5twins
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    • 5twins
      Those aren't BS34s, they look like a '78-'79 set of BS38s, but the slide looks to be from a '77 or older carb. The needle is "loose"...
      • Early Slide.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread New bike, The works.
      I don't think those will fit the BS34's, they say they have an I.D. of 45mm. That would be closer to the BS38 size .....
      • BS38 Manifold.jpg
      • BS34 Manifold.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      I remove the outside 4 large acorn nuts first and take the rubber/metal washers off them. If you loosen all the fasteners, the top cover...
    • 5twins
      Many times, the tubes just get twisted in the trees. To straighten it out, loosen the clamp bolts top and bottom so they're just snug...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Yes, that TC Bros. stand is a piece of junk, lol. The only reason I have one is because someone gave it to me, and it's a terrible fit...
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    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      I always leave the starter cable connected to the motor and disconnect it up at the solenoid. Once the motor is out, you will want to...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Yes, it doesn't look like they've changed the casting much, if any, but at least your bolts look about at the right angle to the mating...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      ..... or the threads on this lower oil pipe fitting, not to mention the top banjos that snapped off before even up to the torque spec...
      • Oil Pipe Fitting.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Here's a thread with pics showing the issue. You can compare your new guide to them and see if they have resolved the issue. Please let...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1981 XS650 Special - Build Thread.
      I just shop eBay for the best price (usually $10 -$15), there's a ton of sellers on there. I run lower bars so I get a 90cm long line...
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      • LineGuide.jpg
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    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1981 XS650 Special - Build Thread.
      The brake components on these bikes are pretty robust. I've renovated a few and didn't need to replace any of the rubber bits, just...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Brake bits.
      Since about the only place I think we'd be using them is on banjo bolts, I don't know if a large size assortment is what we'd want. They...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Brake bits.
      Yes, they're called Dowty washers (Fred's a big fan) ...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Helpful tools..
      I have an old two stroke timing gauge from my two stroke days that I use. Basically, it's a holder for a dial gauge that screws in the...
    • 5twins
      You can solve the problem by getting new slip-on mufflers too, lol. These are also on sale and about the nicest aftermarket 650 muffler...
    • 5twins
      You have to rig up some way to keep the wheel from shifting side to side on the axle or you won't have much luck trying to true it, lol...
      • Leveling Axle.jpg
      • Wheel Shimming2.jpg
      • Wheel Shimming.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Helpful tools..
      I don't know how that "rumor" got started, but I'm not Gary, lol. He's like 3 States away.
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Helpful tools..
      Your rod is welded in the center between the studs while his is welded towards the front? Maybe flip yours over so the welded rod is on...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Brass Headbolt Sealing Washers.
      Yes, that's the right size. Here's the Suzuki washers on my '78 ..... ..... and the eBay washers on my '83 .....
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    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Carb sync - maybe a dump question.
      Yes, you still need to sync the carbs or one cylinder will run faster or slower than the other. Yes, carb holders with barbs would be...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Another distraction. XS650G.
      I may be going to look at one here soon, same year and model, not for me but for a friend of a friend ..... It's been sitting a long...
      • JoelsBike.jpg
      • JoelsBike2.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Another distraction. XS650G.
      But, they all need a good going through, even the nice ones, especially the wiring. It is, after all, a 40+ year old bike, lol.
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Another distraction. XS650G.
      I see the centerstand has been "upgraded" to a later one with the braced tang, good deal.
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Another distraction. XS650G.
      Other than the one-year-only brass floats, this is a pretty good year. But if the carbs were drained, the floats should be OK. Last '80...
      • PlasticFloat2.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Engine removal..
      Yes, eye bolts through the pipe would probably work just fine. You might want to wrap some rubber around the front one as it contacts...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Brass Headbolt Sealing Washers.
      I bought the Suzuki copper washers for my '78 years ago but eventually found much cheaper ones on eBay so that's what I use now ...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread XS650 - Dust boots and Oil Seals.
      Well yes, I'm sure they went up, lol. But you can still find them pretty reasonably priced if you shop around ...
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      • 78GaitersBrace.jpg
      • Gaiter Top2.jpg
      • Gaiter Top.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Lil help here????.
      On the headlight plug, black is ground, green is low beam power, and yellow has two wires connected to it - one yellow in with high beam...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread XS650 - Dust boots and Oil Seals.
      The part # is the same? But I guess that doesn't mean they are really All Balls. Personally, I do away with the dust boots and add...
      • 78GaitersBrace.jpg
      • ForkBoots.jpg
      • ForkBoots3.jpg
    • 5twins
      Yes, there is a friction or "drag" clip on the #4 starter gear. This is supposed to slow it's rotation down so it will engage the gear...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1981 XS650 Special - Build Thread.
      I have one of those but I never do it that way because it involves breaking the chain (removing the master link). That's more of a...
    • 5twins
      Melnic ...... This only works on the '78 models and is a very worthwhile "mod" in my opinion. You can easily change it back if you...
      • HL Switch Relay.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Brake piston.
      If the piston only comes so far out and stops, you may have to "work" it. Press it back in with a big C-clamp, blow it out again, press...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread My dead XS650.
      I'm just wondering why this happened. First time I've heard of a cam chain destructing like this.
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Brake piston.
      If you split the caliper in half, you'll find a cross-over hole at the top between the two halves. You need to block that off so cut a...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Spark plug choices.
      Those might be a pretty good plug. I never tried one but I may look into them seeing that the NGK BP7ES is getting harder to find.
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread New bike, The works.
      Yes, if the carbs are the originals, they would be BS34s. They're a good carb set, once you jet past the factory lean settings (one up...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      For the cam chain, I prefer the Tsubaki brand as opposed to the D.I.D. It's said that it's a bit better (stronger) and as an added...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1981 XS650 Special - Build Thread.
      I like to do the "ride and wrench" thing to mine. I get the bike up and running, then over the next few years, I refine it (mods) and...
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      • NewWheelMounted3.jpg
      • $200SpecialClean.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Yes, I think Yamaha realized the "error in their ways" after a couple years of using the no-lock nut type D assembly and came out with...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Not without adding the longer plunger. The longer plunger means the adjuster doesn't need to be screwed in as far to achieve the correct...
      • CamChainTensioners.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread New bike, The works.
      You said you found someone parting out a 650? For carbs, you want a '76 or later set, one where the carbs are linked together as a...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Here's a type E plunger for a decent price ...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Lol, yes, that's another thing you can demonstrate to yourself if using the adjust-while-running method - how a too loose chain sounds...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Engine Oil.
      If you use a 40wt you'll get more topend "clatter". It probably isn't hurting anything, it just makes more noise compared to a 50wt. I...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Your video nicely illustrates why I don't like using the "static" method for adjusting the chain tension. You'll notice that most of the...
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread Vacuum Petcock.
      The original vac petcocks on my '78 Standard look different than those pictured above. The center round portion of the arm is smaller...
      • SideCoverGrommet2.jpg
    • 5twins
      5twins replied to the thread 1978 XS650 Special Project.
      Hmmm, yes I wasn't aware of the short lock nut either, good stuff. I was having issues when trying to loosen the cap nut, the lock nut...
      • WrenchesCompared.jpg
      • HeadThickness.jpg
      • GroundDown.jpg
      • GroundDownFit.jpg
    • 5twins
      Well, it seems you're in luck. Looking at pics on-line of the '83 CX650 Custom, it appears the brake line mounts to the front of the MC...
    • 5twins
      I get the cheap ones off eBay (less than $10) and so far have been very happy with them. For banjo size, measure the diameter of your...
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