78 XS650e build

[Zmccleary7]

Ive recently bought the bike from the fella in the mountains and so far Ive taken the carbs off and have started looking at the wiring.

My question is: It seems that I have an electric ignition system in place of the points system, the problem being it seems I'm missing the engine start button(All I took of the bars was the throttle to take the carbs off) I’m also missing a kill switch all together, am I missing something or did the previous owner/s mess this all up and make it a jumbled mess?

Id like to make it as minimalistic as possible (following somewhat of the thread https://www.xs650.com/threads/kick-start-only-and-a-wiring-diargam-for-dummies.17711/) Could i just hook up the kill switch and then leave her kickstart only?? I have no reallll desire to have a electric start I’m going for the most basic street racer/tracker possible.

Thanks for any and all input/suggestions and help

 

[Its been a long time]

Looks like a completely non standard mess to me. I think I'd be starting from scratch and rewire it in it's entirety.

The rectifier and the regulator look original. Those are the bits I'd be replacing with modern ones anyway.

 

[Wingedwheel]

What’s under the points cover?

 

[gggGary]

Some older Dyna ignition model.

 

[MrBultaco]

Some older Dyna ignition model.

I installed a Dyna III on my '77 back in '78. I don't remember much about it, it worked very well back then.

 

[Zmccleary7]

Looks like a completely non standard mess to me. I think I'd be starting from scratch and rewire it in it's entirety.

The rectifier and the regulator look original. Those are the bits I'd be replacing with modern ones anyway.

Yeah I was afraid that would be the course of action. It’ll make simplifying it easier tho so not to much to complain about

 

[Its been a long time]

Yeah I was afraid that would be the course of action. It’ll make simplifying it easier tho so not to much to complain about

Good decision.

 

[Zmccleary7]

What’s under the points cover?

 

[gggGary]

Keep good records of how the pickups attach to the Dyna ignition module, colors, and terminals. It might be hard to find a diagram for that oldy but maybe goody.

 

[Its been a long time]

^^^ +1. That Dynatek ignition system is well worth looking after if it's still good. I can see it's wired to what looks like the two original ignition coils. I'd be drawing a diagram and taking pictures of how that all wires together.

Regarding the alternator and charging system, it's well worth reading the information in the forum technical section about testing the rotor/stator. Also converting to modern industry standard rectifier and regulator.

 

[Jim]

Yeah I was afraid that would be the course of action. It’ll make simplifying it easier tho so not to much to complain about

Keep these guys on speed dial. Good products, good prices and fast shipping.
https://www.vintageconnections.com/

What's your electrical experience level?

 

[Jim]

Regarding the alternator and charging system, it's well worth reading the information in the forum technical section about testing the rotor/stator. Also converting to modern industry standard rectifier and regulator.

What he said. There's a thread on how to build your own (reliable) reg/rec in there. Can be built for under $50 using automotive parts.

If you want to start off with a freshly rewound alternator rotor that'll last forever... I know a guy...

 

[Zmccleary7]

Keep these guys on speed dial. Good products, good prices and fast shipping.
https://www.vintageconnections.com/

What's your electrical experience level?

Close to zero, outside of installing lights in apartments I know nothing.

 

[Jim]

Close to zero, outside of installing lights in apartments I know nothing.

We have guys here that are electrical geniuses.
If you can follow instructions, you can do it.

 

[Jim]

Curious, did you run the bike before you removed the carbs?

 

[Zmccleary7]

Curious, did you run the bike before you removed the carbs?

No unfortunately, the gas tank was filled with rust from tip to toe, I took the carbs off to see the inside of em and to see if rust spread through and into the engine itself, safe to report it seems to not have and looks to me beautiful.

 

[Jim]

Everyone has their own way of doing things... as it should be.
If it were me, I'd put the carbs back on and make a little bottle tank to feed 'em and see if it'll run before the big teardown.
Be nice to know going in what kinda shape the engine's in.

 

[Zmccleary7]

Everyone has their own way of doing things... as it should be.
If it were me, I'd put the carbs back on and make a little bottle tank to feed 'em and see if it'll run before the big teardown.
Be nice to know going in what kinda shape the engine's in.

Honestly didn't think to use a bottle, I ordered a rust repair and tank seal kit online and was gonna wait for that process to be done before I tried anything. I do also plan on buying a new carb kit anyhow just to have something more modern and tuned.

 

[Jim]

also plan on buying a new carb kit anyhow just to have something more modern and tuned.

Gotta couple more suggestions. First...

Ask here before buying parts. Combined we have tons of experience buying parts. There's good and not so good vendors. Asking here first will save you time, money and sanity.
.... and I'll just throw out here that MikesXS is considered a vendor of last resort 'round these my parts.

Second, start a "build thread." Think of it as a journal to document what's what. Makes an easy reference to fall back on in the future and keeps all questions in one, easy to reference place. Also give us something to do.
Alternatively you could just rename this thread and call it your build thread.

 

[Zmccleary7]

Gotta couple more suggestions. First...

Ask here before buying parts. Combined we have tons of experience buying parts. There's good and not so good vendors. Asking here first will save you time, money and sanity.
.... and I'll just throw out here that MikesXS is considered a vendor of last resort 'round these parts.

Second, start a "build thread." Think of it as a journal to document what's what. Makes an easy reference to fall back on in the future and keeps all questions in one, easy to reference place. Also give us something to do.
Alternatively you could just rename this thread and call it your build thread.

Smart smart man, I’ve been shopping around multiple websites, for carbs I planned on a Murray's kit. Everything else I’ve looked from mixesXS to TC-bros, to eBay parts here in a sec on ill be on my way to get a bottle and some gas to test the bike