restoration

In short... I am no mechanic or engineer, just want to learn. I have a 79 xs650 in UK. Modified frame, standard forks, and other odd changes. It has been standing for 10 plus years, after being "redone" by previous owner who then could not use due to Ill health. Apparently had a top end rebuild...

I posted a few weeks ago about not having spark at the plugs on my 76 XS650C. I took another look at the wiring, corrected some things, and now I have spark at one cylinder. I just replaced one of the points and the points wires and I HAD spark at both plugs. I started the bike and it ran rough...

Hey I am hoping that someone has or knows of a restoration thread that has a lot of step by step pictures of a restoration? I sometimes struggle with learning by just reading but easily understand with visual help. If you could help a guy out that would be appreciated.

Well, it's been years since I have had a bike...now I have jumped head first on an old clunker for 1200 bucks...a bit too much compared to newer bikes I have seen, but for a 1974' it's pretty complete...hope the pics post...

Need advice on how to refinish my frame - paint or powder coat? I'm nearing the end of the teardown phase of my 1974 650 and am getting ready to do the frame. Engine is out, everything if off of the frame and I'm planning to send it out to the sandblaster. After the sandblasting, should I...

Hi guys, I'm trying to sort out a new to me 1975 xs650b. I've been getting a bit of a splatter on the hub around the speedo drive. I pulled the front wheel off today out came what looked like a little bit of water. Am I missing a seal or something? I took a few pics, one of the speedo side of...

Hey everybody, I finally grew a pair and went out and bought the can of paint stripper, realising that no amount of polishing was going to budge 30 year old clear coat aged on to the engine's side covers. Worked a treat, came off like before my eyes. So far I have spent an hour or so working...

I just picked up a xs650 engine with a fresh rebuilt top end and new pistons and rings. The pistons are stamped .25 on top so it has the first overbore. Pulled the cylinders to clean off the red goo gasket sealer crap they used and I noticed the piston rings on the left cylinder were...

I'm getting very close to completion (I think) on my xs650c. I got it to start and run a few weeks ago. I then did some carb work and fiddled with the points timing to try to smooth things out. I've gotten my carbs sorted now (again, I think), but I've got no spark to my plugs. I've gone back...

I've been looking for a good motor for a project that I have for quite awhile with no luck. Prices are getting a little crazy !! So I hit my local craigslist and a listing for old Yamaha for 275.00 that's only 30 miles away !!! Now I don't know if I should take the motor out or save the...

so i just rebuilt the top end and hooked aq battery and have spark. i am now trying to time it. i hooked up a test light to the grey wire (right cylinder) and when i turn the engine over counter clockwise the points touch and the light lights up at what looks to be 180 degrees from where it...

Saw this on Craigslist today and it broke my heart. Trying to help a brother out. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/4478437857.html

Hey XS650.com! I just finished restoring my 1980 Special and thought I would share it with you. My very awesome father gave this bike to me at the ripe ole age of 14. I'm 45 now. And since then it sat in an unheated Minnesota pool shed for 29 years. A good bit dust pitting but all there. I...

I fabbed a part for the bike this week, and wanted to pass along the idea in case anyone needs something similar. The missing part was the threaded attachment on the RH engine cover for the tach cable to thread onto. A PO lost it and held things together, mostly, with wire. I mainly used a...

Well I finally finished bringing the '72 XS650 back to life. Its been a long slow journey but I rode it today and she did wonderful. All original except for badges... I left the gas tank with its "character" in tact for now since it is all original. Thanks to all of you that helped answer...

I'm painting my engine for my build and had found the Yamaha on the side cover had some chips in the black...paint? Its not paint, its thick and seems like plastic or a resin material. What is that made of, and if I got it all out could I get it in white? :wtf:

I have a feeling a hard part of my learning curve will be figuring out how to locate parts. I posted a question (my first post yesterday) regarding parts I might need, and immediately had good replies, including two with charts and links. Unfortunately, some of the parts are no longer...

Hi folks.... My first post here. Missing the XS's I owned a thousand years ago, I purchased a 1976 XS650C today. It's nice! Under 7,000 miles, but will need some attention to details. The bike had a big fairing and a large sissy bar and travel trunk. I removed them. My question is about the...

I am at the point where I will begin the engine reassembly. I have found an older guy on You Tube that seems to have a complete rebuild broken up into different videos. Now of course, I can't seem to find it. I don't have a problem putting the parts back into the case, I just want to make sure...

hey, kind of new to the xs650s (own 3 now lol) I started a restoration on a 71xs1b I picked the bike up for really cheap from a friend, it sat in a garage since 1978, and only has 10xxx original miles on it, the bike was really dirty and pitted, but everything came back to life with a little...