77 XS650 Re-Build

[bikerjack]

First of all, thanks to all who have helped out with the technical aspects of the XS. My 77 was found sunk down in the mud, past the bottom of the frame and SOOOO many dirt dobber nests on/in it. Motor out of the frame and the frame looks good. And yes, checked the bottom of the frame. No cracks or splits from sitting in the mud. Within 3 hours, heads and cylinders removed. Not cracking into the lower end cause everything in there looks brand new, from a flashlight point of view. Valves are not seating and have so much carbon on them. Cylinder walls look smooth except for a thin line of faint roughness in left side. Not enough to redo the cylinders. Top of pistons are carboned up pretty bad. Wrist pins are super tight. So, after a valve tool is acquired, I will be able to get a better look at that part. Will put pics up soon.

 

[bikerjack]

finally got some pics taken and then shrunken down for the forum.

 

[pa23driver]

your're not gonna chop it are you?

i'm just finishing up my 77 650 standard light cafe build - well as finished as its gonna get for this upcoming riding season. i got a feeling it'll never be completely finished, its a good thing.

what are your plans for the bike?

 

[bikerjack]

negative on the chop. not going to molest the frame whatsoever. i have no front fender and i think i may keep it that way. im rolling around the idea of a bobber/cafe. a mix of both. the chrome rear fender is dinged a bit and scratched. it probably will not stay chrome. drag bars are on my grocery list, for sure.

 

[nj1639]

Nice touch with the elusive 'xs650' cam end covers. I'd keep an eye out for a sight glass right engine cover too, just cosmetics.

 

[bikerjack]

And now I know why someone pushed this 77 XS650 off behind a shed and let it sit after just 24,994 miles.......the pics show the left side exhaust valve bent at an odd angle. Getting the valve and spring apart was tedious.....one half of the spring would not compress. I knew right then that it was a bent valve. The pistons have cleaned up nicely, though. So, if anyone wants to get rid of a stock exhaust valve for a 77, I would be more than happy to take it off of your hands.