motorbikerx
XS650 Addict
Today, after flushing crappy fork oil out and adding 170mls synthetic 10wt fork oil the forks were still really lousy, squish yand soft so today jacked the bike up and added 20 mls Moreys and 30 mls extra fork oil to each leg, also a couple of ten cent coins on top of each spring disc for more preload.
Rough I know but just to get bike rideable for now to suss out other problems.
Really needs Fork seals, Progressive springs and Gold Valves as well as 15 W fork oil (maybe fork bushings)
While it was in the air I swung the bars around side to side, to find a gorilla on steroids must've done up the head bearings , tight as buggery and that's what was obviously now making the bike almost un-rideable combined with saggy forks and dragging brakes...dreadful and scary!!! (needs tapered rollers)
Same gorilla that cranked up the sump plugs to around 120 ft lbs is my guess!...and the slop that came out masquerading as oil had to be seen to be believed, sump plug magnets covered in metal sludge and oil that looked like a cross between creamed honey a metallic chocolate milkshake!
Bottom screen broken naturally and side filter that caked with crap it has to be seen to be believed!
While on jack I moved rear wheel to alignment marks and checked chain adjustment.
detected excess swingarm bush play (note for brass bushings)
As I didn't have a replacement oil sump strainer on hand I reassembled without one after a thorough clean and also thoroughly cleaning the side filter.
Then I added 2 litres Penrite mineral 20-60 diesel oil for a flush run. (note to buy strainer)
Before starting again I adjusted cam chain which was a bit out, valves which were quite loose, and chopped half the baffles out of the mufflers so it sounds like a bike not a sewing machine.
Ran bike up to temp for a compression check and found 150 in each after 3-4 electric cranks.....also heard a squeak from rh cylinder
Sprayed carb cleaner around manifold rubbers and sure enough a vacuum leak.
Pulled air filters (did '79 Special come stock with oil foam inside airbox?) then carbs to find carb manifold rubbers shot and breaking up (note for new carb intake rubbers)
New spark plugs now look a bit rich too but still have to clean and check points and set timing (though starts first kick)
Added a fuel stabiliser and lead replacement to the tank of fresh fuel.
Still to do is change brake fluid and check pads for excess wear, a full check of clutch adjustment, bring gear lever up to a better position, check alternator brushes as well as buy a halogen globe to replace the dismal headlight bulb.
Investigate why the speedo and tacho are coming loose out of thier chrome cans.
And bring rear shocks up from softest setting to hardest
A Pamco ignition could be on the cards looking at the pissweak spark when comp testing.
There must be more.....bike has sat idle for 3 years to my knowledge, (tyres dated 2010 so could've sitting longer)
Bikes supposed to have been rebuilt but that's a fib,... fresh paintjob and exterior clean , yes...Rebuild NO...
I think its gonna get one of sorts anyway to bring it to safe roadworthy condition.
May need a few tips along the wayt
Rough I know but just to get bike rideable for now to suss out other problems.
Really needs Fork seals, Progressive springs and Gold Valves as well as 15 W fork oil (maybe fork bushings)
While it was in the air I swung the bars around side to side, to find a gorilla on steroids must've done up the head bearings , tight as buggery and that's what was obviously now making the bike almost un-rideable combined with saggy forks and dragging brakes...dreadful and scary!!! (needs tapered rollers)
Same gorilla that cranked up the sump plugs to around 120 ft lbs is my guess!...and the slop that came out masquerading as oil had to be seen to be believed, sump plug magnets covered in metal sludge and oil that looked like a cross between creamed honey a metallic chocolate milkshake!
Bottom screen broken naturally and side filter that caked with crap it has to be seen to be believed!
While on jack I moved rear wheel to alignment marks and checked chain adjustment.
detected excess swingarm bush play (note for brass bushings)
As I didn't have a replacement oil sump strainer on hand I reassembled without one after a thorough clean and also thoroughly cleaning the side filter.
Then I added 2 litres Penrite mineral 20-60 diesel oil for a flush run. (note to buy strainer)
Before starting again I adjusted cam chain which was a bit out, valves which were quite loose, and chopped half the baffles out of the mufflers so it sounds like a bike not a sewing machine.
Ran bike up to temp for a compression check and found 150 in each after 3-4 electric cranks.....also heard a squeak from rh cylinder
Sprayed carb cleaner around manifold rubbers and sure enough a vacuum leak.
Pulled air filters (did '79 Special come stock with oil foam inside airbox?) then carbs to find carb manifold rubbers shot and breaking up (note for new carb intake rubbers)
New spark plugs now look a bit rich too but still have to clean and check points and set timing (though starts first kick)
Added a fuel stabiliser and lead replacement to the tank of fresh fuel.
Still to do is change brake fluid and check pads for excess wear, a full check of clutch adjustment, bring gear lever up to a better position, check alternator brushes as well as buy a halogen globe to replace the dismal headlight bulb.
Investigate why the speedo and tacho are coming loose out of thier chrome cans.
And bring rear shocks up from softest setting to hardest
A Pamco ignition could be on the cards looking at the pissweak spark when comp testing.
There must be more.....bike has sat idle for 3 years to my knowledge, (tyres dated 2010 so could've sitting longer)
Bikes supposed to have been rebuilt but that's a fib,... fresh paintjob and exterior clean , yes...Rebuild NO...
I think its gonna get one of sorts anyway to bring it to safe roadworthy condition.
May need a few tips along the wayt
.
