Newbie in the House - from UK - 1978 Special

[member16874]

Back in 1980 I had an XS650B - as an 18 yr old I thrashed the living daylights out of it (like you do) trying to keep up with my mates on their RD400's, GS1000's...etc.

In the end it started to rattle & smoke so I swapped it for a tidy RD250.....

Anyhow +30 years later & over 50 bikes passed thru' my hands, I finally tracked down a scruffy runner locally - for reasonable £££££££'s - they do seem rather more expensive nowadays

So - I saw this one on eBay, only 20 miles down the road...... I went over and checked it out..... it was up for £1495 - road legal with a years ticket (MOT & tax) but in need of a fair bit of TLC I took it for a quick spin and even thought it was idling a bit lumpy (spitting) it pulled well and didn't sound to noisy mechanically..... so I offered £1300 and a deal was done.

It also comes with a vgc spare head, good rear tyre, twin pipes & a Haynes manual.... picking it up tomorrow

 

[scabber]

Welcome. Nice find the 78 is a good year. Lots of good information here on about fixing and maintenance.

 

[5twins]

..... and they all need fixing and maintenance, lol. I'm helping a local guy with his newly acquired '78 Special. He claims he wants to fix it all up but all he's been doing is riding it basically. It's looking worse and worse, lol. I hope it lasts the season.

 

[nj1639]

The symmetry of these bikes scream for twin pipes....
Looks good and welcome aboard!

 

[peanut]

Hi Pigman welcome to the forum !

Dorset eh? not too far from me then at Merriott. Will you be going to the Japfest at Sparkford Haynes motor museum on the 15th September ? might see ya there.
John

 

[Paulrxs650]

Welcome Pigford!

 

[member16874]

Thanx for the kind welcome all.

Hi Pigman welcome to the forum !

Dorset eh? not too far from me then at Merriott. Will you be going to the Japfest at Sparkford Haynes motor museum on the 15th September ? might see ya there.
John

Hi Peanut - I was chatting to the blokes who are setting it up (in Feb at the Carole Nash Bike show at Shepton Mallet) - but it clashes with me hols maybe see you around sometime - I'm in Sherborne

 

[peanut]

Thanx for the kind welcome all.



Hi Peanut - I was chatting to the blokes who are setting it up (in Feb at the Carole Nash Bike show at Shepton Mallet) - but it clashes with me hols maybe see you around sometime - I'm in Sherborne

Sherborne eh ! I bet they'll just love you thundering up the high street shaking all those grade 1 listed buildings lol
Pity you are missing the fest its right on your doorstep too. We're sure to catch up some time I'm sure .

I think its the Taunton & Bridgewater jap bike club that are setting it up.
http://www.vjmc-tb.co.uk/

I believe the guy who runs Somerset Motorcycles at Yeovil is a committee member . I must visit them some time as they specialize in classic Jap bikes
http://www.somersetmotorcycles.co.uk/
keep in touch
John

 

[member16874]

Sometimes, things sorta get a bit outta hand - and you get carried away - but more of that in a minute......

...... I fitted a nice pair of 3 ohm Dyna coils and the twin pipes today. Next I swapped the bars around for a set of Renthals I had laying about....
...... then I thought I'd give my spare W650 seat a try on the XS.....

RESULT

Back to the weird moment and did you notice the pipes

Awaiting a set of point & condensers to arrive, then I can re-wire the ignition and see if I can get it up & running good

 

[member16874]

Had a good morning - decided to move the Dyna coils as they were too close to the cylinder head and found some longer Taylor HT leads.

Fitted some new plugs abd after a bit o' phaffin' about wheeled her outside and gave her a go...... After a few kicks it backfired once :shock: So I swapped the coil feeds and she started 2nd kick





Appologies for the shite camera video. Took her for a spin around the works yard and she runs real strong - I'm quite impressed how grunty she is

Just need to get it insured and take it for a longer spin - not back home yet as Mrs P still doesn't know

 

[chugg]

Don't apologize Pigford, that's exactly how my bike looks at 70 mph.

 

[5twins]

3 ohm coils aren't ideal for points use. They'll burn the points up rather quickly. You want 4 to 5 ohm coils. It will run as you've seen, but the question is for how long.

 

[Airwolfie]

Sounds loverly!