81XS Whaaz up ?

[member28833]

Okay, this was a funny one to find.
Deep in Portland old Burbs. Asian man who did not know a thing about it other than it is under the tree house. He did say “Good Luck” but we couldn’t really communicate well.
Numbers matching. There actually is clean oil in the stuck engine. Not too ugly though.
Coolest thing is , It’s on old XS drum brake wheels ! Rusty spokes but again not too bad looking.
IDK what I found yet but it was $50

 

[Jim]

Well I don't hardly see how you could go wrong at that price.
Can you give me some closeups on how the brake shoe plate hooks to the 81 forks? Debating on doing that with the speed twin build.

 

[5twins]

I'm guessing that front wheel brake isn't even tied into the forks. I'll bet someone just stuck that old wheel set on there so they could roll the frame and engine around.

 

[member28833]

Sure, just like this it’s just free spinning ! Not hooked up at all . Rear either ..
I just bought some wheels and a 81 engine happened to come with em’
I’ll just have an engine now to take apart and think about .
Wheels anybody ?
-RT

 

[member28833]

Does anybody recognize these wheels yet as actual XS? I haven’t looked yet.
Still not even home .

 

[5twins]

That early rear brake plate is pretty nice actually. It's the cleanest casting that was used. No "extras" cast into it like lining check holes or scales, or a brake wear switch hole.

 

[member28833]

Yes 5twins, that brake plate would clean up real smooth . I was kinda hoping to use it on my 78E ?

 

[Jim]

Sure, just like this it’s just free spinning ! Not hooked up at all . Rear either ..

Yeah... those look just like the XS1 wheels and brakes I have.

 

[Mailman]

Nice find Randy! I’m liking the early drum brakes, it would b cool to adapt them onto a newer bike. They really have the right look for a vintage bike!

 

[5twins]

I helped a local guy with his bobber build and he used an XS1 front wheel. He had a cleat welded to the fork leg for the brake plate to slot onto.

 

[member28833]

It was just a no brainer to go haul it home. I know somebody wants these wheels because that front is Cool
I just keep doing XS some stuff for fun lately.
Doesn’t hurt to prosper a few bucks either.
I’ll get busy on my real project again one of these days ....

 

[member28833]

5twins that right engine cover is also quite nice , few bits here and a few bits there . It’s all fun

 

[Jim]

I helped a local guy with his bobber build and he used an XS1 front wheel. He had a cleat welded to the fork leg for the brake plate to slot onto.

I've thought about welding a cleat on the lower, but I'm worried about it distorting it and not allowing the upper tube to slide freely. Any chance you know if they had to ream the lower after welding or if that was even a concern?

 

[5twins]

I don't know much about it, he had it done on his own.

 

[gggGary]

I've thought about welding a cleat on the lower, but I'm worried about it distorting it and not allowing the upper tube to slide freely. Any chance you know if they had to ream the lower after welding or if that was even a concern?

There's a bolt on bracket available, Motolanna. Either buy or "reverse engineer" from the pics.
Here: http://www.motolanna.com/ourshop/pr...ront-CNC-Billet-Alloy-Yamaha-SR500-SR400.html

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

Took awhile to find this oldie...

http://www.xs650.com/threads/xs1-wheel-to-79-forks.30216/

 

[member28833]

XS update , been so busy that I finally unloaded the 81 XS parts pile
Proclaim Victory here as the XS1 wheels are just cleaned off and disassembled enough to see that they will be fine ! No real damage, gouges, cracks, or living rodents left in them.
Stuck brake pivots but I’ll address those another day ..
Plenty of other parts removed from my now stripped 81.
Wondering if the 81 head is interchangeable with say a 78 ?
Cheers , -RT

 

[5twins]

Yes, most all motor parts should interchange. You've acquired yourself a type E cam chain adjuster. That should go on your '78 pronto.

 

[member28833]

Great news , I’d really like to rebuild this 81 head with mild enhancements to the valve seats and casting passages,
Sure am glad to potentially have more good parts. Fingers crossed.

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

Is your XS1 front brake lever missing the coiled return spring?
Telltale is the tiny spring hook just above the balance/transfer rod.


Those return springs are impossible to find...