Racerxnico
XS650 Enthusiast
I have agreed to help a friend with his motorcycle. He inherited it a few years ago from his father when he passed away. Apparently his dad bout it new from the showroom and it has been garage kept its entire life. My friend isn't really a motorcycle guy and he has come to a place where he realizes it is time to part with it and has asked me to help address a few things and help him sell it.
At first glance it looks great, starts on the first kick from cold, and runs strong. ...but I had a little time for closer inspection today and I have a list of things I'm going to tackle and a few questions (in bold).
1. There is a lot of oil on the front of the motor. Is there a common spot that they leak from here? I feel like it would be pretty weird for it to be a head gasket on an air cooled motor and it looks like it might be just below the line of the head gasket. Possibly something with the oil delivery pipe? I figure I'll clean it up and see if I can figure out where it's coming from, but hoping someone with experience can save me some legwork or point me in the right direction.
2. Charging. The battery is charging right at 13.5v when at idle, but when I rev it out it goes up to 15.5v. I've always targeted 14.5 as a top end and I'm worried 15.5v is too high. Wondering if this is common and if only fix is a new regulator/ rectifier or if there are other ways to address?
3. Tires. Front tire won't hold air so at min, I need a new tube. I hate to put new tires on a bike I'm going to sell, but seems a shame not to if I have it off to do the tube anyway. Any suggestions on less expensive rubber? Going to see if maybe Shinko makes a tire that works.
4. Front forks leaking so I'm going to replace seals.
5. Elec starter. While it starts with one kick. Elec start doesn't work. I think I'm going to try and pull it and rebuild it. Looks like I might have to solder new brushes on if it needs them, but hoping I can just clean it.
6. Mufflers have some rust bubbles, but I'm leaving that for whoever new owner ends up being.
7. right side of gas tank has some dents and damage. I'm not too optimistic, but going to see if 100PSI and a suction sup will pop them out. Does anyone have any cool tricks they have used or know of that I can research?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom, advise, and/or encouragement.
jason in Seattle
At first glance it looks great, starts on the first kick from cold, and runs strong. ...but I had a little time for closer inspection today and I have a list of things I'm going to tackle and a few questions (in bold).
1. There is a lot of oil on the front of the motor. Is there a common spot that they leak from here? I feel like it would be pretty weird for it to be a head gasket on an air cooled motor and it looks like it might be just below the line of the head gasket. Possibly something with the oil delivery pipe? I figure I'll clean it up and see if I can figure out where it's coming from, but hoping someone with experience can save me some legwork or point me in the right direction.
2. Charging. The battery is charging right at 13.5v when at idle, but when I rev it out it goes up to 15.5v. I've always targeted 14.5 as a top end and I'm worried 15.5v is too high. Wondering if this is common and if only fix is a new regulator/ rectifier or if there are other ways to address?
3. Tires. Front tire won't hold air so at min, I need a new tube. I hate to put new tires on a bike I'm going to sell, but seems a shame not to if I have it off to do the tube anyway. Any suggestions on less expensive rubber? Going to see if maybe Shinko makes a tire that works.
4. Front forks leaking so I'm going to replace seals.
5. Elec starter. While it starts with one kick. Elec start doesn't work. I think I'm going to try and pull it and rebuild it. Looks like I might have to solder new brushes on if it needs them, but hoping I can just clean it.
6. Mufflers have some rust bubbles, but I'm leaving that for whoever new owner ends up being.
7. right side of gas tank has some dents and damage. I'm not too optimistic, but going to see if 100PSI and a suction sup will pop them out. Does anyone have any cool tricks they have used or know of that I can research?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom, advise, and/or encouragement.
jason in Seattle