Jeeter
XS650 Addict
So, I've been doing the research on the engine. So far it looks like:
- PMA (kick only .. uh ... I think, I hope I'm up to kickstarting it).
- Rephasing.
- 750cc.
As well as the obvious such as Mikuni round slides, Pamco ignition kit, Ascot-style right-side-exit 2:1 pipes with some sort of Supertrapp on the end of it, other niceties like oil cooler, bla bla.
To me this configuration seems highly appropriate given the nature of the bike. I'm a little unsure about the kick-only decision, however even at my towering height of 5'6" and weighing in at an Army-Tank solidness of about 170 pounds soakin' wet I had no troubles kicking over my 1978 TT500. It's all a matter of technique and knowing how to feel what timing position the engine is in with your leg (I didn't need to use the sight glass after owning it for about a week). Just set up the engine, ratchet the kicker all the way up, and put some ass into it. Vroom every time. I'm hoping the XS650 will be a similar experience. I don't know what static compression I'll be running yet but I am hoping I'll be ok to start it if the compression is no higher than about 9.5:1 or so.
My TT was an actual TT, not an XT. So it had no provisions for lights. I had the dealer install a Preston Petty lighting kit on the TT to make it street-legal-ish. All the same drawbacks such as no lights when the engine isn't running, headlight flicker at idle, and a faked brake light (I had to turn on the headlight during the daytime to pretend I had a brakelight if the po-po was behind me). The idea of that dirt-simple setup like that for THIS bike appeals to me.
Ok, so how practical is all of this? Just to say it, I'm not concerned with turn signals (not required here, hand signals are fine). I plan on running only a tach and oil pressure guages, so minimal electrical issues there. Are there prefered PMA setups?
Oh and also are the Mikes big bore barrel kits made by Heiden Tuning? They sure look like Heiden stuff.
Any help on these ideas would be - um - helpful (I'm such an imaginative writer geez!).
PICS: Almost forgot. where can I locate various machined/deeply finned access covers like these on this engine/bike? This bike is a project belonging to a forum member, I got the pics from the gallery. Thank you.
- PMA (kick only .. uh ... I think, I hope I'm up to kickstarting it).
- Rephasing.
- 750cc.
As well as the obvious such as Mikuni round slides, Pamco ignition kit, Ascot-style right-side-exit 2:1 pipes with some sort of Supertrapp on the end of it, other niceties like oil cooler, bla bla.
To me this configuration seems highly appropriate given the nature of the bike. I'm a little unsure about the kick-only decision, however even at my towering height of 5'6" and weighing in at an Army-Tank solidness of about 170 pounds soakin' wet I had no troubles kicking over my 1978 TT500. It's all a matter of technique and knowing how to feel what timing position the engine is in with your leg (I didn't need to use the sight glass after owning it for about a week). Just set up the engine, ratchet the kicker all the way up, and put some ass into it. Vroom every time. I'm hoping the XS650 will be a similar experience. I don't know what static compression I'll be running yet but I am hoping I'll be ok to start it if the compression is no higher than about 9.5:1 or so.
My TT was an actual TT, not an XT. So it had no provisions for lights. I had the dealer install a Preston Petty lighting kit on the TT to make it street-legal-ish. All the same drawbacks such as no lights when the engine isn't running, headlight flicker at idle, and a faked brake light (I had to turn on the headlight during the daytime to pretend I had a brakelight if the po-po was behind me). The idea of that dirt-simple setup like that for THIS bike appeals to me.
Ok, so how practical is all of this? Just to say it, I'm not concerned with turn signals (not required here, hand signals are fine). I plan on running only a tach and oil pressure guages, so minimal electrical issues there. Are there prefered PMA setups?
Oh and also are the Mikes big bore barrel kits made by Heiden Tuning? They sure look like Heiden stuff.
Any help on these ideas would be - um - helpful (I'm such an imaginative writer geez!).
PICS: Almost forgot. where can I locate various machined/deeply finned access covers like these on this engine/bike? This bike is a project belonging to a forum member, I got the pics from the gallery. Thank you.