I first found this forum around the first of July after watching a you tube of a XS650 build by OldBiker. I learned parts were available for the XS and with the information and expertise on this forum I was fired up!
So happened I dug out a 77 XS650 I had stashed in the back of the barn behind a 71 Chevelle over 30 years ago.
I wish to thank, especially, and in no special order, the efforts of Jim, XSLeo, 5Twins, Peanut, 650Skull, Mailman, 2Many, MaxPete, & gggGary in providing the info I needed to restore this bike. I built the bike in doors so I haven't started it yet but I have no doubt it will perform. (After many hundreds of hours and a few thousand dollars it had better...I do have whiskey) The only thing I don't have is the little rubber cover that goes over the front caliper bleeder. Who knows where it went? I can't say you didn't tell me to Squeeze the Spring on the Starter Bendix and check it with a scale. That was a do-over. ( Turned fine with the plugs out. Lucky I checked it with the plugs in! ) Way back there some place 5Twins answered a question like " Well, yeah you can get oil up to the top end IF your prepared to kick a while." (on a new build) I think he ment one could retire again on that job. I never did see oil up at the tappets even running the starter with the plugs out. ( I didn't do that much. Didn't want to run the starter any more that I had to) By the time I had caught my breath from kicking the oil probably had run back down in the bottom and I ain't no spring chicken. I also didn't put the pump up dry but...She will work. Before I roll it out in the heat, to start it and do all the post start checks, I want to replace the carb bowl screws with allen head. Hind sight IS 20-20. The bike is kinda like my ole lady. She don't look too bad from a distance but a little closer and some parts of her does!
Ya'll got some good looking bikes and I hate to put this one up there but I'll try to get a pix of it up soon if that's ok?
I do have one question. Point plate rotation; is CW rotation advance and CCW rotation retard? That timing chain was TIGHT and I was just able to get it static timed at full CCW.
Thanks again for all the great info and sorry for the long post.
Thu
So happened I dug out a 77 XS650 I had stashed in the back of the barn behind a 71 Chevelle over 30 years ago.
I wish to thank, especially, and in no special order, the efforts of Jim, XSLeo, 5Twins, Peanut, 650Skull, Mailman, 2Many, MaxPete, & gggGary in providing the info I needed to restore this bike. I built the bike in doors so I haven't started it yet but I have no doubt it will perform. (After many hundreds of hours and a few thousand dollars it had better...I do have whiskey) The only thing I don't have is the little rubber cover that goes over the front caliper bleeder. Who knows where it went? I can't say you didn't tell me to Squeeze the Spring on the Starter Bendix and check it with a scale. That was a do-over. ( Turned fine with the plugs out. Lucky I checked it with the plugs in! ) Way back there some place 5Twins answered a question like " Well, yeah you can get oil up to the top end IF your prepared to kick a while." (on a new build) I think he ment one could retire again on that job. I never did see oil up at the tappets even running the starter with the plugs out. ( I didn't do that much. Didn't want to run the starter any more that I had to) By the time I had caught my breath from kicking the oil probably had run back down in the bottom and I ain't no spring chicken. I also didn't put the pump up dry but...She will work. Before I roll it out in the heat, to start it and do all the post start checks, I want to replace the carb bowl screws with allen head. Hind sight IS 20-20. The bike is kinda like my ole lady. She don't look too bad from a distance but a little closer and some parts of her does!
Ya'll got some good looking bikes and I hate to put this one up there but I'll try to get a pix of it up soon if that's ok?
I do have one question. Point plate rotation; is CW rotation advance and CCW rotation retard? That timing chain was TIGHT and I was just able to get it static timed at full CCW.
Thanks again for all the great info and sorry for the long post.
Thu
suspension, etc. need to be gone over before you take it any distance. Did we mention pictures? These motorcycles were meant to be ridden, not trailer queens. Go for it, and keep us posted with your progress. And send pictures. 
Good luck, and best wishes. 
