DirtyErnie's 1980 XS650Special

[DirtyErnie]

re-checking the #142.5 jet and Heiden needles in position #4. After tightening up my valve lash the carbs seem 'richer', and with temps in the high 80's lately, the mid-range lean-ness doesn't seem to be much of a concern. We'll have to see what happens when it drops down around 70 or so. I'm beginning to think these needles are too long.

 

[DirtyErnie]

Added one notch of spring pre-load to the forks last night, didn't have any idea I wasn't running enough until I read CapnZoom's thread. It handles like a whole new bike.

I love this place.

 

[DirtyErnie]

TUNING UPDATE: Lowered the Heiden needles to notch #3, I think I'm done tuning now. It finally starts, idles, and pulls to redline without a stumble whatsoever.

I'll check mileage and re-post.

*HAPPY*

 

[DirtyErnie]

Going to put this in the classifieds, too:
Does anyone have a spare set of BS34 USA needle jets? I think I nicked one badly when I was tweeking around with the needles. PM me.
Thanks!
E

 

[DirtyErnie]

OK! Time to add a carb tuning update, about the same information as in this thread: http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19528

Screwed up a needle jet in the original build, was never able to find a replacement or really get things tuned all that properly. I found out today just how nice one of these can run with a set of well-tuned BS34's. (That I'm working on a CVK34 swap should be lurking in your background)
With a repaired EPA needle jet, a stock one, Heiden needles in the 4th richest position and fuel levels set right, The bike managed to pull nearly 55mpg on a 123 mile highway ride. There's still a slight mis-balance as it transitions from pilots to needles, but it clears up as you get deeper into the needles and is completely gone by the time the bike is pulling from the main jets. Very fast, very fun.

 

[DirtyErnie]

More info: Here's some pictures of the head work and pocket porting on my bike. Most of this was done with a dremel.

 

[DirtyErnie]

Pictures of brakes and controls. Drilled out the rotors with one of the templates available on the site. I think the master cylinder is off a Kawasaki dirt bike. It's an 11mm and is spot-on with the recommendations of Mercury Mike from 650Central/ClassicBrake. 2-fingers is all that's needed (which is good, because you can't get any more on the bar).
Brake lights are run from a hydraulic switch on the lower triple-clamp.

Clutch is also from a Kawasaki something-or-other. It makes the standard clutch cable act like the 'easy-pull' cable from 650 Central.

 

[DirtyErnie]

Some more random assembly pictures: Exhaust.

 

[racerdave]

Is that a Cherry Bomb?

 

[DirtyErnie]

Yeah, 11-degree bends, one end is 1 7/8, other is 2". Had some issues with the Mike's XS 2-1 kit.

 

[racerdave]

I had one on my 1972 Pinto!

 

[DirtyErnie]

That must have sounded ferocious!

 

[angus67]

I had one on my 1972 Pinto!

I still have them on my fairlane!!!!!!

 

[racerdave]

That must have sounded ferocious!

A sleeper. 2,000cc. Cam,header small 4bbl carb,distributor recurve,traction bars,Hurst shifter. Sub 15 sec quarter mile

 

[angus67]

pintos get a bad rap because of the gas tank thing. The 66/67 fairlane and mustangs were the same way. I think pinto's are cool as hell! especially the handy man wagon.

 

[DirtyErnie]

Had some exhaust problems; unfortunately the Cherry Bomb is no more. After a bunch of work with some 3/8" socket extensions to bell the mouth of it, the original chrome cocktail muffler is on with all 3 bolts installed. MUCH quieter in parking garages and highway underpasses/tunnels. Carbs are going to need a tweek, but mileage is around 50.5 (granted, that's the first tank and I was a bit liberal with the loud-handle).

 

[DirtyErnie]

EX-500 Carb swap tuning thread!

Also, back to a stock exhaust. Maybe I'll get pix sometime...