‘77 XS650 get it running

[Woodrow31]

Hello,

I recently inherited a 1977 XS650D from a friend who passed away. It did not run when I took it out of his barn.

Brought it home. Cleaned it up. Cleaned the gas tank out. Put in fresh fuel. Changed the oil. Changed the spark plugs. Attempted to get the brakes working but found the lines were rotted. Ordered new lines. That is a pending problem for now.

Last night I tried to start it for the first time. It roles over but will not fire. Checked the plugs for spark this morning and found no spark on either plug.

So, where do I go from here when it comes to getting the spark plugs to fire?

Mind you, I am not a motorcycle guy. This is my first bike. I’m leaning as I go. Please speak to me as though I am a child. Draw me pictures if you’d like. I am happy to learn so I can get my friends bike running again.

Thanks!

 

[jpdevol]

So, where do I go from here when it comes to getting the spark plugs to fire?

I'd test to see if you have power at the coils (red/White wire) and then see if there is continuity to ground on the points wire when points are closed (only) Then it should be a matter of cleaning and adjusting the points.

 

[Mailman]

If it’s been sitting for some time, the carburetors will need to be dismantled and cleaned, there are lots of tiny passageways that tend to get clogged up with varnished gas.

 

[willis]

Possible bad condensers? Could be a lot of things. There is a file in the tech section under general maintenance and troubleshooting. Also one for getting to know your bike. I would start there and read up. Welcome to the forum, there is a vast wealth of knowledge here and a lot of good guys to help along the way. Be sure to post pictures of your bike. Sometimes the eagle eyes here may spot something you do t know to look for.

 

[Woodrow31]

Possible bad condensers? Could be a lot of things. There is a file in the tech section under general maintenance and troubleshooting. Also one for getting to know your bike. I would start there and read up. Welcome to the forum, there is a vast wealth of knowledge here and a lot of good guys to help along the way. Be sure to post pictures of your bike. Sometimes the eagle eyes here may spot something you do t know to look for.

Thanks so much Willis. Appreciate you.

 

[nj1639]

Hey Woodrow,
Welcome aboard!
Post some overall pics when you can, we love pics!
Make sure your battery is fully charged and be careful on your selection of oil, these bikes have wet clutches and require 4 stroke motorcycle specific oil (staying out of the weeds here) eg: Valvoloine 20/50 Motorcycle Specific.
77D is considered by some as the apex model, I concur with prejudice.

 

[Woodrow31]

Hey Woodrow,
Welcome aboard!
Post some overall pics when you can, we love pics!
Make sure your battery is fully charged and be careful on your selection of oil, these bikes have wet clutches and require 4 stroke motorcycle specific oil (staying out of the weeds here) eg: Valvoloine 20/50 Motorcycle Specific.
77D is considered by some as the apex model, I concur with prejudice.

I read up on the hubbub of oil choices. Ultimately selected some Meijer brand 15/40 diesel oil to start with. I pulled the old filters, cleaned them up and reused them for the time being. I also ordered some new ones. Once I get this bike running I may do another oil change so that I can install the new filters. The old ones were in rough shape.

 

[Woodrow31]

 

[Woodrow31]

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I few people have asked for pictures. So here are some from first getting the bike home. After its first wash. Getting it into the garage to begin the work. A progress picture. As well as a picture of me enjoying a beer with my friend who has passed.

 

[ThreeToedNewt]

Sorry to hear about your friend. Looks like he didn't completely leave.

I do not know lot about these and what I do know is from the mid 90s. I do know a lot about old British cars.

Digital film is cheap. Take pics as you take things apart and you have a guide to put them pack togeather.

Sitting in a barn- get a fresh battery and run the electrical system. If the mice didn't get to the wiring, you may have enough corrosion in the terminal connectors to really bung stuff up. Points will probably need to be cleaned up and reset. Be aware that wires can break inside the insulation. They will look fine, but the will be no current flow.

Ultrasonic parts cleaners are great on old carbs, and they are not too pricey for what they do.

If you have compression, it is air/fuel next, then spark. If you have those three then it is probably the timing.

My bet is you have a current flow issue and possibly gumming in the carbs.


Good luck

 

[lakeview]

Clean up the points with a file or sandpaper, wipe them off really clean, give her a huff of ether and it will start.
Then do all the right things

 

[Woodrow31]

Sorry to hear about your friend. Looks like he didn't completely leave.

I do not know lot about these and what I do know is from the mid 90s. I do know a lot about old British cars.

Digital film is cheap. Take pics as you take things apart and you have a guide to put them pack togeather.

Sitting in a barn- get a fresh battery and run the electrical system. If the mice didn't get to the wiring, you may have enough corrosion in the terminal connectors to really bung stuff up. Points will probably need to be cleaned up and reset. Be aware that wires can break inside the insulation. They will look fine, but the will be no current flow.

Ultrasonic parts cleaners are great on old carbs, and they are not too pricey for what they do.

If you have compression, it is air/fuel next, then spark. If you have those three then it is probably the timing.

My bet is you have a current flow issue and possibly gumming in the carbs.


Good luck

He is with me. Appreciate you.

 

[Woodrow31]

Clean up the points with a file or sandpaper, wipe them off really clean, give her a huff of ether and it will start.
Then do all the right things

Thank you!

 

[Wingedwheel]

Depending on where you’re located, lots of helpful members around.

 

[nj1639]

Yeah, you’ve been gifted for sure. Get her running and ride with pride.

 

[Woodrow31]

Depending on where you’re located, lots of helpful members around.

I am in mid Michigan.

 

[Woodrow31]

Something else that just came to mind. The choke lever is stuck I think. I can’t move it up or down. Is this a known issue with a known fix?

Thanks again guys.

 

[Mailman]

Something else that just came to mind. The choke lever is stuck I think. I can’t move it up or down. Is this a known issue with a known fix?

The choke attaches to a plunger, it’s made of brass and it simply slides up and down inside the choke housing, it’s a close fit and it’s probably gummed up with varnished gas.


At the top of this page is the word Tech, click on that and you will find tons of technical repair information, including a big one for the carburetors. It takes some time to understand how they work and assemble but it’s something you are going to have to do if you intend to work on your bike. It’s all learnable but you kinda have to take the leap and commit to it.
“The longest journey begins with the first step.”

 

[650Skull]

Welcome.

Don't buy a darn thing. Ask before hand or do a search, or use the tech menu.

Small things add up and filters arn't exactly ceap. Guys are now cleaning off the old filters, buying filter foam and wrapping their own.

Electrics can b a big problem and often electrical issues are often confused with carb issues. Chances are you will have both. Need to methodically go through one system first then the other. For Mr that would b electrical first.

Can go through the whole loom without having power. Switches also need to b cleaned. Especially the ignition switch.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/continuity-testing-made-easy.49917/

 

[Woodrow31]

Welcome.

Don't buy a darn thing. Ask before hand or do a search, or use the tech menu.

Small things add up and filters arn't exactly ceap. Guys are now cleaning off the old filters, buying filter foam and wrapping their own.

Electrics can b a big problem and often electrical issues are often confused with carb issues. Chances are you will have both. Need to methodically go through one system first then the other. For Mr that would b electrical first.

Can go through the whole loom without having power. Switches also need to b cleaned. Especially the ignition switch.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/continuity-testing-made-easy.49917/

Oh men. I really appreciate this. Thank you!