1970 XS1 refresh project - what do I need to know?

[Zoo Bikes]

I was recently lucky to come upon a chance to pick up an all original 6/1970 XS1 (004898) on Facebook marketplace. It is somewhat rough, but is all there, and is beginning to clean up nicely.

Seat came with it, but is 100% toast, as is the exhaust. Seems to have good compression. Missing petcocks, and that might be it. Tank and sidecovers retain original paint, but have considerable fading. Lots of rusty hardware.

As of now, my plan is to clean it up (#0000 steel wool on the chrome, and Mothers polish by hand on the aluminum), swap out the oil, sort the fuel and electrical systems and try to make a nice, original rider. I’ve already bought an original seat, and am on the hunt for exhaust.

A few parts are far too rusty to keep - things like chain adjusters, the levers that attach to the brake drums, etc.. I plan to replace those items with used, appropriately patinated original parts.

What do I need to know about this bike? What parts are unique to it? Will everything from an XS1B and most XS2 stuff work? They seem to be extremely rare, particularly in original condition. All I seem to find are fully restored examples.

I plan to keep this thread updated as I progress, and am looking forward to the project and the group’s insights.

 

[gggGary]

Cool great that you snagged this one. Will be watching your thread with interest!
There's repo parts for things like the chain adjusters.

Some good deals on remaining inventory here; YamahaXS650.com
Also 650 central and mikesXS check around and ask before buying some repo parts are good some not so much.
There's some sneaky stuff Re the early bikes. parts and service work both.
That paint looks good!

 

[5twins]

I don't think it looks too bad, I've seen much worse brought back, lol. The headpipes look good, just need mufflers, and I've heard the repro XS1 mufflers are pretty good. Watch eBay, you never know what will pop up there. Besides nice used stuff, sometimes N.O.S. items come up.

 

[5twins]

Believe it or not, the rear brake lever is still available new from Yamaha because they use it on many other newer models. I wouldn't buy a new one though, there's many good used ones available .....

https://www.partzilla.com/product/y...?ref=c5930204c8d09b87452dd7f6106ff94e0ca8303b

 

[gggGary]

Book mark this https://www.xs650.com/members/twomanyxs1bs.14703/#xfmgAlbums
a wealth of information for anyone working on an early XS An hour or two spent looking through info there will save you endless hair pulling and perhaps avoid some costly misteps. It's like having your very own NASA engineer at your side...
@TwoManyXS1Bs 2many doesn't visit here often these days but his content is a treasure trove of technical information.
XS1 XS1B information resource service bulletin.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Welcome Zoo. I saw that bike and was tempted but too many projects in the stable. Too bad it’s over in Kzoo. I’d love to see that bike come back. Great score!

 

[Zoo Bikes]

Got a used seat for it today. Not as good of condition as I had hoped. Big tear in the cover, and the foam is rotted. Thinking I’ll get new foam, and try to repair the cover, as I really don’t want a brand-new looking seat that stands out from the rest of the bike. My neighbor does vinyl repair, so he may be able to do something with the cover.

 

[Zoo Bikes]

Here’s some close-ups of the tank. A friend suggested starting with a clay bar kit. I may give that a try on part of it. I’ve also had good luck with 3M hand glaze.

Any recommendations on how to stop the paint from flaking further?

 

[motormike]

Chuck the hi way bar foot rest.. toss Marvel oil in the cylinders.. kick kick kick... repeat... as you check the electricals.... add more Marvel... kick kick kick.... change fork oil.... it will reek.... Marvel.. kick.... at least pull carb float drain plugs.... " white death ".... ? Best pull carbs,, toss in ultra sound.. check slide diaphragms...pull and tug looking for pinholes.... they sell replacement kits.... jets.. think there's a passage in the float bowl... if possible, bore scope tank... clean and flush ... after fire up.. these are cold blooded beast.... they don't handle or brake well... but if ridden with that knowledge you'll be fine.... Emco sells a long baseball bat muffler that looks ok ... Mike's Xs sells a nice set of re pops..... Use a few cans of elbow grease and it may have nice patina .... perhaps fellow members have better red tank badges... check date code on tires... chain..sprockets are wear items... check swing arm bushings... steering head bearings.... pain in the kister.. pulling the forks off.. dropping the triple tree... if it's a keeper go with tapered bearings toss the balls... fork seals.. springs ? now's the time.... think Mike's sells correct air filters.... pull... flush clean tach-speed cable..light grease.. same with speed O drive... brake pivot points.... Mike's I believe..or someone has the correct grey cables.. worth the investment... Rear shock is most likely toast... if it's a keeper... Halgon (sp) sells a nice, shrouded shock.. very original looking... requires paint.. but it works ! .. adjust cam chain prior to start up..... after start up.... let it run... then perhaps a head re torque ... I bought mine over the phone.... 20 years ago...... about a 15 hr drive away.. had sat for 15 years.... Had the factory 750 kit.. a screamer... year later the rod needle bearings packed up.. a common problem.... corrected during the production run to plain bearings...

 

[gggGary]

@GLJ did a similar paint rescue in this thread.
https://www.xs650.com/threads/just-another-xs2.65376/

 

[Raymond]

Hi @Zoo Bikes, as you have already found, you have come to the Right Place for helpful advice. Loving your intention to keep the bike as a used original - will be watching this one with interest. Cheers, Raymond

 

[gggGary]

A list of all the early SB's with links
https://www.xs650.com/threads/yamaha-xs1-xs1b-xs2-tx650-tech-bulletins-service-data-brochures.31022/

 

[Zoo Bikes]

I have a little cleaning up to do under the seat area. Does anyone have a pic of the proper setup in this area? Is the battery box unique to the XS1? I want to keep this thing as original as possible, but the box is just a rusty, crusty mess.

 

[gggGary]

That's not bad/typical?
Battery box is XS1, XS1B (70,71) only.
Current XS1 from the other side.

 

[Wingedwheel]

https://thexscafedotcom.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/xs1-b-supp-man.pdf
I didn’t go through all of 2M’s links but this supplement has good info on the electrical.

 

[gggGary]

Fought my way back to the 70, snapped a couple pics.