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  1. Astrolite

    Fuel taps, vacuum rebuild kits or swap to non vacuum...?

    Rebuilt my vacuum petcocks with kits from XS650direct, following a tutorial on this site. Had no issues at all. https://www.xs650.com/threads/rebuilding-yamaha-vacuum-operated-fuel-valves-petcocks.20662/
  2. Astrolite

    Need advice on two starting issues

    Just ordered one, we'll give that a try. As for the battery maybe I can get it load tested. Can anyone recommend a good battery?
  3. Astrolite

    Need advice on two starting issues

    I did set the float levels when I rebuilt the carbs, however, I'm sure I could have been off by a few mm, given the difficulty I had in reading the scale. So the correct fuel level is even with the line formed between the carb body and the float bowl as in your last picture? Two questions, (1)...
  4. Astrolite

    Need advice on two starting issues

    1. One year old fully charged battery, based on specific gravity of cells, won't crank starter. A jump from my tractor battery or a booster battery cranks it just fine. Maybe battery damaged, not passing load test or too small? 2. Bike starts fairly easily, with kickstarter, when cold, but will...
  5. Astrolite

    Old tires

    Picked up my bike in February, been working on it since, took my first test ride this past weekend. First phase of restore complete. Phase two involves tire replacement among other things. My current tires have tread that is like new, but they are date stamped 1978. They look so nice it's a...
  6. Astrolite

    Carb Guide Dead Cylinder Method

    I have just rebuilt my carbs and stumbled across mention of the "Dead Cylinder Method" of setting the idle mixture screws. I know that is not the correct terminology for the screws, but don't know what else to call them. Anyway, the reference I found said I could find the "Dead Cylinder Method"...
  7. Astrolite

    Wanted - Wanted - 78 XS650 Special Seat Grab Bar

    It is the round tube style as shown in MrBultaco's photo. Also looking for the shoulder bolts for mounting the rear fender and the inside and outside "collar" trim pieces that go between the turn signal stalk and the rubber mounting. Like the ones in the attached picture.
  8. Astrolite

    Wanted - Wanted - 78 XS650 Special Seat Grab Bar

    Original poster still looking for grab bar, first one I got isn't going to work out.
  9. Astrolite

    For Sale - FS: XS650 DC/MD area $500 o.b.o.

    I think I just need the inserts, not the larger bracket. Do they separate? Like the attached photo.
  10. Astrolite

    For Sale - FS: XS650 DC/MD area $500 o.b.o.

    You wouldn't happen to have the chrome trim piece that fits between the rear turn signal stalk and the rubber mounting would you? There would be two of them, one for each side.
  11. Astrolite

    1978 Special Vacuum Petcock Rebuild Question

    They do look the same. The gasket set for the XS650E also looked just like the gaskets that came out of my petcocks. I think I'll give it a go with the one listed for the Standard and see what happens. Thanks
  12. Astrolite

    1978 Special Vacuum Petcock Rebuild Question

    Well I scored myself an XS650, a 1978 Special, and I've started the process of getting it road worthy. After tackling a rebuild of the fuse box I decided to rebuild the petcocks since one was leaking pretty badly. I've read many threads here on the pros and cons of rebuilding vs. replacing with...
  13. Astrolite

    Petcocks

    Was thinking of buying a couple of those myself. Now, not so sure if they can't be rebuilt. I'd be interested to see what others say.
  14. Astrolite

    Wanted - Wanted - 78 XS650 Special Seat Grab Bar

    Looking for the stock grab bar for a 1978 XS650 Special as shown in the attached picture. Have what I believe to be an OEM Yamaha sissy bar in excellent condition if anyone is interested in a trade.
  15. Astrolite

    Is this Bike Worth the asking Price, Opinions

    Funny you guys should mention the Royal Enfield because I was looking long and hard at them and I may still go that route, but I keep getting drawn back to the XS650. I'm not naive to the fact that these things are a project and that is one of my major considerations. Selling the Harley should...
  16. Astrolite

    Is this Bike Worth the asking Price, Opinions

    Picture was taken around 1973-74. I bought a brand new 1972, road it for one season, tore it down and built this. I do not want to reproduce this, looking to go stock now. My Fatboy is getting too heavy for me and I need to downsize. If you know anyone looking for a custom Fatboy! On the Yamaha...
  17. Astrolite

    Is this Bike Worth the asking Price, Opinions

    Hate to admit this but what exactly is a bitsa and why is that not a good candidate for restoration? EDIT, OK I looked up bitsa and now know what it means. Update on the bike, I went to see it again and it actually has 26,500 miles on the odometer. It started right up with both the kickstart...
  18. Astrolite

    Is this Bike Worth the asking Price, Opinions

    I forgot to mention it has 22,000 miles on it. So possibly additional wear items will need replaced. I'm going over to look it over again now and see if I can't get him to budge on the price.
  19. Astrolite

    Is this Bike Worth the asking Price, Opinions

    I know this is a difficult question to answer with the small amount of information I'm about to provide but I value the opinions of the experienced XS650 buffs here and am just looking for a general idea. This would be my first XS650 purchase since 1972! My original goal was to buy a bike that...
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