Tyesy
XS650 Member
Hello all.
Canadian here from Nova Scotia. New to older bikes (spent most of my childhood on dirt bikes, just not motorcycles) and bike building. Just picked up a 1980 XS650s (Special) that I am looking to bob and make my own over the next couple years. She’s in decent shape. However.. Little bit of electrical issues with intermittent lights and electric ignition not working, just kick start. Kick start is a bitch on it, so I’m looking to get the electronic ignition working again but don’t know where to start.
I tested the horn once, gave one blat, and that was all the juice she had. Brake light works. Headlights intermittent. Flashers stay fully light. Sometimes don’t work at all/intermittent.
I assume new wiring and battery is the easiest way to go so I will cross that bridge shortly.
Would like to get the electronic ignition going to make life easier and eventually get the kickstart back to where it should be. would like to have both.
New battery is first step, but can’t seem to find much on wiring for electronic ignition. Start button/ignition wired to starter?
TC Bros has the full XSCHARGE ignition kit for 300USD. Should that have most of what I need to get going?
Took this on to teach myself a bit more mechanically and electronically. Spent years as a chain hoist repair technician, and currently a water plant operator with lots of motors and pumps rebuilds, so not unfamiliar to mechanics by any means, but certainly don’t know everything and don’t mind asking for help.
Any help is appreciated.
Canadian here from Nova Scotia. New to older bikes (spent most of my childhood on dirt bikes, just not motorcycles) and bike building. Just picked up a 1980 XS650s (Special) that I am looking to bob and make my own over the next couple years. She’s in decent shape. However.. Little bit of electrical issues with intermittent lights and electric ignition not working, just kick start. Kick start is a bitch on it, so I’m looking to get the electronic ignition working again but don’t know where to start.
I tested the horn once, gave one blat, and that was all the juice she had. Brake light works. Headlights intermittent. Flashers stay fully light. Sometimes don’t work at all/intermittent.
I assume new wiring and battery is the easiest way to go so I will cross that bridge shortly.
Would like to get the electronic ignition going to make life easier and eventually get the kickstart back to where it should be. would like to have both.
New battery is first step, but can’t seem to find much on wiring for electronic ignition. Start button/ignition wired to starter?
TC Bros has the full XSCHARGE ignition kit for 300USD. Should that have most of what I need to get going?
Took this on to teach myself a bit more mechanically and electronically. Spent years as a chain hoist repair technician, and currently a water plant operator with lots of motors and pumps rebuilds, so not unfamiliar to mechanics by any means, but certainly don’t know everything and don’t mind asking for help.
Any help is appreciated.
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