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Will remember all above advice for future. Used opportunity to clean up forks a bit, though couldn't be bothered taking the mudguard off for a proper job. Would like to get back to the original brushed aluminium look sometime. Here's how it's looking now:

Originally I did tighten the clamp before the axle (and had the clamp on backwards). Got better results other way round.

I fixed it, mostly... The semi-circular cap at the bottom of the left hand fork has an arrow on it which I hadn't noticed and assume is supposed to point forward. Changing this and following advice on another thread to tighten the crown nut before tightening the fork bottom nuts gave me a mm...

I did manage to force the caliper on but the housing is hard against the disk so pumping the brake lever didn't help that. I did take the wheel to a garage for cleaning and they removed the bearings. I am wondering if they omitted to replace all parts...

I took my wheels off to get them cleaned up. Took both disks off too. Now I can't get one of the calipers back on - just not enough clearance. Logically I would think the disk is not fully flush and tightened to the hub but it certainly appears to be. What else could be an issue here?

Finally got the sump plate all cleaned up and new gasket and nice clean oil. Had same issue with upper oil filter gasket: I do have a question about the inner gasket (no 19 in this picture. I didn't find one on my bike when I removed the filter. Is it necessary? Drove round the block and...

>>Who said life would be easy? Yeah, just beginning to realise that... Will need to wait for my new gaskets and drain plug washers to arrive before finishing. Hope it doesn't snow before then.

Won't be so easy on the underside of the bike though :(

Success - bought a heavier hammer, though needed a metal chisel as would didn't cut it... got a slight bash in the plate and scratched the underside gasket surface a little as it's a bugger to get down there for cleaning. How important is it to sand out all scratches, or will a new gasket...

I thought I'd do a simple oil change today and clean the strainer in the bottom of the crank case. Removed all 6 bolts and it won't move. Whacked it quite hard in various spots with a block of wood and also a screw driver along the joint but it is solid. Any tips? I assume there are only the...

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I didn't have my glasses so couldn't read anything on the jets o_O. The bike is a 78 XS650E and I don't believe will have had any alterations done as I knew the one previous owner.

Took carbs apart and cleaned. First time since 1978 I believe. OK, so I am not a mechanic and it took me 3 days, but have to say the bike runs a good bit better. So very happy. Can someone point me to explanations for the 2 tubes coming out the bottom and the ones coming from the top of the...

I contacted these chaps about getting my wheels cleaned up and they replied quickly and comprehensively. Though I have not used them yet. https://www.central-wheel.co.uk/

Applied some elbow grease....

Throwing something random in here: a few months back I watched a documentary on Arte TV (in Europe) which mentioned that a French company was building a new coal-fired power station in Chile in order to produce the power for a large open-cast copper mine needed to produce the extra copper...

Great to meet you all. This forum seems to be great - lots of good info. Active too... Will post pictures as I go. Thanks

Hi - I recently inherited a 1978 XS650 in excellent condition. I haven't wielded a spanner since the 70's on my Triumph Thunderbird, but now intend to look after this machine and re-learn some skills. Basic question no. 1: The manual says 20W40 oil which I can't find anywhere here in Austria...