Tecrekka
XS650 Enthusiast
Hello everyone. I am so thankful to have this resource for this beautiful bike that I have. For a cycle that is touted by some as one of the most reliable made at the time, I have yet to see this reliability. I bought this 1970 XS1 as a rebuilt wall decoration about 4 years ago. When I purchased it, it had been tore down and rebuilt, only needing the wiring harness installed and the carbs tuned/synchronized. Due to being a full time student and employed full time, it was easier for me to take the bike to have someone do this work than to do it myself. It has never been "right". After about 3-4 trips to the mechanic and about $1500-2000 of work, it's is still not "right". Last year was the last time I rode it because the plugs kept fouling out bad. As a bandage to the situation I carried a plug wrench, wire brush and spare set of plugs It finally got so bad that I parked the bike and really haven't touched it in over a year. I had recently had another old bike act the same way and it burnt a valve and rings, and I didn't want that to happen here, too.
So here I am, the mechanic who has had me come back and back again suggests that I need a top end rebuild, but that just doesn't seem right to me, or others that I have described the situation to.
Basically, if I was flat out the bike was just fine. Highway and side roads were all good until I had to idle down to say, stop for a light. Then it woulds stall and the plugs would come out black, but dry.
I've read that it could be jetted wrong, so I tore them down today just to see what I had going on in there.
Attached are several photos, as you can see the jets are "25" and I'm not sure how to ID the others. I have downloaded and read the carb guide and all other carb tech guides, but I still seem to be a bit unclear on what is going on.
As you can see the photos of the plugs now aren't bad, I think I cleaned them off right before I put the bike up last time.
In addition, I would think that these are B38's but there is not mixture screw, as outlined in the carb guide. I have also attached a photo of the only stamp on the carb, if anyone can help me positively identify these carbs.
I am at about 2000' above sea level, and I am running K&N pods.
Thanks in advance for any input, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I am so READY to get on this BIKE AGAIN!
So here I am, the mechanic who has had me come back and back again suggests that I need a top end rebuild, but that just doesn't seem right to me, or others that I have described the situation to.
Basically, if I was flat out the bike was just fine. Highway and side roads were all good until I had to idle down to say, stop for a light. Then it woulds stall and the plugs would come out black, but dry.
I've read that it could be jetted wrong, so I tore them down today just to see what I had going on in there.
Attached are several photos, as you can see the jets are "25" and I'm not sure how to ID the others. I have downloaded and read the carb guide and all other carb tech guides, but I still seem to be a bit unclear on what is going on.
As you can see the photos of the plugs now aren't bad, I think I cleaned them off right before I put the bike up last time.
In addition, I would think that these are B38's but there is not mixture screw, as outlined in the carb guide. I have also attached a photo of the only stamp on the carb, if anyone can help me positively identify these carbs.
I am at about 2000' above sea level, and I am running K&N pods.
Thanks in advance for any input, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I am so READY to get on this BIKE AGAIN!