maintenance

I have a 1980 xs 650 special II i bought that was stock and had 17,000 miles on it just got done rebuilding it but i did NOT rebuild the engine i have rode it a few times seems fine, just wondering is there anything i need to do special to the engine since i did not rebuild it considering the...

Pulled down a 11K mile 79 that had got a bit of water in a cylinder while sitting (never run after) and found the small ends looked like this. Then read this thread you will note the RH small end looks like it got hot. The brass coating is gone and using an indicator through...

I'm going through everything on my first build, and the alternator's stator coils look really grimy. Take a look at the attached pictures; should I clean these, or do they need to be replaced? I can't find replacements on MikesXS (either that or I don't know what I'm looking at), but I've...

I went with this clutch kit, here are some tips, before installing. Soak plates before installing( up to 24 hours and atleast 2 hours) I used JASO MA rating on the oil (for wet clutches) 10W 40 Scotchbrite the steel plates before reinstalling, a little scuff grips better than a polish. There...

So i have been assembling my first from the box of nuts and bolts the guy i bought it from gave me and as far as i can tell the front sprocket goes on has a washer that goes on the outside and then the monster nut. Plus some torque. If that is correct please let me know thanks. And what is...

Hey All, I have been reading as many threads as possible on troubleshooting BS38's. I am still struggling. So i appeal to the forums expertise. - The bike kicks first time no trouble - Give it a little bit of throttle it sputters and dies - A small amount of black smoke comes out...

Sorry if you are a farmer, but I am against Ethanol fuel and increasing it's percentage. The following link will take you to the AMA {American Motorcyclist Association} and a form letter that will go to your congressmen asking him/her to vote against increasing Ethanol above the current 10%...

SOLVED Sorry if this is a stupid question. Running some parts through my home made washer. I discovered an unaccounted for dowel pin in the dark dark sludge. I had been cleaning my oil pump parts and the respective case. Its one of part 5 & 13 on the crap boats.net microfiche attached. One...

Hi Guys Working away on an old basket case motor rebuild. Removed the shift fork assembly and i found some interesting / concerning wear. :wtf: There is this obvious crack in the case. It's not gone right through, but it has distorted the case where it protrudes near the front sprocket and...

Probably old hat to many here but here is a problem and a fix. The starter motor on the engine we are using in our sidecar developed a short. The symptom was just the solenoid clicking like a flat battery. Tested the starter was faulty by jumping a battery direct to the starter, huge current...

I was riding my bike home from work today and my bike was running like crap (and yes the choke was off) but after I got 3/4 the way home it was running a little better. But when it was running like crap I thought for sure that it was misfiring.

I was changing my oil the other day in my bike when i noticed it had BOTH a dipstick and a eyeglass. So, my question is what one do i go off? I found somewhere on here that the bike takes 2.1 quarts. So, I put 2 quarts in it and it was way over on the dipstick but not visible on the eyeglass.

i just finished rebuilding my 80' xs650 a couple of months ago, this is my first build and bike and am new to all of this. First since i have had it finished the bike has ran great no problems. Then yesterday all of a sudden it died on me figure the battery had died. The screw to the negative...

Hey guys, Heading up to see what the owner has called a 1980 XS650. Pictured below. Was staring at it for a good long while because I couldn't understand what the rear brake setup was. After some research I guess in 1981 they made this mag rear drum but that was the only year. I was...

Sorry! Gotta go to the last pic, to see what it is. Putting my cases back together and I did remember the F'n "Blanking Plug"! I also used the recommendation of HondaBond by two other Gurus, here on the forum. Here are my pics, which include the upgrades of the 5th gear overdrive and rephase...

:yikes:Putting my cases together, I noticed two different suggestions on the 6 Acorn nuts, on the bottom of the cases. Using Blue locktite and copper washers, here is the one I decided to use, because of a longer exposed, threaded dowel rod.

XS650 Carburetor Metalurgy ...or... "What is this mystery potmetal" I've seen this question occasionally, "What casting metal is my carb?". This can be important to know, if considering aggressive cleaning agents, or fixable repairs. Without doing extensive chemical tests, it's possible to...

Hello out there to the community. A total rookie here... I've finally taken delivery on my 76' XS650C. One thing is certain. This bike needs a cleaning and some parts. I am looking for any advice beyond simply using the center stand to secure the bike while removing wheels, cleaning etc...

Just wanted to share some cleaning experiences, along the way of my rebuild. Here are some before and after pics of the pistons. I found a vapor blasting service, in New Mexico, that I would highly recommend. His name is Dan Vitaletti of Vapor Blast Solutions. He is on top of his game, with...

A little advice please. Here's something I have been pondering for a couple weeks now. After the 77'D took it's spill this spring, and during the subsequent rebuild, I've been fretting over the front end alignment. The bike doesn't handle as well as it did prior to the accident. New parts...