NewestOnTheBlock
XS650 Addict
Hey everyone, new to the forums and i'm looking for some insight. Just got a 79' (I think, or maybe 80') XS650.
Just got the bike from a relative. He was planning on doing a full restoration but he has no time on his hands, so I got it for next to nothing. He says he got the bike in running condition, but it needed some "TLC". The bike had not been ran since March, and has been sitting in the garage.
So today I took the bike out. First thing, I charged the battery (I believe the one in it is from walmart?). Next, I noticed their was no motor oil, He gave me 3 quarts of 20w50 and so I put in 2 bottles (walmart brand i think). Had some trouble getting the bike to start, but eventually it did. Warmed it up for 5 minutes or so, got a full tank of gas, then took it out in the local neighborhood.
The first 20-30 minutes were great. The bike was responsive, great acceleration, great breaking. I was ecstatic over it. I decided to take the bike out a little farther, while still staying on the side roads in case anything happened.
From here, everything went downhill. What should have been less than a hour ride turned into nearly 3 hours. The bike broke down maybe 4-6 times, I had horrible trouble starting the bike each time, and the revs were all over the board. Everything that felt great in the first part of the ride was now horrible..........Thankfully the brakes we're still functioning normally.......or should I say reliably.
Here is what I noticed......
A) At random points (fast, slow and/or cruising) the bike would act as if it was running out of gas. I made sure the gas valve from the tank was open, and of course I had a full tank. Eventually it would "flutter" and then just go dead. Both the engine/motor and the electrical. At which point I would pull over, and attempt to start it again via electrical/kick start. This took between 5-10 minutes each time. I could go maybe go 1/2mile to 2 miles between each start before it would die again.
B) The battery seemed weak and unable to hold a charge. Starting the bike each time made me nervous because I can see it gradually lose what little charge it had left. Eventually turning over just once or twice (if "turning over" is the proper terminology).I was told that the XS650 had a not-so-great charging system, but how bad is it? I imagine the combination of a walmart-brand battery and charging system played a big part in this.
C) The revs we're all over the place after the first 30 minutes. Prior it would idle between 1200-1500. Either during the ride and/or when I started the bike up again, it would sky rocket up to 4000-5000 rpm and stay up there. I would have to turn the bike off, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes it would bring it back down to 1200-1500rpm, sometimes it would not and I would have to repeat. Additionally, when it was idling at those high rpm's, when I would rev it it would respond. But, it would stay at the highest point and very....VERY.... slowly come back down. Example: Say its ideling at 4500rpm, I would burp it up to 6000rpm. It would then stay at 6000 for 3-6 seconds and very slowly return back to 4500rpm.
D) When I eventually (and pain-stakingly) got back home, I noticed a oil leak. Coming from the left side, near the head of the engine. Nothing large, not pouring out. But still obvious enough to catch my attention. This I expected from a bike this old. I do not think the engine has ever been rebuilt.
E) I forgot to mention, Prior to taking out the bike, when I was preparing to ride (charging battery, adding motor oil) I took a look at the oil filter. I was told that it could be taken out, washed and reused. When I pulled it out, I noticed metal shavings, even what looked like gold bristle shavings? like from a metal brush....
What do you guys make of this? is each issue related or a problem of their own?
Is it worth it to fix up this bike? I keep asking myself that. The first 30minutes we're fantastic and everything I could imagine. The last 2+ hours was a night mare. I understand some work will be needed, and thats understandable. But where is the cutoff? I honestly would like to get this bike in good running condition.
Just got the bike from a relative. He was planning on doing a full restoration but he has no time on his hands, so I got it for next to nothing. He says he got the bike in running condition, but it needed some "TLC". The bike had not been ran since March, and has been sitting in the garage.
So today I took the bike out. First thing, I charged the battery (I believe the one in it is from walmart?). Next, I noticed their was no motor oil, He gave me 3 quarts of 20w50 and so I put in 2 bottles (walmart brand i think). Had some trouble getting the bike to start, but eventually it did. Warmed it up for 5 minutes or so, got a full tank of gas, then took it out in the local neighborhood.
The first 20-30 minutes were great. The bike was responsive, great acceleration, great breaking. I was ecstatic over it. I decided to take the bike out a little farther, while still staying on the side roads in case anything happened.
From here, everything went downhill. What should have been less than a hour ride turned into nearly 3 hours. The bike broke down maybe 4-6 times, I had horrible trouble starting the bike each time, and the revs were all over the board. Everything that felt great in the first part of the ride was now horrible..........Thankfully the brakes we're still functioning normally.......or should I say reliably.
Here is what I noticed......
A) At random points (fast, slow and/or cruising) the bike would act as if it was running out of gas. I made sure the gas valve from the tank was open, and of course I had a full tank. Eventually it would "flutter" and then just go dead. Both the engine/motor and the electrical. At which point I would pull over, and attempt to start it again via electrical/kick start. This took between 5-10 minutes each time. I could go maybe go 1/2mile to 2 miles between each start before it would die again.
B) The battery seemed weak and unable to hold a charge. Starting the bike each time made me nervous because I can see it gradually lose what little charge it had left. Eventually turning over just once or twice (if "turning over" is the proper terminology).I was told that the XS650 had a not-so-great charging system, but how bad is it? I imagine the combination of a walmart-brand battery and charging system played a big part in this.
C) The revs we're all over the place after the first 30 minutes. Prior it would idle between 1200-1500. Either during the ride and/or when I started the bike up again, it would sky rocket up to 4000-5000 rpm and stay up there. I would have to turn the bike off, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes it would bring it back down to 1200-1500rpm, sometimes it would not and I would have to repeat. Additionally, when it was idling at those high rpm's, when I would rev it it would respond. But, it would stay at the highest point and very....VERY.... slowly come back down. Example: Say its ideling at 4500rpm, I would burp it up to 6000rpm. It would then stay at 6000 for 3-6 seconds and very slowly return back to 4500rpm.
D) When I eventually (and pain-stakingly) got back home, I noticed a oil leak. Coming from the left side, near the head of the engine. Nothing large, not pouring out. But still obvious enough to catch my attention. This I expected from a bike this old. I do not think the engine has ever been rebuilt.
E) I forgot to mention, Prior to taking out the bike, when I was preparing to ride (charging battery, adding motor oil) I took a look at the oil filter. I was told that it could be taken out, washed and reused. When I pulled it out, I noticed metal shavings, even what looked like gold bristle shavings? like from a metal brush....
What do you guys make of this? is each issue related or a problem of their own?
Is it worth it to fix up this bike? I keep asking myself that. The first 30minutes we're fantastic and everything I could imagine. The last 2+ hours was a night mare. I understand some work will be needed, and thats understandable. But where is the cutoff? I honestly would like to get this bike in good running condition.
