72' sitting for 15 years...where to start?

Sparky1977

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All, I am new to the site and bikes in general. I got a 72' 650xs from my father in law and it's been sitting for 15 years in a barn. I have started a few things that I can do but realized quickly I am not a bike mechanic and know nothing about bikes. Tank is cleaned, carbs cleaned, oil changed (thats what I could think of) and now want to see if it will fire. Any suggestions before I try to start it up to see if it even attempts to fire? Any help is greatly appreciated, Thanks!
 
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Welcome, the bike looks like it will come up good with a healthy clean.....

Definitely not suggesting you go to the extent mailman done to his XS2..........But............. This is one hell of a write up and goes into great detail about specific work done to the bike. .............Bottom of post #1 there is a list of links that take you to specific pages of the work done to those parts or area of the bike. this will be a valuable source as a reference..................book mark it

https://www.xs650.com/threads/mailman’s-xs2-a-full-on-restoration.51520/
 
Yes there are advice here how to do it

Must check the tank so rust not are getting into the carburetors ( I can see it has been cleaned )
I would have a little oil in the cylinders

and kick it over so the oil is everywhere specially at the cylinder heads .

I would also do a quick check of the cylinder head bolts so nothing is loose.

Perhaps taking it step vise if it starts let i run a short while only. Wait and gradually increase .

Having a water hose or fire extinguisher close and not to much fuel in tank
Perhaps use the hose directly getting the dust off
 
Hey yo,

Just got my hands on a 71/72 and 79.

The 71/72 needs a ton before it would be ready to turn over but the 79 is so close, it kicks over and thumps but doesn't start. The starter on it sounds like a machine gun LOL.

Following and reading everything I can to get this relic back to life.
Welcome aboard!
Start yourself a fresh thread and post some pics! We all like pics.
 
That's a shame as that bike looked pretty good compared to the one next to my name to the left. Definitely nicer than my 1982. If anyone near Syracuse needs a project I might be tempted to part with it.
 
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It looks like a good starting place.
Surely you can't be thinking of this one:
72 gauges.JPG
72 rear wheel.JPG

And those are only some of the nasty parts! And to be honest the pictures actually make it look better than in person! Much of the usable parts have been passed on to others, forget where most went but think even a small part or two went to Mailman's project
 
Surely you can't be thinking of this one:
View attachment 244556View attachment 244557
And those are only some of the nasty parts! And to be honest the pictures actually make it look better than in person! Much of the usable parts have been passed on to others, forget where most went but think even a small part or two went to Mailman's project
This is the one in your avatar?

It might be a good start for.....
1685888314013.png

or
1685888726923.png
 
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