What have you done to your XS today?

My XS650SK finally came down off the lift. It isn't done, but a couple of hours will finish it. Forks got seals, springs and fresh oil. Head bearings got fresh grease. The swingarm pivot got replaced. New carburetor holders were installed, and my jetting was increased one size to 45/137.5. A quick zip down the street and back says she's going to be good as new. I did not feel any change in the carburetors.
 
If your bike is still all stock, that jetting may be a bit much. Yes, bumping the mains one size (to a #135) on an all stock machine is good, and instead of increasing the pilot jet, going down one or two on the air jets.
 
If your bike is still all stock, that jetting may be a bit much. Yes, bumping the mains one size (to a #135) on an all stock machine is good, and instead of increasing the pilot jet, going down one or two on the air jets.
I was 42.5 and 135. My new to me stock headers were starting to blue. I bumped to 45 and 137.5. I'll pull the plugs after a good ride and see how the look. If they are sooty, I'll be sure to put it right back where it was. I was getting 56 mpg and it felt great by the seat of my pants. It won't hurt my feelings to go back.
 
A brother from Denver arrives in 10 days or so. He will want to ride it. Time to assemble. Install plugs, refit the exhaust. Only some progress. Cleaned up the chain with paint thinner and a drywall tray to keep the mess down. Worked a treat. I was happy to see all the rollers spun easily as I scrubbed with toothbrush and paint thinner.. Also, after the front brake work, I hosed down the caliper and rotor with brake cleaner to get rid of any brake fluid residue. (The details that keep you up at night).View attachment 211343View attachment 211344View attachment 211345View attachment 211346
Sweet looking rig:)
 
Sweet looking rig:)
Yes it is. I bought it mostly complete so the only credit I can take is "good taste". My "New to me XS650" thread covers my foolishness and progress since October 2021. That thread also displays how many members here offer learned and thoughtful advice.
 
Yes it is. I bought it mostly complete so the only credit I can take is "good taste". My "New to me XS650" thread covers my foolishness and progress since October 2021. That thread also displays how many members here offer learned and thoughtful advice.
The people here are awesome. So much knowledge.
 
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Off for Ontario Inspection!
A fellow says it needs to be certified for him to look at it, so it will get done.
1976 Blue Tux Edition.
 
First gas of the season today. $1.88 per litre of non-ethanol high test. Takes about 4 litres to make a US gallon.
But who has a motorcycle to economise on transportation, eh?
When #40 showed up last fall she was running really rich, black plugs, black smoke revving her standing still. 2 gallons refilled the tank after 70 to 80 miles. I have rejetted(several tries) to where plugs are now medium brown. It will be interesting to record mileage accurately now. Regular is at $3.79 now.
 
Installed a starter motor I got on ebay after disassembling my starter twice to solve the loud grinding noise it was making even when removed from the engine.
The new starter works fine but the starter gear was not engaging so I ordered a new starter gear kit because last time I retensioned the clip I noticed the circlip was a bit loose.
Normally I would remove the clip from the starter gear and squeeze it in the vice before installing but I read on here it can be done with the clip on the gear so I did it that way then replaced all the parts including the clutch and case.
Filled it with oil and hit the starter and it now rarely engages!! Looks like I will be taking it apart again today to retension the clip off of the gear.
Strange how it worked fine before I replaced the crankshaft.
 
I installed a cheap Chinese digital voltmeter/tach that I bought off of Amazon. I wanted to have something that I could use to monitor the arduino TCI while running. The current version of arduino TCI outputs a 12 volt pulse that goes high when the first pickup pulse comes in and goes low when the second pickup pulse comes in, so it will output a 12 volt pulse once per revolution between 41 and 16 deg BTDC. The voltmeter is also monitoring the 12 volts supply going into the module. The results of the test: The arduino TCI ran flawlessly and I think the tach output signal idea works, but....
Don't try using this meter on your bike. The display is washed out by any sunlight. It may be more useable at night, but practically useless in the daytime. As far as the info it is displaying, that was a bit more interesting. At idle, the tach numbers were erratic. At higher rpms, 1800 and higher the numbers steadied out. The digital tach was giving me numbers less than the analog tach. At 1850 digital I was showing about 2000 on the analog. At 3750 digital I was seeing about 4000 on the analog. I suspect that the digital is more accurate than the analog, but I don't think I am going to tear into the old tach any time soon. And I don't think I am going to switch to the digital tach.
 

