Johnnny13
XS650 Enthusiast
It will be a rigid. I’m waiting on some more funds before I can purchase the fender and a few other parts. Then it will be time to chop it up.
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75 Build
- Thread starter Johnnny13
- Start date
Johnnny13
XS650 Enthusiast
Swapped out the lower triple tree, got the fork tubes in without issue, and put the front end together. I’ve got a used caliper I’m going to rebuild. I also need to change the fork seals.
XSsex50
XS650 Enthusiast
Shit yeah! This is going to be sick
Johnnny13
XS650 Enthusiast
Stripped my wife’s 81 XS650 front end apart. I repainted it flat black and used 2K matte clear. This included the triple trees, forks, headlight, exhaust, and tail light I also made 2 sets of heat shields from brass tubes for both of the bikes. Just had to progressively sand them up to 1000 grit. And finally I repainted my helmet.
Johnnny13
XS650 Enthusiast
Been waiting on parts, work got in the way, and the weather has been crap (for working in a storage locker. Got the carbs rebuilt. Not sure if I’ll use these for the 75 or the wife’s 81. I also plan on swapping out the fork seals, replacing the fork oil, and changing the fork boots out. Basically I’m building this 75, redoing the wife’s 81, and finishing a USMC M1030B1 (that you can see in some of the pics). For anyone that’s interested in the USMC bikes (I bought a total of 8 of them) check out the link. https://advrider.com/f/threads/usmc-m1030b1-military-klr650-restoration.1177802/
Johnnny13
XS650 Enthusiast
I ordered some rubber fork caps from MikesXS. unfortunately they don't fit. for my Wife's 81 I used these.
I have these style fork caps
And I ordered these from MikesXS.
Obviously the caps from MikesXS are cylindrical. The caps have a 6 sided shape. Therefore they don't fit. I assume I could always glue them on there but I'd rather have the correct part. I believe that these forks are the 77.5 forks. I remember them switching half way through the year. Anyone have any ideas on the correct part? I remember seeing a good thread that detailed the different fork caps that correlated the years. I thought I saved it but I can't find it now.
I have these style fork caps
And I ordered these from MikesXS.
Obviously the caps from MikesXS are cylindrical. The caps have a 6 sided shape. Therefore they don't fit. I assume I could always glue them on there but I'd rather have the correct part. I believe that these forks are the 77.5 forks. I remember them switching half way through the year. Anyone have any ideas on the correct part? I remember seeing a good thread that detailed the different fork caps that correlated the years. I thought I saved it but I can't find it now.
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Johnnny13
XS650 Enthusiast
It's been awhile. I have been rebuilding bikes, buying a few, and reassembling the wife's 81. Not much to report on the 75. I did switch out the bars and a buddy bought a 72 so I'll be helping him with that as well. I forgot how tough it was to get those carbs back in!
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Johnnny13
XS650 Enthusiast
Helped my buddy with his 72 (pics attached). We checked compression in his engine and my 75 extra engine. I got compression on both sides to 120. He got 130 on both sides in his 72. Figured that was good enough so we pulled the engine. I'll probably just check out the top end, clean it up a bit, and paint a few things. Hopefully that's all it needs. Last week I swapped out both of his wheel bearings. We are still looking for forks for his 72. Basically looking for 73-76 34mm forks to work with late model wheels / rotor and early model brake caliper. The thread can be seen here http://www.xs650.com/threads/72-rotor-79-wheel-question.56810/. I'm going to put in new fork oil and seals in the 75 this week.
this week.
this week.
Johnnny13
XS650 Enthusiast
I’ve been working on my wife’s 81 XS650 (with a 73 engine) for the most part lately. That, and restoring USMC dirt bikes, rebuilding a TW200, and helping a buddy with his 72 XS650.
Finally got back to the 75. I went ahead and replaced the fork seals today. This also included replacing the circle retaining clips, washer, fork caps, fork cap o-rings, dampener bolt, and dust boots. I used Bel-Ray 15wt oil with 7 ounces. I’m 230 so I like the forks a bit stiffer hence the 15wt. I wrapped a shop rag around a screw driver, to protect the fork, and just pried the old seals out.
I was able to borrow the dampener holder tool. It worked perfectly. I still need one for my buddy’s 34mm forks. I’m willing to buy one if anyone is interested. I'm just waiting to purchase a few more parts until I can weed in the hardtail and mock up the bike.
Finally got back to the 75. I went ahead and replaced the fork seals today. This also included replacing the circle retaining clips, washer, fork caps, fork cap o-rings, dampener bolt, and dust boots. I used Bel-Ray 15wt oil with 7 ounces. I’m 230 so I like the forks a bit stiffer hence the 15wt. I wrapped a shop rag around a screw driver, to protect the fork, and just pried the old seals out.
I was able to borrow the dampener holder tool. It worked perfectly. I still need one for my buddy’s 34mm forks. I’m willing to buy one if anyone is interested. I'm just waiting to purchase a few more parts until I can weed in the hardtail and mock up the bike.
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