Michaelo
650Mick
It's been raining for days, lots of road muck, so a wash and polish for 4 hours....still raining though...
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What have you done to your XS today?
- Thread starter I am Carbon
- Start date
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- maintenance
Michaelo
650Mick
Was even more carried away later in the day and polished the flash new brass stud washers.....where does it end? Ha!
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cbuckle
XS650 Enthusiast
very nice ! well done for getting it finished, so many restorations founder at the last hurdle and get shoved to the back of the garage for years.
Hope you get some good rides in before winter.
DanielBlack
XS650 Junkie
Yesterday:
Titled, registered, insured. Washed, degreased. Started the process of PMing and recon to see what state my new steed is in.
Oil & filter change. The old oil was dirty of course, but no indication of fuel or water. As you can see, there was some plastic and aluminum bits. More plastic than aluminum. I replaced the RH filter with a new one and returned the existing (thanks PO!) good-condition reinforced sump filter after a quick clean. When do these cam guide droppings become an issue worthy of replacement?
Checked cam chain tension, good. Checked valve clearances, intakes were each just slightly more open than spec. Adjusted rear brake, 3" pedal travel was a bit much.
Recon results:
Front tire is showing its long life in a dry climate. A Michelin Pilot Activ 100/90 is waiting for me at the tire shop.
Brake line is original and the exterior jacket is cracked along the whole length. The master cylinder's reservoir is shot. Stainless line, a new M/C, and Vesrah pads are scheduled to arrive today from Mr. Morse.
I'll need a new chain and sprockets soon, some of the rear teeth are just starting to horn. I'll replace the rear tire, shoes, chain and sprockets all in one go pretty soon.
Carbs. They're no doubt in need of a rebuild. I've attempted to sync via the dead cylinder method, but I know I have other issues. When I raise the RPM to ~1800 and pull the RH plug, the RPMs drop maybe 200 or so. Pulling the LH plug immediately kills the engine. Plugs definitely need replacing, so I'll do that (and set things to book spec) before attempting further carb adjust.
Clutch: Shifts very nicely, but can be tough to find neutral. This might be my own getting used to a motorcycle shift. My previous ride, an almost classic scooter, shifted by twisting the left grip with visual index markings.
What else did I do? Put her on the road for the first time since I got her a week ago. I've never enjoyed my commute more than I did last night. Given the known carb imbalance I'm glad my commute's only 4 miles, but I know for sure that once I dial her in I'll be taking the looong way home most days.
Tomorrow morning I'm going to meet up with a local vintage motorcycle club. Hoping they can offer advice specific to my machine after an in-person look and listen.
Daniel
Titled, registered, insured. Washed, degreased. Started the process of PMing and recon to see what state my new steed is in.
Oil & filter change. The old oil was dirty of course, but no indication of fuel or water. As you can see, there was some plastic and aluminum bits. More plastic than aluminum. I replaced the RH filter with a new one and returned the existing (thanks PO!) good-condition reinforced sump filter after a quick clean. When do these cam guide droppings become an issue worthy of replacement?
Checked cam chain tension, good. Checked valve clearances, intakes were each just slightly more open than spec. Adjusted rear brake, 3" pedal travel was a bit much.
Recon results:
Front tire is showing its long life in a dry climate. A Michelin Pilot Activ 100/90 is waiting for me at the tire shop.
Brake line is original and the exterior jacket is cracked along the whole length. The master cylinder's reservoir is shot. Stainless line, a new M/C, and Vesrah pads are scheduled to arrive today from Mr. Morse.
I'll need a new chain and sprockets soon, some of the rear teeth are just starting to horn. I'll replace the rear tire, shoes, chain and sprockets all in one go pretty soon.
Carbs. They're no doubt in need of a rebuild. I've attempted to sync via the dead cylinder method, but I know I have other issues. When I raise the RPM to ~1800 and pull the RH plug, the RPMs drop maybe 200 or so. Pulling the LH plug immediately kills the engine. Plugs definitely need replacing, so I'll do that (and set things to book spec) before attempting further carb adjust.
Clutch: Shifts very nicely, but can be tough to find neutral. This might be my own getting used to a motorcycle shift. My previous ride, an almost classic scooter, shifted by twisting the left grip with visual index markings.
What else did I do? Put her on the road for the first time since I got her a week ago. I've never enjoyed my commute more than I did last night. Given the known carb imbalance I'm glad my commute's only 4 miles, but I know for sure that once I dial her in I'll be taking the looong way home most days.
Tomorrow morning I'm going to meet up with a local vintage motorcycle club. Hoping they can offer advice specific to my machine after an in-person look and listen.
