79’ XS650 Airboxes Have Me Dazed And Confused

[Thraxxface]

I’ve seen a few posts scattered throughout the forums about the airboxes but it doesn’t seem like anyone is answering questions about this particular issue. The joint between my airboxes is deteriorated and the PO used electrical tape to “seal” it. I’ve recently been trying to get an accurate dial on my vacuum as I’m about to take her on our first 500 mile journey but I know that that joint is going to cause me some issues. I’ve looked around for a replacement but every website has a different shaped jointed (outside end angles inward rather than the original angled outward slightly to catch the other Airbox joint). