maintenance

I did a major overhaul on my '79 engine this winter. Completely apart, split the cases, pulled the tranny shafts. Replaced every gasket, seal, o-ring and crush washer in it. Hot-tanked the cases, had the cylinders checked and honed (they were fine) installed new rings, a new front cam chain...

Because of my British bike back ground (and I can be lame at times) I had trouble checking the static timing on my XS650B. I'm trying to avoid that this time. I've pretty much finished all I'm going to do (I hope) to the bike and it's time (pun intended) to ride it around a bit. I need to...

hi, I have a 75 xs 650 and looking for some info on them, hasn't been on road since 91 I hooked up jumper cables and no lights came on, the battery is completely dead im guessing? (buying new battery tomorrow) just figured id ask if that's why light didn't come on or could it be a fuse bike is...

Well it's finally that time of year again. After moving to Wisconsin for an engineering co-op, my '75 will be here in a few hours. We've had some nice weather lately and I'm getting pretty pumped to ride it, haven't done so since I started cafeing it over Christmas. So all of you native...

Just want to share my bad experience with a parts company in Roswell GA called PARTSVENUE. Although I've purchased most of my stuff from Mike at 650 Central, I got sucked in by a rockbottom price for an Athena gasket kit. stoopid, stoopid :doh: Found the item on EBay, free shipping. They...

I rebuilt my carbies and installed a pamco ignition with a 3ohm dynatek coil, I hooked everything up and filled the carbies wit fuel, It took me 30 plus kicks to get it to start but it idles really high then dies then takes another 10 kicks to do start again and it just keeps going on and on...

I'd like to continue a thread started by Scott s back in 11/02/2012 regarding the kick start shim. I have a 1976C XS650 (matching numbers) with 17k miles, and I'm doing a complete resto. Second owner, so I'm not sure who else has been into the engine. I removed the right hand cover to inspect...

Is there already a step by step thread on this? looking for info so I can put the new sprockets and xchain on my 83 special- thanks

Found this O-Ring in my bead blasting cabinet, and I have no idea where it came from. I took a quick look through some schematics but nothing popped out at me, hopefully one of the experts here can help. So far I've blasted lots of engine parts, forks, brake calipers and some other chassis odds...

Well I'm trying to clean up some small oil leaks and I'm wondering if its possible to swap the Drain plug crush washers with out draining the oil?! I know the clutch cover gasket can be changed with out draining it by tipping the bike on its side but I've got a feeling this is a no go on the...

Bought these fuel filters but they only lasted a few months and very few miles. I got them on ebay and they are not VisuView or a name brand so I guess it serves me right. Anyway, I recommend staying away.

I put my rear wheel back on today. The tire is rubbing against the rear brake rod. The chain is adjusted, what else should I do?

Got another 1980 xs650 :) . Timing chain has proper adjust, valves have proper adjust, turned the pamco all the way counter clockwise even had to shave a bit off of the plate to get the timing Mark to line up with the T and it goes to F when under 3500rpm so the timing appears to be ok...

My '78 XS650 has a rattle that sounds like valves but they are adjusted correctly. I've checked the cam chain tension and it seems to make no difference. The rattle is louder when the engine is hot, maybe just because the oil is thinner. It's most noticeable when the engine is not under load. I...

Hello all, I tried searching, but couldn't find any pertinent data, so I'd like to start a thread for reputable motorcycle repair shops in your area. It's hard to find a shop worth anything these days so I'd like to see what everyone thinks. I'm in Hurst, TX (76053) and I'm currently...

Hi Guys, I'm buttoning up my motor after replacing the gaskets, tensioners, and cam chain. I'm at the torque stage and all the bolts have come up fine except #13 in 5twins image: I brought it up in stages with the rest but it refuses to tighten the last bit. My wrench will click when...

I am trying to get my project running for the first time and have been having the issue of what seems to be a back flow of gas through the carbs and out the air filters. I am not leaking gas, but I will get the occasional puff of fuel out the air filters when starting and do not know if this if...

I have seen how paint stripper easily removes the ugly, old plastic coating on aluminum bits, as I've tested some areas on my bike. But does anyone have experience or recommendations (such as, perhaps, "don't do it!") on using paint remover on the wheels with tires still mounted? I can see...

Since i get my xs650 http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?p=391385#post391385 I was thinking what i will do with my new babe but first i had some problems to sold , fuel or ignition probs , charging probs a.t.c soooo let the party begging !!!! First disassembly the carbs, bufff...

Some time ago I removed the spring loaded pressure bypass from my oil filter because I didn't want un filtered oil to by pass the filter during start up when the pressure is high. I installed a oil pressure gauge because I wanted to be able to monitor the pressure at start up and keep it...