New 74 xs owner and rider.

[Howlinwolfxs]

Just picked up my first bike ever! Its a 74 yamaha 650, im assuming xs till i can get some specifics and get into it a little. The good? The bike was free, and has been parked inside for at LEAST the last 6 years.

The bad:
Rusty tank
no brakes
clutch was slipping when parked
currently only runs on one calender
Electric start makes this awful howling noise

 

[nj1639]

Pics or it didn't happen........welcome aboard!
There's a thread on rust removal from the tank, pretty thorough. Front brake calipers are notorious for sticking closed on bikes that have sat for a long time, best to not even try the front brake on a barn find untill you get it home and sitting where it's going to be for a while. Clutch could be adjusted, crap car motor oil or worn to name a few things..........Running on one cylinder could be a plethora of things. How's compression and how many miles on her?

 

[Howlinwolfxs]

I will post pics later, im about to leave for work. the front caliper isnt stuck i think, there is no pressure on the brake handle. It was parked in my dads shop, hasnt been licensed in 6 years. Im going to try the clutch adjustment. It kicks over weak, and i havnt had time to get it to run myself, so im unsure of the compression. the odo reads 11035

 

[Howlinwolfxs]

here is a picture

 

[tonyc]

Good start and I like the price. It looks better than what I started with.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Nice find! Here is the goalpost for you.

 

[Howlinwolfxs]

I would love to rechrome every thing, but for now, a real good clean and polish will have to suffice. Wish it were warmer, so I actually wanted to work

 

[Sub xs650]

Looks pretty clean for how old it is and u can beat the prices ether dose the starter make a grinding clanking sound besides the howling noise

 

[Howlinwolfxs]

I think so

 

[Sub xs650]

It could be the gears in there mine dose the same noise mines missing a fue teeth lol

 

[Howlinwolfxs]

my main goal is to have it kick over reliably, but the electric start would be nice, if my wife wants to ride

a few pictures!

 

[Sub xs650]

I'm keeping both just incase my knee acts up easer

 

[Howlinwolfxs]

decided to work in the cold today. this took me about 30 minutes

 

[XSLeo]

A 74 is the TX650A Except for the color it's the same as the 75 XS650B. The 74 is when they did major upgrades to the frame and changed from the 256 engine to the 447 engine.
Running on one cylinder is usually dirty carb bad points or plug on that cylinder.
The first thing I suggest you do is get a repair manual. something like item #160939205653 on Ebay, $39, free shipping.
download www.amckayltd.com/carbguide.pdf
Good find on the bike.
Leo

 

[Howlinwolfxs]

darn. i feel silly.

 

[mrtwowheel]

Why feel silly? TX650's are as XS as any other XS.

 

[azman857]

Half the fun is bringing them back to life. Yours looks great for her age. Keep the pics comming!

 

[Howlinwolfxs]

what is the little lever on my left carb? there isnt one on the right.

She fired today, on a little carb cleaner, im going to get fuel tomorrow.

 

[mrtwowheel]

what is the little lever on my left carb? there isnt one on the right.

She fired today, on a little carb cleaner, im going to get fuel tomorrow.

That will be your choke.

Scott

 

[mrtwowheel]

It may be worth it to dump out your tank and rinse it with some gas before putting good fuel in there. Cleaning petcocks, screens and adding fuel filters might be next. I'm excited for you.

Scott