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Haven't had any spare time recently..... fitted a new kitchen and stuff..... so not done much :doh: Got the new manifold rubbers (UK sourced) and also came across a cheap set of VM34's which I may try sometime soon - but this is a loooong term project :thumbsup:

Just found a photo of me original XS:

The seat is a standard Kawasaki W650 item..... it came with some spares for my W650 - the P.O took a bit of the padding out as he was a short-ass, but it's fine. Next on my list was to tackle the ignition - so I sent off for a Boyer system - well I am English :laugh: The system I got has...

So....... the handle bars are an easy swap...... Renthal superbike bars. The exhausts were next - the 2:1 is a hideous lump of pooh - these bike are twins and as such sound ace when you can clearly here each seperate beat..... The seat was a different problem - by chance I have a spare seat...

Thought I'd start a 'proper' thread about my XS...... bit of history first: Had my first XS650 in the late 1970's - it was a 'B'. Being a teenage I ragged the holy shite out of it trying to keep up with my mates who had RD400's, GS1000's, CB900's etc :doh: Anyhow I managed to kill that...

Good point - but if you're after "balls-out performance" you'd buy an R1 anyway :shrug: Its a great bit of engineering and a top effort..... and it does seem to have addressed the old XS handling issues :laugh:

After messing about with the original CV carbs & points for a week or so I decided to bite the bullet - hard :doh: and bought a Boyer ignition...... then I realized that bullet wasn't a blank (nearly blew me frickin' head off) and got a set of PWK carbs of an inmate :wink2: Bike is 10 x...

Arrived safely cheers! No manifolds included though :confused: even if they were cracked I could have used them, but thanks anyhow.

Anlaf - another idea..... are the liners secure and sound in the cylinders :confused: if they're a bit loose (as when running & hot) or not well fit in the block this can cause problems..... :doh: Just a thought.... hopefully the cam tunnel goo will fix it. this is very common on the old...

My post (just before yours) isn't saying "modern rubber is bad" :doh: If you read it, it says I found the modern Accolades were shite! But the MODERN TT100's are great. You understand now? :thumbsup: As for square-section tyres - I'd not have them on a solo unit - round profile tyre are...

:doh: Can't find the NUKE button to delete this comment!

WRONG :yikes: What if you stall it........ or run out of fuel................. or get knocked off and it stops..... Get the drift :wink2:

Synthetic oil with roller bearing cranks & old style "wet clutches" is a no-no ! Go with a decent plain mineral oil & change it every 1000 miles - or use AMSOIL synth designed for the job. Hard tail - why not - unless you're gonna be racing the old lump around the block!

I'd avoid the ribbed pattern tyres - had them as standard fitment on my W650 (Bridgestone Accolades) and they were awful - used to follow the rain grooves and even cause mild "tank slappers" when slowing down :mad: They didn't inspire confidence in the rain either :doh: Now got TT100's (Dunlop...

Thats strange - I've got smoke coming out of my right pipe :confused: My bike starts up & runs ok - NO smoke - until it gets nice & warm then it starts...... :wtf: I think I've narrowed it down to the old set of 2:2 megas I've just fitted - the stuffings is blowing out and its a bit oily...

All these "TOP SPEED" figures are off the speedo - so I'd reckon REAL top speed must be around the stated manufactures figure - around 105mph :thumbsup: My first XS650B (in 1980) wouldn't show much over 100mph, no matter how long a run it had :laugh: These bikes defo ain't about top...

It didn't take much to fit a Kawasaki W650 seat..... It was a spare I got with my W650. I got hold of another fixing mount and rigged it up and it works fine :laugh: Not my first choice - but it was "cheap & cheerful" :wink2:

So - why have you ruled out electrics ?

Beautiful bike - luv that paintwork - and that motor is to die for !!!!! But you gotta get rid of those cheapo shox - they let the side down :(

How long have you been "running in"... and are you using basic mineral oil ???? Semi or full synthetic is a bad idea as the rings have trouble bedding in!!! If you've only done a few mile (less than a couple hundred) I'd give it a while to settle in.