gregyammerhammer
XS650 Member
Hi, Like another post last week, I'm resurrecting a 1980 xs650 that has sat in barn for the past 12 years. It fires up on the third or fourth kick. It idles okay. It takes off in first gear fairly quick, but then it starts to sputter and backfire, especially when I crack up the throttle, backfires sometimes into the carburetor. I've cleaned the carbs twice, I did not replace anything in them, though. I didn't remove any jets, they were seized in pretty good. I used guitar strings, toothbrush, carb cleaner, etc. and made sure the little holes and passages were clear.
Don't know about the charging system, but, its got a new battery that hasn't quit, and the headlight comes on quick after just kicking the motor and having it sputter for a few revs. New rubber carburetor-manifold seals, petcock and tank cleaned. Gas flows well. I've got a good hose on the vaccuum port to the petcock.
Any suggestions? I hate to throw money at something I don't understand.
Yes, I've ordered a manual from Amazon that is supposed to be delivered in June.
I've never participated in the forum but have been tapping into a few of your posts to get me through tough spots for the past several weeks.
In case anyone's interested, here's a few other notes about my project: I cleaned the brake cylinders, replaced front master, new brake lines, and got the brakes working. I patched a couple of bad wires here and there. Rats had nibbled on some and the wire from alternator to rectifier had been damaged by the chain. The insulation on the red wire was worn off in a spot. That would explain the frequently drained batteries I remember from last rides on bike 11 years ago.
I tossed the light safety relay behind the battery because I couldn't figure out why my headlights wouldn't turn on, and subsequently learned how the darn thing was supposed to flip from low to high if one bulb burned out, but that you could live without it. I cleaned and repaired light switches, put on new Euro bars and bar-end mirrors. New clutch cable. I unstuck the clutch plates, cleaned the oil strainer. I spray painted the tank Navy blue with Rustoleum. It orange peeled, but meets the 10-foot rule.
Next will be fork seals. I'll wait until I have manual in hand. I could also use some tips on polishing the engine, which was caked with oxidation. I used Marvel Mystery Oil to cut and scrub through a lot of it off, but, dark stains remain.
I recently sold off my more valuable bikes, a Norton and Buell, to finance my extravagant lifestyle. The XS 650 is more my speed anyway. Just want a fun,
old-timey street hopper for Sunday morning jaunts.
Don't know about the charging system, but, its got a new battery that hasn't quit, and the headlight comes on quick after just kicking the motor and having it sputter for a few revs. New rubber carburetor-manifold seals, petcock and tank cleaned. Gas flows well. I've got a good hose on the vaccuum port to the petcock.
Any suggestions? I hate to throw money at something I don't understand.
Yes, I've ordered a manual from Amazon that is supposed to be delivered in June.
I've never participated in the forum but have been tapping into a few of your posts to get me through tough spots for the past several weeks.
In case anyone's interested, here's a few other notes about my project: I cleaned the brake cylinders, replaced front master, new brake lines, and got the brakes working. I patched a couple of bad wires here and there. Rats had nibbled on some and the wire from alternator to rectifier had been damaged by the chain. The insulation on the red wire was worn off in a spot. That would explain the frequently drained batteries I remember from last rides on bike 11 years ago.
I tossed the light safety relay behind the battery because I couldn't figure out why my headlights wouldn't turn on, and subsequently learned how the darn thing was supposed to flip from low to high if one bulb burned out, but that you could live without it. I cleaned and repaired light switches, put on new Euro bars and bar-end mirrors. New clutch cable. I unstuck the clutch plates, cleaned the oil strainer. I spray painted the tank Navy blue with Rustoleum. It orange peeled, but meets the 10-foot rule.
Next will be fork seals. I'll wait until I have manual in hand. I could also use some tips on polishing the engine, which was caked with oxidation. I used Marvel Mystery Oil to cut and scrub through a lot of it off, but, dark stains remain.
I recently sold off my more valuable bikes, a Norton and Buell, to finance my extravagant lifestyle. The XS 650 is more my speed anyway. Just want a fun,
old-timey street hopper for Sunday morning jaunts.
Exactly! bit of PB blaster or carb cleaner, WAIT, then flat on a solid bench or block at just above waist height so you can get your chest above the screwdriver. After the light hammer tap, hold breath, lots of down pressure and that perfect amount of twist pressure, but not TOO much! The reward of that "tink" when the jet lets go of the body threads is priceless! If you feel you are going too high on the pressure, STOP try to tighten it a bit then go back the other way.
