PS your headlight will not light unless the motor is running and the charging system working. Other lights tail brake turn etc will work whenever key is turned on.
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What should I be doing?
- Thread starter 1palace
- Start date
sleddog83
XS650 Addict
Ditto what every one else said. Some of those screw heads are too far gone to salvage. You will want to source some replacements somewhere. Like gggGary said, you should label those fuse holders. The manual diagram will explain the wire color coding. After 40 years of dirt, oil and heat, some of the colors may be hard to tell. Given the state of the tail and signal lights, you may want to remove the lighting fuse, before you try starting it up.
Here's an original fuse box. It was strapped on top of the battery .....
All those loose wires you have were wrapped into harnesses and routed down along both sides of the battery.
Also note the battery. As I mentioned earlier, the one you have isn't the correct one. The terminals should be reversed. The positive should be on the right and the negative on the left, as seated on the bike.
All those loose wires you have were wrapped into harnesses and routed down along both sides of the battery.
Also note the battery. As I mentioned earlier, the one you have isn't the correct one. The terminals should be reversed. The positive should be on the right and the negative on the left, as seated on the bike.
Here's an original fuse box. It was strapped on top of the battery .....
All those loose wires you have were wrapped into harnesses and routed down along both sides of the battery.
Also note the battery. As I mentioned earlier, the one you have isn't the correct one. The terminals should be reversed. The positive should be on the right and the negative on the left, as seated on the bike.
I see.. don’t know if it would be easier to invest in another battery or eliminate it all together. It looks pretty intimidating, so I’m leaning towards taking it out entirely. Found three of the yellow things, not four.
- Palace
Eliminating it would involve investing hundreds in a PMA setup. That job is most likely beyond your current abilities.
A new sealed lead acid should be well under a hundred bucks at your local auto parts. That's gonna be your best and cheapest bet.
Assuming your battery is the correct one, take it with you and ask for an inexpensive replacement. You'll need to leave it with them for the core charge anyway. Put up a pic here when you remove it and someone will advise if it's the correct one or not.
14LA2 battery for left hand or the terminals reversed is the original size. And that will make your job easier..
I know what you mean and I know you mean well when you say it, but I’m all in man. In hindsight I could have gotten a Honda Spree or something. It was dumb to just go and buy a classic bike with no experience but I don’t regret it at all. Got nothing else to spend time and money on, already signed up for my safety program course which will help me get my endorsement. And I’m still doin’ my homework dude. Haha. Yeah she’s got her issues, but owning her is still fun to me. Can’t wait to find out what year the engine really is and to throw a new battery in.
- Palace
You might well be right. It’s a lot for a novice, but with our help he may succeed.
Mr Skull
I think you deserve credits for this Telling things in plain English.
It might be things no one wants to hear but it is an experienced well informed position.
The sooner the better that possibility is up the better.
Might even have the possibility to return it getting money back
It might be right it depends on determination and ambitions time.
Personally I find it interesting
I don't think I have ever met anyone that don't knows why the right handle can twist
I believed he joked with us.
Having said that ...the interesting part is can we get it running and as you say can anyone get it running
It is always a difficult part when to throw in the towel . Myself not good at it ..
As I said before keep it simple would be my recommendation. And ask a lot before wrench away
I have seen better looking bikes with people working with metal work as a profession
Not getting them to run.
As for battery I believe $ 100 is high --Around half of that should be possible
If you go to a major auto parts dealer that has been in
business a while and will keep on having customers I do believe they are found cheaper.
Not the best quality but usable.
Compression test ..Cant see any reason not doing it ...
I think you are most likely right Mr Skull ..but who listen to others .. taking advice as said before Its a personal decision.
See what happens
Classic bikes are generally easier to understand, no computers for starters.
You will learn a lot of basic mechanics doing this XS650; And the difficult stuff is supported here. Modern bikes cost ££££ to get a dealer to plug in, then they say ‘new parts mate £££££’ and he’s not even your mate! Bastards!! If it all becomes to much hard work or money you can just sell it. I would like you to succeed.
couldn’t agree more. and with you guys’s help I do have a list growing of to-dos.
- Palace
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I did some stuff! finally got the carbs off, hopefully I did it right. Boiling the parts now. Screws are sitting in vinegar. Will replace ‘em one by one soon. Battery’s been removed as well, but I didn’t order a replacement yet. Seat’s trashed, going to find a cool new one soon.
Don’t really know what to do with these wires and rusty old battery box. It looks messy. My new goal right now is to just clean her up and make her a little smaller(?). After I put the carbs back, I’ll get a new battery and try compression. Still love the way she looks but researching less bulky parts. Still can’t get that stripped bolt out but I’ll keep trying. It was fun as hell to unscrew her, but I know I have my work cut out for me putting everything back together. Will keep you guys posted.
- Palace
Attachments
Not always a wise move to take a bike apart without a plan of what you intend to do, look at or fix. But No Harm Done - with the help on offer from the folks hereabouts you will be able to get her back together and running.
Getting that FUBAR screw out is still a worthwhile goal, to see what lurks under the advance cover.
Cleaning the bike up, getting it back in one piece and running are very good objectives. Taking things off to make the bike smaller and further customisation probably best left until after you have a bike you can ride IMHO.
Good luck!
Getting that FUBAR screw out is still a worthwhile goal, to see what lurks under the advance cover.
Cleaning the bike up, getting it back in one piece and running are very good objectives. Taking things off to make the bike smaller and further customisation probably best left until after you have a bike you can ride IMHO.
Good luck!
OK
a ) If you got the carburetors off ..please consider take them to someone that does it for you
b ) If you chose not to do that do the readup
c ) So to service the carburetors it might be necessary to separate them ..from the angle bar
to do that you need the JIS Screwdriver bit and some experience using a ratchet or a Impact screwdriver
If you damage those screws holding the carburetors it is a big problem
That can lead to a)
Those are locked with a chemical and I have not been able to loosen them on 2 sets
please google and ask
May I suggest that you remove the float bowls and post pictures of what you find inside
a ) If you got the carburetors off ..please consider take them to someone that does it for you
b ) If you chose not to do that do the readup
c ) So to service the carburetors it might be necessary to separate them ..from the angle bar
to do that you need the JIS Screwdriver bit and some experience using a ratchet or a Impact screwdriver
If you damage those screws holding the carburetors it is a big problem
That can lead to a)
Those are locked with a chemical and I have not been able to loosen them on 2 sets
please google and ask
May I suggest that you remove the float bowls and post pictures of what you find inside
I'm not sure if you need to take the carbs off the angle bar to do most of what you need to do?
I'm sure others will chip in . . .
I'm sure others will chip in . . .
You are probably right reason for me doing it was the T joint was leaking and cracked on both sets
If I remember correctly ... I don't usually do things unless necessary.