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A few days ago I received a box from Mike's xs. I got an axel mounted plate mount/tail light to replace the one that fell off, along with some passenger pegs and a pair of the commando style universal pipes. Today I had some time to mess with that stuff. I got the passenger pegs on easily enough, but could not get the pipes on. The thing that had me stuck were the little copper reducers. The pipes came with 3 each and no matter what I tried, including bending the opening to the muffler out, I couldn't get them to fit. I want a nice and tight fit, so that I don't have another pipe just fall off, like I had on the first ride.
I've never used these little reducers before. I'm thinking of taking the pipes to a shop tomorrow, to see if they can get it fixed up for me, without costing an arm and a leg. The other option I'm thinking of is buying some new headers from Mike's xs That hopefully don't require any reducers or additional hardware.
 
The arduino TCI ran flawlessly and I think the tach output signal idea works
Sleddog...
I have also been contemplating using an arduino to control my advance from a crank driven trigger. I'd be very interested in how you based your code as well as any issues you may have encountered and if so what solutions you came up with. How adjustable is your setup? I guess I should have asked if you had a write up on the modification. Thanks for sharing.
 
Loosenoose, your first mistake was buying your mufflers from MikesXS. The original Commando muffler is very nice but that's not what Mike's sells now. They sell an EMGO copy of it that only looks like it on the outside. The internal baffling is completely different and frankly, they're junk. Your second mistake was getting the 1 3/4" inlet size that needs reducers to fit. You've seen how well that works, lol. Instead, go to YamahaXS650.com. They still sell the original Commando with a 1.5" inlet (#07-0065) and nice 1.5" O.D. headpipes (on sale for $99 at the moment). These will mate together nicely without the need for reducers.
 
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First Start Today!!
This '73 originated with Robin, then stopped with Total Fool for a while, then came to me. I had the tins painted BC (before covid) and only this spring was it ready for timing etc. Total Fool and MaxPete spent an afternoon with me on it a few weeks ago but we had no luck getting it to run.
So I bought a proper battery for it instead of using my jump/power pack and went through the all the grounds on it adding, amongst others, a direct ground from the frame under the seat to the battery. (thanks GLJ).
Installed my cleanest pair of non resistor plugs and it fired immediately without changing any settings done the day I had help.
Really pleased about it, parts of my wiring review also produced working horn and direction lights.
Lots of tidying up to do of course, more pictures will follow.
 
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View attachment 212297
First Start Today!!
This '73 originated with Robin, then stopped with Total Fool for a while, then came to me. I had the tins painted BC (before covid) and only this spring was it ready for timing etc. Total Fool and MaxPete spent an afternoon with me on it a few weeks ago but had no luck getting it to run.
So I bought a proper battery for it instead of using my jump/power pack and went through the all the grounds on it adding, amongst others, a direct ground from the frame under the seat to the battery. (thanks GLJ).
Installed my cleanest pair of non resistor plugs and it fired immediately without changing any settings done the day I had help.
Really pleased about it, parts of my wiring review also produced working horn and direction lights.
Lots of tidying up to do of course, more pictures will follow.
Robin seal of aproval marked.png
 
View attachment 212297
First Start Today!!
This '73 originated with Robin, then stopped with Total Fool for a while, then came to me. I had the tins painted BC (before covid) and only this spring was it ready for timing etc. Total Fool and MaxPete spent an afternoon with me on it a few weeks ago but we had no luck getting it to run.
So I bought a proper battery for it instead of using my jump/power pack and went through the all the grounds on it adding, amongst others, a direct ground from the frame under the seat to the battery. (thanks GLJ).
Installed my cleanest pair of non resistor plugs and it fired immediately without changing any settings done the day I had help.
Really pleased about it, parts of my wiring review also produced working horn and direction lights.
Lots of tidying up to do of course, more pictures will follow.
When Robin helped with a wiring diagram using pics of his bikes wiring i remember the wiring on that bike was in good shape. Looked to needing a clean and the odd connector.

Nice to see you have it it up and running Lakeview........... RIP Robin
 
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