Rat Racer - 1980 XS650 - MA

Hey all,

Pardon my inability to figure this out on my own...

I have had a popping sound coming from my right side exhaust for as long as I've had it running.
I went through the typical cam chain, valve lash, etc procedure and came to the points and timing.

Now, all the stuff I've found on points ignitions and electronic ignitions do not correlate to what I am seeing here.
I just need a nod from the group about the following:

1. Is this an electronic ignition (all inclinations point to "yes").
2. How the hell do I set timing on an (this) electronic ignition?
3. What kind of ignition is this?
4. Is this an ignition? lol

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Hi Xonix,
1) yes your bike still has the stock 1980 and newer stock electronic ignition.
2) You can't. The XS650 electronic ignition is set at the factory and there is no provision for you to mess with it.
3) It's called TCI (Transistor Controlled Ignition) The little black dot on the rotor's outer pickup ring (clean that black smear off of yours BTW)
is a magnet that triggers that oval black sender (shown behind your shifter pedal) to send pulses to the TCI that's bolted underneath the battery holder
(which location may seem a bit daft but it's about the most vibration proofed place on the bike) The TCI then fires up the dual coil to give a "wasted spark" ignition.
4) No, those are the housings where the earlier models points and advance mechanism used to live. The Mfrs kept them for the same reason the left front valve cover is held on by four M8 studs rather than the three M6 studs that hold on the others. Yamaha were too cheap to change them even if they were no longer needed.
 
You shouldn't have to adjust your ignition. It was pre-set at the factory and that setting should never change. Your right side popping is probably carb related, as in you didn't get them clean enough. By the way, your carbs look to be an earlier set, probably from a '78-'79 model. They are BS38s. The '80 came with BS34s.
 
Cranked up the gas on the right side and shes running much better.
Just trying to go through all the steps before jumping straight to the carbs.

Thanks all!
 
Hey guys,

I'm misfiring at high RPMs and my experience with this issue in the past tells me to look at the old ignition coil.
Looking to order one from mikes XS today and wanted to get your thoughts regarding options.

My 1980 has the factory TCI ignition so I was looking at the following options:

Ultimate High Output Coil
https://www.mikesxs.net/parts/yamaha-xs650-ultimate-high-output-coil

And the High Performance Dual Output Ignition Coil
https://www.mikesxs.net/parts/yamaha-xs650-high-perf-dual-output-ignition-coil-oem-3g1-82310-60


It looks like they are both dual output, and both will blow up if you run them without one of the spark plugs attached (is this a real concern?).
I would prefer to not have to worry too much about blowing my coil up if I am fiddling around in the future diagnosing an issue.

Anyone have any thoughts or experience with these coils?

Thanks again!
 
For awhile people were reporting the spade connections were breaking/coming loose from one of Mikes coils.
I don't remember which one. It may pay to add a little epoxy to the base of the spade connections before you try to hook up the wires?
 
Thanks!
I'm in Lowell.
Loving riding and working on this bike.

Pumped that there is such a great forum of knowledgeable xs riders here.

I ended up ordering the Ultimate Coil. Hoping it shows up quick cause my bike starts bucking at 70mph on rt 3! 0_0
 
If you haven't removed the plug wire boots and checked the connection they corrode it could be your problem . I found the wires on mine corroded and cut the end of the wire enough to get to clean wire and reinstalled the boots. They screw into the wire and also need cleaning.
 
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