LocoKen
XS650 Enthusiast
Can't remember how long I've been a member here but decided it was time to let the cat out of the bag and show you what I found here recently. I apologize if you see this post before I add pics (it's 2:00am here and I can't sleep), but I will upload some later on today when I get the bike out of the garage.
For starters, this bike is in pretty good shape. I bought this off of a gentleman who had this bike serviced quite often and has had many parts replaced with new factory parts such as side covers, gas tank rubber, seat, just to name a few. There are a few things that are character givers, but nothing I have to take care of right now. I should say that I have plans to modify this into a bobber, even though it's in pretty good condition just the way it is. Don't worry, my plans are to strip the motor, front forks, wheels, and a few other miscellaneous things to build the said bobber and put the rest in storage, just in case I want to put it all back to original. I will build my own frame, pipes, handlebars, you name it so as not to ruin anything about the originals. The only thing I will do is rephase the motor, but that will be done later.
So, for right now, I'm going to enjoy this bike just the way she is and only start the change once I have the parts and money to do so. In saying that, I've got some questions for you fine people.
1. After cleaning out the tank and petcocks (this bike had been sitting for awhile and was caked with rust deposits all over inside the tank and varnish deposits throughout the carbs & petcocks), I put everything all back together to get her going and she started right up! She is running a little rough and does better when given more throttle. I did buy a simple rebuild kit for each carb off of Mike'sXS because I lost an o-ring and ruined a needle valve in the process of taking them apart and getting things cleaned (put the needle valve in solvent and melted the rubber tip....lesson learned). How do I diagnose where the problem is coming from not knowing the in's/out's of carb part functions? It has the stock air cleaners and nothing else seems to be disconnected (vacuum hoses, etc).
2. The clutch is very stiff and will stall the bike pretty easy if I don't give it plenty of gas off the start. It also has a tendency to slip a little at higher RPM's, or at least in 5th gear when I'm topped out. Is it time for a new clutch, or do I just need to make adjustments?
I have many questions on rephasing and have read the thread here on doing so, but will save those for the rebuild. Well, that's about it for now. I also have more questions but can't think of them at the moment. Now it's 2:30am and I'm starting to space out staring at this screen. I will be sure to post up pics later for you so don't fret. Thanks again, and I look forward to getting acquainted with fellow riders here. Take it easy!
For starters, this bike is in pretty good shape. I bought this off of a gentleman who had this bike serviced quite often and has had many parts replaced with new factory parts such as side covers, gas tank rubber, seat, just to name a few. There are a few things that are character givers, but nothing I have to take care of right now. I should say that I have plans to modify this into a bobber, even though it's in pretty good condition just the way it is. Don't worry, my plans are to strip the motor, front forks, wheels, and a few other miscellaneous things to build the said bobber and put the rest in storage, just in case I want to put it all back to original. I will build my own frame, pipes, handlebars, you name it so as not to ruin anything about the originals. The only thing I will do is rephase the motor, but that will be done later.
So, for right now, I'm going to enjoy this bike just the way she is and only start the change once I have the parts and money to do so. In saying that, I've got some questions for you fine people.
1. After cleaning out the tank and petcocks (this bike had been sitting for awhile and was caked with rust deposits all over inside the tank and varnish deposits throughout the carbs & petcocks), I put everything all back together to get her going and she started right up! She is running a little rough and does better when given more throttle. I did buy a simple rebuild kit for each carb off of Mike'sXS because I lost an o-ring and ruined a needle valve in the process of taking them apart and getting things cleaned (put the needle valve in solvent and melted the rubber tip....lesson learned). How do I diagnose where the problem is coming from not knowing the in's/out's of carb part functions? It has the stock air cleaners and nothing else seems to be disconnected (vacuum hoses, etc).
2. The clutch is very stiff and will stall the bike pretty easy if I don't give it plenty of gas off the start. It also has a tendency to slip a little at higher RPM's, or at least in 5th gear when I'm topped out. Is it time for a new clutch, or do I just need to make adjustments?
I have many questions on rephasing and have read the thread here on doing so, but will save those for the rebuild. Well, that's about it for now. I also have more questions but can't think of them at the moment. Now it's 2:30am and I'm starting to space out staring at this screen. I will be sure to post up pics later for you so don't fret. Thanks again, and I look forward to getting acquainted with fellow riders here. Take it easy!
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