TomMead
XS650 New Member
I bought a 1977 xs650 the other day. 2400 miles. Rust (of course) in the gas-tank, so I'm deep in YouTube video-land about how to de-rust. Talked to an seasoned older rural motorcycle fixer, who said all this, and I'd love your feedback. "It's quite nice-looking; do NOT paint it. Spend no money on it unless it will START. (I think he could tell that I'm no mechanical genius.) Don't even bother with the gas-tank. Take it off and hook things up to a bottle of gas. (I'm envisioning an IV-pole from the hospital). Don't buy a battery - just hook it up to your car, with the car turned off. See if there's spark. But before all this, put a table-spoon of oil down each spark-plug hole and move the engine (using the kick-start) -- and don't try to start it quite yet. Repeat that. Let the internal parts get lubrication. If you do get it started, turn it off. Let it rest and stew. Start it again later. Don't rev it; Don't let it get hot; Don't drive it down the road. Super gentle. If all this happens, you'll then be motivated to do whatever else you want to make it safe & pretty & happy.