Back in the XS650 game: 1981 Cafe/Tracker

Old mechanic's trick: smack drain plug directly with steel hammer (as if it were a nail), then wrench it
 
Never had that problem. Could you put the front tire against a wall or just lay the bike down with some padded supports? I've smacked a few stubborn SOB's lately with success. I've also broken a few bolts lately. I like to smack and then tap,tap,tap. Beat your own drum.
 
Still haven't gotten the drain plugs loose (haven't rounded up the help yet), but I did oil the filters and went from 2.5 to 3.5 turns on the mixture screws.
On the first real ride, I noticed some low/mid range .... we'll, let me rephrase this.... low/mid seemed OK, but it was REALLY happy up top.
I'm running 137.5 mains, stock pilots, 3.5 turns in the mixture screws, UNI pods and a baffled 2-1 exhaust.
Seems pretty good so far. I'll check the plugs again after the next long ride.
 
On the BS34's, you usually need to richen up the idle circuit too. There are two ways you can go about that, the pilot jet and the air jet. The air jet doesn't have as big of an effect so if you want to make the idle circuit just a little richer, reduce that a size or two. That will make the pilot circuit richer but not as rich as changing the pilot jet.
 
The P.O. did that and it all clears fine.

One thing that I WILL probably change if I keep it: that front brake line. I don't like the way it's routed but, with the ends that are on there, I can't route it like I want. May have a new one made up eventually.
I found a set like this (not this one) with 2 15 degree ends and one 90 degree end for ~$17 on Amozon or ebay. 90 cm. The ends screw on so you get the brakeline routing that you like.
https://www.amazon.com/Fireyouracin...cphy=1028202&hvtargid=pla-1650854411453&psc=1
16608549515642024731560753498585.jpg
 
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Rotated the bars forward a bit and swapped out the mirrors for a bar end. Been trying to break loose the drain plug(s) for an oil change and losing that battle. It's especially hard with no center stand and one set of hands. I tried using a wheel chock and the damn thing still fell over.
Might have to bite the bullet and have a shop break them loose for me.

Runs really well with the Gonzo CDI, though!

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Drain plugs - lean bike against a wall with kick stand side facing wall. Take floor jack handle and slip it over your 1/2" breaker bar handle and give it a go. Works for me.
 
Drain plugs - lean bike against a wall with kick stand side facing wall. Take floor jack handle and slip it over your 1/2" breaker bar handle and give it a go. Works for me.
With a Cornwell breaker bar, my Craftsman socket broke. With an S-K breaker bar, the breaker bar broke. YMMV
 
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