Your side covers are not original to the bike. They are standard. Your bike is a Special. Look at the slots on top. They are longer than the tabs. They also don't follow the line of the bottom of the seat. They probably work better with what you want to do. Your tank is a MikesXS replacement for a standard and has larger fuel capacity than the original Special tank.
@maico996, Eff yah! Thank you.Also on your list:
And welcome to the forum! When you decide what to do with it, start a build thread so we can all follow along.
- Ride your bike
- Ride your bike some more
- Realize you have a great example of a nicely restored, coveted motorcycle
- Find another XS650 to customize
- Use your SWEET, GORGEOUS bike as a reference point for your Bratstyle Custom
- Ride your bike
- Don't take any of the above seriously. Well...maybe a little. Not at all trying to tell you what to do with your bike. Your bike, do what you want. It is a very nice bike in its current state!
@halfmile, I appreciate that the advise and the compliments. I'll be changing its look most definitely.Welcome to the Forum. If it`s a running riding bike I say cut it to pieces. It`s not like your cutting up a (last year production) 79 Standard. When you remove the tank and side covers and seat it`s just another black XS650 Special begging to become a chopper, bobber, brat, tracker, scrambler or whatever? If you buy a $300 XS650 you`ll spend a shit load just getting it up and running. You bought the XS with a purpose in mind so follow through with it. One look at your SR500 proves you`ve got the talent to build what ever you want. There`s several good brat build threads and you can count on answers to all your questions from forum members. What ever rout you take Good Luck with your endeavor.
That's the information I was looking for @jetmechmarty! Now I feel comfortable buying the correct parts. I knew i could count on you guys.
ooh yah, it is.
although, a good buddy of mine has offered to help fix it if necessary.
I'm glad you mentioned that. I found that one was missing so I have already replaced that (without a washer ). I will order those now and replace them. Thank you!You need to re-torque the head bolts. It's pretty much a "must do" on one of these when you get it. It's common for the bolts and nuts to loosen up because Yamaha used rubber washers under the 4 outside acorn nuts on top of the head. They're too soft and allow those 4 nuts to come loose all the time. If you don't keep after it and re-tighten them, a leaking head gasket is the result. Many of us replace those rubber washers with copper or brass washers. Those 4 outside studs flow oil, that's why Yamaha put the rubber washers on them. Brass or copper is soft enough to seal the oil in but hard enough to keep the nuts tight.
Yes, your side covers are from a Standard model, but your bike is definitely a Special. There are a couple differences and "tells" on the frame. The rear shocks lay down at a bit more of an angle and the bracket for the passenger peg and muffler hanger is just a curved tube. The Standard has more upright rear shocks and the muffler/passenger peg bracket is a loop.
I bought these copper ones. It takes a minute to get them from China, but it worked out just fine for me. @5twins likely provided the link.
My local hardware store had the coppers for about a buck apiece.
Thank you for this valuable info
