Man you've got an eye 2M!
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Mailman’s XS2 a full on restoration
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Thanks 2M,
Good catch!
Oh yeah believe me, I’ll go through the wiring with a fine tooth comb!
Your pic of inside the left cover nicely shows how Yamaha cheaped out on the round alternator cover screws. They used screws that were too short. They used M5 x 10 screws. Change them to 12's or 14's to utilize all the available threads.
Skull and Pete make an interesting point. Last September's issue of the Classic Bike Guide has a short article by Frank Westworth, (editor of Real Classic magazine - a Pommy outfit specialising in the acquisition and maintenance of classic motorcycles), where he compares the virtues and values of a "completely restored and mostly stock machine with an unrestored and mostly factory stock machine."
Frank likes the unrestored version and here is his reason,
"There was a small coven of professional rebuilders who rebuilt unrestored bikes to a considerable standard of shine. It was easily possible to rebuild a re-import and turn a considerable shilling when selling it on. But today? The reverse appears to be increasingly the case. Such is the demand for unrestored machines that it is almost impossible to make a profit from rebuilding one." (Frank Westworth CBG September 2017).
Bob, I am, of course, not suggesting that your motivation is mercenary. I'm sure you'll take the '77 and the X2 with you when you go, (or you could leave them to me! Damn! Going by your last photo, I'll probably go first!!). I merely point out the opinion of a learned person engaged in the "classic" element of our sport in support of the posted commentary above. Bikes like this one are hard come buy and, as you are undoubtedly aware, warrant planning and consideration.
Cheers
Frank likes the unrestored version and here is his reason,
"There was a small coven of professional rebuilders who rebuilt unrestored bikes to a considerable standard of shine. It was easily possible to rebuild a re-import and turn a considerable shilling when selling it on. But today? The reverse appears to be increasingly the case. Such is the demand for unrestored machines that it is almost impossible to make a profit from rebuilding one." (Frank Westworth CBG September 2017).
Bob, I am, of course, not suggesting that your motivation is mercenary. I'm sure you'll take the '77 and the X2 with you when you go, (or you could leave them to me! Damn! Going by your last photo, I'll probably go first!!). I merely point out the opinion of a learned person engaged in the "classic" element of our sport in support of the posted commentary above. Bikes like this one are hard come buy and, as you are undoubtedly aware, warrant planning and consideration.
Cheers
Your pic of inside the left cover nicely shows how Yamaha cheaped out on the round alternator cover screws. They used screws that were too short. They used M5 x 10 screws. Change them to 12's or 14's to utilize all the available threads.
Ha! I never noticed that! Good tip 5T, I’ll do that!
Bob, this thread is quickly becoming the ultimate 'how to do it right' restore thread thanks to you and all the guru's.
It’s funny you say that. I also happen to love old trucks. I used to have a 1960 Chevy stepside pickup. The trend used to be to restore them to a high finish. Now here in the States, everybody loves original patina. Rusty sweaty, the crustier the better! Haha!
Good! I'm up for sale and will retire on the profit. Find me an old bike in Arizona and I'll move in!
yamageddon
XS650 Addict
Nice pictures! I've noticed most of the dirt is from standing still and not from riding, looks pretty clean. By the looks of it it seemed that no one touched the bolts, nuts and Phillips head screws. It's in a great shape, no rust, untouched. I think it's very rare if you bump into a bike like this. Nice one!
Yes I think you're right, most of what I'm seeing looks untouched. I feel as though I'm the fist one turning some of these bolts and screws since they were put there by the factory.
XS650D
XS650 Junkie
Sweet find Mailman!!
I am currently looking for a 70 thru 72 in Similar condition just to have a look at.
What I would really like to know when u get it all running is how it compares to the 76 u currently have
running, handling power ride ect. Ive read the early bikes were real shakers with poor handling but theres no disputing
the fact that they are with out a doubt the BEST looking xs650,s of all time. I think its so cool that something that old (I was 9 years old when that bike was built) is still in that condition.Its like finding Dinosaur bones.Its amazing, Luv it.
The Muffler pipes and header pipes are usually shot but yours look New. Best sounding xs650,s of all time!
I am currently looking for a 70 thru 72 in Similar condition just to have a look at.
What I would really like to know when u get it all running is how it compares to the 76 u currently have
running, handling power ride ect. Ive read the early bikes were real shakers with poor handling but theres no disputing
the fact that they are with out a doubt the BEST looking xs650,s of all time. I think its so cool that something that old (I was 9 years old when that bike was built) is still in that condition.Its like finding Dinosaur bones.Its amazing, Luv it.
The Muffler pipes and header pipes are usually shot but yours look New. Best sounding xs650,s of all time!
I wonder what the sun strainer looks like?
Do I sense another flat black hardtail bar-hopper build coming on?!! 
Man I'd love to get an early model like this one.
Man I'd love to get an early model like this one.
Thank you! I’ll tell you what I do know right now. I absolutely love the way this bike sounds! It also feels smaller in just about every way. It looks lower too ( maybe the suspension is just sacked, Haha)
Do I sense another flat black hardtail bar-hopper build coming on?!!
Man I'd love to get an early model like this one.
How’d you know? I was just breaking out the sawzall!
I never even thought about the strap, it didn’t have one, no what I was talking about was the rubber cushion the battery sits on, it’s all rotted and smushed.
The what?
I think he meant sump strainer.
Or cheesemakers, I'm not sure.
Or cheesemakers, I'm not sure.
If you haven't done so already, I suggest going to the xscafe site and downloading the XS2 parts manual. I have a 70-71-72 version and I'm pretty sure that's where I got it. Most of the current listings on part sites differ. They have omissions and/or changed parts numbers for some stuff.
Besides that bottom pad there was also a rubber "band" fitted around the battery about half way up. Neither of those parts are available anymore so you may just have to make something up. The later bikes use a bigger battery so the full rubber boot from that one probably isn't an option. The diagram lists the battery strap as still being available but I think that's the longer XS1 version. The XS2 uses a short strap similar to the later models. But, I think it differs slightly. MikesXS sells it but lists a different one for the later bikes.
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1972/XS2/ELECTRICAL/parts.html
Besides that bottom pad there was also a rubber "band" fitted around the battery about half way up. Neither of those parts are available anymore so you may just have to make something up. The later bikes use a bigger battery so the full rubber boot from that one probably isn't an option. The diagram lists the battery strap as still being available but I think that's the longer XS1 version. The XS2 uses a short strap similar to the later models. But, I think it differs slightly. MikesXS sells it but lists a different one for the later bikes.
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1972/XS2/ELECTRICAL/parts.html
Thank you 5 Twins! I appreciate the info.
And I go to XS Cafe and download that catalog toot sweet!
And I go to XS Cafe and download that catalog toot sweet!
