New to the xs650 world

[Steve81]

Hows it going just got my first 81 xs650 the other day gonna turn it into a scramble or cafe racer so i started working on the bike last night and mind you the kid i got it from has destroyed the wiring the hole system wasnt even attatched so one of my many questions for you guys is what would be the bare essentials i need for this bike cause eletrical has never been my strong suit. But my overall im only gonna put my essentials on like the turn signals speed odometer and the head light and brake lights. Now my other problem ive run in to is the transmission i was turning the motor over by hand last night and shifting threw my gears and once i got to 2nd it looks like from what i can see either the shift forks are bad in crank case or one of the gears are bad cause the gears are sliping. working on getting it apart today but if anyone has any suggestions or if they have had this problem before let me know thanks for your time and sorry for the long read

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

Welcome to the forum, Steve81.

For starters, have a look thru these informative newcomer's threads:

http://www.xs650.com/threads/367
http://www.xs650.com/threads/30569

These threads cover some transmission problems that go into detail that should help with diagnosing your 2nd gear issue:

http://www.xs650.com/threads/overdrive-5th-gear-dropping-slipping-out-to-neutral.41539/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/first-gear-issue.49825/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/finding-neutral-while-stopped-and-in-gear.47568/

 

[XSLeo]

Often the transmission won't act like it should without the engine running and moving under it's own power.
On your 81, you need the complete ignition to make it run. You need the complete charging system to get it to charge the battery.
If you stock wiring harness is pretty torn up I would build one.
Your bike has the TCI or Transistor Controlled Ignition, which consists of the pick ups mounted on the stator, a magnet in the rotor , the TCI box, and the 80 up charging system which consists of the stator, rotor and a solid state combo reg/rec.
I like this wiring diagram. It shows the basic points ignition/separate regulator and rectifier. In boxes it shows the TCI and combo reg/rec, just swap the boxes.
It leaves out a lot of the safety stuff, like the clutch switch, This just operates a relay that won't let the bike's starter run unless the bikes in neutral or the clutch lever is pulled. Pretty much a nuisance.
In the upper right corner is the e-start. You can leave that out if you want just kick start.
Leo

 

[XSLeo]

Oh, Just thought of this, the diagram doesn't show turn signals. Easy to add. Either run a wire from the brake light fuse for power or add another fuse. Run power to the flasher, to the switch. to lights.
Leo