'78 XS650 "Nameless"

[Gummy82]

As per due request, a thread for my new XS650!
Photos from when I bought it, and i'll be making a list of things I wanna change and do, and keep you posted on progress!

Picked it up yesterday from the seller, went straight to the local shop tyo get myself:

- Beeline Moto 2 (motor has nothing on it atm, so wanted a sleek and nice GPS speedo and navigation)
- Mirror, bar-end left side (Will change it later to something more sexy, the one on the photo's was not with it)
- New rider jeans and gloves

To do list:
[ ] Swap handlebars (ordered new one already with proper risers)
[ ] Make a little extension on the stand, this one is too short to take out from under the pipe
[ ] Brighter headlight
[ ] Rerunning wires so I now where everything is
[ ] Install m.unit blue and bar end flashers
[ ] Try to get my hands on a fatter tank, I like the originals tbh
[ ] Polish and brighten up the bike
[ ] Rewrap exhaust and make it pretty
[ ] Engine service (runs a little heavy, plops every now and then)
[ ] Add things to this list

Most important:
I NEED A NAME!! Help me please!

The ride home in my van, fits like a glove!!!

 

[Jim]

Following!

 

[Raymond]

Bob, coz it's a bobber. On Sundays, or when you get a bit annoyed with it, then it's Robert. Plus, this one for British fans of Blackadder*, Bob was the very pretty girl-dressed-as-boy in one story-line.

*long-running tv comedy starring the very talented Rowan Atkinson

 

[Jim]

Bob, coz it's a bobber.

Or Bobbie if it turns out it's a "she."

 

[gggGary]

When he's behaving Bobby it is
When she's acting a bit temperamental Bobbie will do.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Artificial Hipster (Artie)
Buford T. Rustus (Buford)

 

[Gummy82]

Thnx sofar, not tickling my balls yet

I was looking into forward controls but can’t really see anything to check if I like it. Does someone have those?

 

[Its been a long time]

I think nameless is a very good name for it.

 

[Gummy82]

Question 1 of prob many to come:

Nameless tends to stall when idle, it hasn't been run for over a year before I got it, prolly carbs dirty?
When revving it runs nicely.

Q2: Its kinda hard to get it into N, there are new clutchplates installed last year, not really sure where to look first to fix it.

 

[Highpower]

Buy a welder and learn how to weld. You can weld your own extension on the stand and once you know how to weld, there is a myriad of mods you can fabricate yourself.

If I could make one suggestion, move the license plate to the other side. When you push a bike (like, for instance putting it in a van) you always push from the left side because that is how you access the kickstand. Having the plate hang out there on the left is a really good way to catch your heel on the plate and hurt the ever-lovin' pee out of your ankle and heel. Ask me how I know.

You might also consider installing some kind of a de minimis front fender to keep road debris/water from coming off the tire and hitting you in the face, another experience thing I have intimate knowledge of.

My last chopper/bobber:

 

[Gummy82]

Buy a welder and learn how to weld. You can weld your own extension on the stand and once you know how to weld, there is a myriad of mods you can fabricate yourself.

If I could make one suggestion, move the license plate to the other side. When you push a bike (like, for instance putting it in a van) you always push from the left side because that is how you access the kickstand. Having the plate hang out there on the left is a really good way to catch your heel on the plate and hurt the ever-lovin' pee out of your ankle and heel. Ask me how I know.

You might also consider installing some kind of a de minimis front fender to keep road debris/water from coming off the tire and hitting you in the face, another experience thing I have intimate knowledge of.

My last chopper/bobber:

I can weld a little, i was think about an old spanner to weld it on to get my stand down more easily.

I think license plates here in NL are supposed to be lefty, but not sure....

Good thing about the front, need to get the color code from the paint as well to see if I can match it.

 

[Wingedwheel]

How about “Domina” because once you have an XS they tend to control your life…

 

[Raymond]

It will stall if tick-over is too slow - there's an adjuster screw on the l/h carb, wind it in a bit to raise the tick-over, I like 1100-1200. If you're happy with the tick-over speed, it might well be muck in the carbs. With a short JIS screwdriver, you might be able to remove the float bowls with the carbs still on the bike. You're looking for how much fine muck is in there - put photos and you'll get plenty of advice. Clean then blow compressed air through the passages. If the bike pops n bangs when you shut the throttle, it's likely muck in the pilot circuit. Look in Tech and there's threads on servicing carbs.

Adjusting the clutch is finicky but well worth taking the time coz when it's right you'll be able to select N and take off will be smoother. Again, threads in Tech, but essentially, wind the adjuster at the l/h handlebar right in, remove the small chrome cap on l/h side of engine near the sprocket, loosen the lock nut, turn the adjuster in until you feel it touch the push rod, wind it back a tiny amount, maybe 30°, tighten the lock nut, replace the cover, adjust at the handlebar for slight play at the lever and you should be good to go. Might take a couple times to get the feel just right.

Good luck!

 

[JJames]

Don't force a name on it, one will come and stick. I don't make it a point to name vehicles, but they usually get nicknames to distinguish them from each other. Are we taking the squealer, the rattler or the wobla?
As for stalling/rough idle. I'd put a carb cleaning near the top of the list for any bike new to me, especially if it's been sitting. While you can do a lot just by pulling the bowls, it looks like the carbs should be relatively easy to pull out of that frame. With the carbs removed, you can do a thorough cleaning. Also noting jet sizes, verifying float height etc. If you are careful, you may not require any new gaskets or other parts.
Nice tasteful bob IMO. I Like the white with dirty wrap.

 

[Gummy82]

It will stall if tick-over is too slow - there's an adjuster screw on the l/h carb, wind it in a bit to raise the tick-over, I like 1100-1200. If you're happy with the tick-over speed, it might well be muck in the carbs. With a short JIS screwdriver, you might be able to remove the float bowls with the carbs still on the bike. You're looking for how much fine muck is in there - put photos and you'll get plenty of advice. Clean then blow compressed air through the passages. If the bike pops n bangs when you shut the throttle, it's likely muck in the pilot circuit. Look in Tech and there's threads on servicing carbs.

Adjusting the clutch is finicky but well worth taking the time coz when it's right you'll be able to select N and take off will be smoother. Again, threads in Tech, but essentially, wind the adjuster at the l/h handlebar right in, remove the small chrome cap on l/h side of engine near the sprocket, loosen the lock nut, turn the adjuster in until you feel it touch the push rod, wind it back a tiny amount, maybe 30°, tighten the lock nut, replace the cover, adjust at the handlebar for slight play at the lever and you should be good to go. Might take a couple times to get the feel just right.

Good luck!

O great, this is great help. Will get to it soon!