Howdy, all. New to this forum, but not to motorcycles or XS650s. I'm a retired senior citizen who's been on bikes since age 13, in the mid 1960s, and have had 50-some motorcycles of all makes and types, including a total of 5 Yamaha XS650s over the years. First was in early 1970s, while in the Army at Ft. Bliss, TX. Next was after the Army, early 80s, an old decompression-lever 650, which went to my oldest son, who neglected it and sold it. Next was a brand-new Heritage Special, stolen off my porch in about 1986. A couple years later I found a ratty XS owned by an alcoholic doctor who lost his license; that bike ended up lost in garage fire after I spent a lot of time to refurbish it. After that I was a little scared of the XS, thinking they (or I) was jinxed, and passed on a couple. Finally, after retiring, I found a low-mileage but customized and neglected XS, which became a winter project. I rebuilt the top end (not necessary, just as a formality), gutted and replaced the electrical system (PMA, etc), new steering head bearings, Tarozzi fork brace, new swingarm needle bearings, wheel bearings, clutch push-rod seal, rebuilt carbs and petcocks, paint, tires, brakes, etc., and got rid of the semi-ape handlebars and king/queen seat with built-in sissybar, and generally refurbished everything I could without changing the original character of the bike. It is one of several bikes in my garage now, but a real joy to ride around the local roads in southern New Mexico. Agile, tractable, enough torque and speed to keep up with traffic, but not a rocket or loud drag racer. Just right for an old man.
I tried to be subtle with the cosmetics, nothing flashy, with a stock seat, lower handlebars, old round taillight. It's not an attention-magnet, but those in the know can appreciate this 43-year-old relic for what it is.
I still do all my own wrenching on everything, and like the simplicity and robust engineering of the XS (retired engineer). And I love carburetors and points and kick starter and all the old-school features which mean I never have to worry about a bad ECU, or injectors, or low battery or other ailments which affect modern, high-tech marvels.
This XS is surprisingly thrifty, easily delivering 60+mpg in normal, mixed riding. I don't remember my old ones being quite so economical, but I probably thrashed them a bit more, when every stoplight was a dragrace countdown... The red picture is how I found it, and the green is its current guise. Almost always starts first kick, which I prefer to the electric starter (which works just fine).
A lot of XS2 lovers here!
