engine

Mystified... done a tune up on the 78'SE... All done by the book, in sequence, had it running, replaced points, timing done, (dead on) new plugs @.0030"... Timed with light, at first it did idle down well enough to set timing right on at 1200rmp... then had issue with low idle, would surge...

I keep on picking apart my engine to replace gaskets , but this nut has put a stop to it then now I need your advice, how the hell can I remove it ? Ive used gentle fingers and force but with no result other than the retainer nut is deforming, so plz help me.

Okay guys so super confused here. So if you look at the picture below you can see the master chain link, and also the arrow which is next to the marker that indicates where the master chain should be (when at top dead center, and then the marker is in the middle pointing up) . I know I'm not at...

Hi barry here. I have a 78 xs.Put new cam chain in. May have cam one tooth off. Can I adjust. valves and timming around this ? Or do I have to go back into it? thanks

ive just installed Pamco and PMA and just now beginning to adjust the timing. It starts and runs got at idle. Tried adjusting the timing and now I have this god awful kickback. Any suggestions?

Ok , my name is Matt n I'm fairly new to the xs world but madly in love! I'm building a chopper out of a mess of a 72 xs that I saved from the scrapyard! The bike ran when bought but this winter I did all the frame. Custom work to get it where I wanted it!? That being said yesterday I took off...

81sh, stock-ish exhaust, one up on the pilot and main jets, uni's, tci & stock charging system... i've had this bike for a couple years but only been road worthy this season. engine is a bit unknown but somebody has had it opened up before. i believe there are new pistons inside as the...

I got my 78 a couple of months ago and the PO did let me know that the starter bendix gear needed to be replaced. I already had a new one so I installed it and. I am not even running the electric start but I figured I should replace it just in case I wanted to use it later. So I haven't...

Well, my bike seems to be extra clattery/buzzy lately. I'm thinking the front guide may be giving up the ghost. I adjusted my tensioner last year by putting the pin flush with the nut head like you do, but I have read that may be too tight, and loosening it a bit might help calm it down. I'd...

So I put a 78-79 series XS motor in my 83 xs650. Everything is in and fits nicely. Problem I am running into is electric. Shorting out and blowing main fuse.:banghead: Traced it back to the alternator. I heard somewhere that I would need to use plastic screws on the alternator hookups. Is this...

Good morning people i have a simple question i think .Are the breather blocks up on the cylinder head interchangeable? I have got an old 73 motor that has the big 1 1/2 inch wide breather with 2 pipes coming out of it and i want to change it to the later model narrower single pipe one . Its only...

I have a 256 motor and 34 tooth cam . what timing chain do I need?

I have a 256 motor and 34 too cam . what timing chain do I need?

The top end of my rods a worn out. MY piston pins are loose in the the rods. The copper is gone, and laying in the bottom of my cases. Reason no oil? thanks

Hey everyone, I have finally got my bike back together and the electrical sorted out! Thankfully that's done, but now to my new problem and puzzle! I took my bike out for a test ride to see how things were running working etc. and I noticed when shifting into 4th and rolling on the throttle...

Was out for a leisurely evening cruise and suddenly started hearing a clattering sound. At first I thought it was a valve but as I played around with it I discovered it didn't make a sound under any other conditions except in 5th gear. Rode the rest of the way home in 4th without a bit of...

Was out for a leisurely evening cruise and suddenly started hearing a clattering sound. At first I thought it was a valve but as I played around with it I discovered it didn't make a sound under any other conditions except in 5th gear. Rode the rest of the way home in 4th without a bit of...

I am resuscitating a new to me '78 XS650 E. It has sat for at least 6 years. I got to the point of adjusting the cam chain tensioner. When I kick it over the tensioner intermitantly pops out 1/8 to 1/4" and goes pop pop pop as I kick it over. When it's still, the tensioner is even with the...

Thanks you in advance for helping me get my 79 XS650 Special back on the road again. My bike was running great until yesterday. I was riding and got stuck in a downpour, bike was running fine for 20 or so miles, and suddenly my right cylinder started firing intermittently and then stopped...

Is there supposed to be a washer on the outer end of the kick shaft, between it and the case cover? It seems like it needs 1 but I can't remember or find 1.