Daniel
Single stainless braided hose installed on the front, got rid of the splitter. Replaced the sealed beam with MikesXS H4 conversion. Installed rubbers at the RH side cover. Bought a battery charger and left to fully charge the battery to try and do proper investigation on the electricals.
@ Daniel Black. Very nice. You will be leaving for work early to make that drive 10 miles instead of 4.
DanielBlack
XS650 Junkie
Yup, last night's 4mi commute stretched to 15.
I played with the carbs again and it's running a little better. I returned both mix screws to the book spec and then slowly found the best idle with both cylinders running (pulling the L plug still kills the motor immediately), making the same adjustments to both sides. 2.25 turns out vs. the spec 1.25. It's better, not perfect. I'm going to leave them as is until I've worked down the list methodically. Plugs need replacing for sure, I haven't checked spark, resistance, etc. The carbs themselves haven't been cleaned since 2009 or '10. Plenty of stuff to do and check before I come to all y'all for deeper advice.
This morning I rode out to meet up with the local antique motorcycle club. Very welcoming, many compliments from the 6 or 7 guys, all riding H-D pan and shovelheads. They let me know about a big swap happening next month which I hope to go to with the gent who helped me acquire my XS. They also gave me the contact of the local vintage Japanese club.
On my way there, I took 'Stella' up to 60mph. Some expected vibe, but not too bad and I know it'll get smoother once the plugs are replaced and the carbs get sorted out. Cruising at 60 in 5th had me at about 4000rpm. I'm not positive, but I believe the sprockets are stock.
Finding neutral and keeping track of what gear I'm in is getting easier with use. I am needing to think about it less and less.
D
I played with the carbs again and it's running a little better. I returned both mix screws to the book spec and then slowly found the best idle with both cylinders running (pulling the L plug still kills the motor immediately), making the same adjustments to both sides. 2.25 turns out vs. the spec 1.25. It's better, not perfect. I'm going to leave them as is until I've worked down the list methodically. Plugs need replacing for sure, I haven't checked spark, resistance, etc. The carbs themselves haven't been cleaned since 2009 or '10. Plenty of stuff to do and check before I come to all y'all for deeper advice.
This morning I rode out to meet up with the local antique motorcycle club. Very welcoming, many compliments from the 6 or 7 guys, all riding H-D pan and shovelheads. They let me know about a big swap happening next month which I hope to go to with the gent who helped me acquire my XS. They also gave me the contact of the local vintage Japanese club.
On my way there, I took 'Stella' up to 60mph. Some expected vibe, but not too bad and I know it'll get smoother once the plugs are replaced and the carbs get sorted out. Cruising at 60 in 5th had me at about 4000rpm. I'm not positive, but I believe the sprockets are stock.
Finding neutral and keeping track of what gear I'm in is getting easier with use. I am needing to think about it less and less.
D
I took the wheels off one XS650 and swapped them with another XS650, so I'd have good tires to get me to the Smoky Mountain Rendezvous!
trailcarnage
XS650 Lurker
My tank delivered yesterday so I tried to install it only to find that the coil and neck gusset were in the way so I stripped them and the other misc bracketry. I also bent and installed new seat stays. I am totally stoked at the results!
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wrenchjohns
XS650 Addict
I got the stupid idea that tightening the side stand bolt might improve the lean angle, OOPS! The blasted bolt broke, I guess its really a good thing that the modified '77 main stand works. Maybe get it fixed next weekend.
After properly charging the battery overnight and using a decent VOM bike starts fine, still need some carburetor adjustment, maybe check spark cabling too, revving up gives me 14.3V so charging systems works fine. Def need brushes. Ordered from MikesXS along with a new front master cylinder. Ordered new tires too, went with Avon's AM26 Roadrider, read the best about the compound performance on cornering, dry and wet.
great stuff here guys, Love hearing all these back on the road sagas!
Yamaha77
Banned
wrenchjohns
XS650 Addict
today, installed a new side stand to replace the old bent and broken one. then put a new repop left handlebar switch required some rewire. then a steam problem arose damn, no more steam! must be nap time john
An old bud showed up on his Suzuki 250 so we chatted for a while then I fired up the resto mod and escorted him home via the back roads. A GOOD day.
pckopp
XS650 Addict
Oops. I think I lost the rear hub collar, item 20 in most drawings. Must have gotten tossed with the bearings somehow. Dunno.
I have a parts bike that has one but I am hoping to get that bike back on the road, too. Hope I can order one. Or buy it somewhere.
< bad words... >
I have a parts bike that has one but I am hoping to get that bike back on the road, too. Hope I can order one. Or buy it somewhere.
< bad words... >
