getting ready to powdercoat the swingarm. I'm also going to replace the plastic bushings with the brass. Do I need to remove the plastic bushings before getting it powdercoated? Or, do I need to remove everything from the swingarm pivot area and just sand the powdercoating off afterward...
  14. jradvantage

    Removing tach cable from right side engine cover

    I've got a 1978 XS650E and I'm trying to remove the tach cable from the right side engine case. I've looked at the various threads related to the removal and I'm still not getting it. It appears from some other posts that the top end of that knurled housing is supposed to have some threaded...
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