maintenance

Hey guys, I’m new here and have a few questions. I'm currently in the process of getting my motorcycle licence and have been looking at older Japanese bikes for my first motorcycle. There is a 1981 Yamaha XS Special II for sale here and I’m strongly considering it. I’ve attached a picture...

Hello, I am new to the 650 world. I recently received a 650 for free. I fixed it up to the point that it runs great and all the lights did work. My flasher relay was taking a dump on me so I unplugged it and accidentally shorted out the wires that go to it. After shorting out those wires, no...

Here's my contender; note that the sprocket has lot of miles in it yet. Maintenance? Yeah I do maintenance the ex gets $600 a month..... Winner gets a set of Gary's valve cover o-rings! It's gotta be "original" old grease, we can tell if you start throwing new glop in there! Note...

I recently made the monumental mistake of washing my 1978 XS650e. Since then, my electric starter will not work. It almost seems as if the button is not connected anymore. There is no reaction whatsoever when i press the starter button. I took the button assembly apart and cleaned all connection...

Hey just doing a oil change and cleaning the oil sump filter. It was in pretty good shape but I made a guard for it anyway. Good enough or should I use something a little more substantial?

so I was using the chicago electric with green solution at 1:1, put the carb body did 3 times one side and the other. Put it to dry and all this weird sediment started poppin up as it was drying... what did I do wrong...? and it discoloured some of the brass I had: halp plz

Hey all. I bought my 1978 XS650e last month and have really enjoyed working on it, but I've run into a problem that has stumped me. First, some background. When I bought the bike, it wasn't getting any power, the cables on all the lights and blinkers were either disconnected or cut. I took...

I bought a 1978 XS650e last month. When I got it the wiring going to the front and back blinkers had been cut. I wired everything up, but the blinker lights would just come on steady. I did some research on the forums here and replaced the flasher relay with one from autozone which was...

Small new problem here. Changing the oil in the 77D' this morning and am having difficulty removing the filter cover. Bolts are out obviously but cover is stuck. I don't want to pry on it as that leads to scaring. Tried bumping it with a soft hammer to no avail. Suggestions? :confused: roy

OK guys I been saying I got to get out of town to go down to Carolina Beach NC to go see my new mechanic. Well he showed up on the 13th 7 pounds 13 oz. Now I got three little dudes to maybe follow in there grandfathers foot steps. So anyone need any parts or harnesses THINK QUICK because I am...

Hi. My 1980 engine has a sump filter conversion. See picture. I just wondered, does this alter the amount of engine oil I should put in? If so, does anyone know the correct amount? It's difficult to use the sight glass because I don't have a centre stand and I read somewhere that the marks on...

81 XS650 special - The oil filter in the right side cover is held in place by a bolt that also acts as a check valve (spring/ball/set screw). Changing the oil and cleaning the filter, not sure what spec that set screw should be adjusted to. I'm guessing screw it in until it bottoms out then back...

Need some help brainstorming this new "farkle"for the shop. Not sure if I can use "farkle"here but I digress. I currently have a 1000lbs lift table in the shop and a large 2 post 7 ton hoist. The motorcycle lift table seems to always be in the way and has become a great spot for me to pile up...

has anyone tried this to remove the clear from the aluminum covers and brake plates before polishing

Hey I have a 1978 yamaha xs 650 I am building my bike and I hit a little bit of a wall I bought a new harnesss from mikes xs, Also from mikes xs I bought the combined solid state regulator/rectifier When I bought the bike it came with the electronic pamco ignition already installed, I am...

We provide easy-to-install replacement and maintenance OEM parts for Dirt Bike And Motorcycle. In terms of quality, Factory-Links products are identical to OEM parts. www.factory-links.com

Guy had a 650 motor on CraigsList about a month ago for $60. Sat outside and was stuck, pretty rough looking from the pics. Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought so, lol. It was still listed and now he only wanted $40. He bought the whole bike to get the wheels for an SR500 spoke wheel...

I decided it was past time to replace the old (could be original) dried out and cracked fuel line. I ordered the thin wall hose and wire clamps from Mike's. (BTW... they shipped super fast.) I had read good things about those two items. The hose is part 20-4010 and the clamps are 20-4017. I...

I have a '75 B and the manual mentions it having oiled type foam air filters. Mine were shot, but I have a replacement pair from MikesXS. Slightly different type of foam, but would it hurt to put a light spraying of oil on them? I have UNI and K&N recharge kits/oil.

Can anyone provide me a part number or source of buying a new pan head countersunk screw that goes into the shaft base of the starter bendix? pics below... thanks guys!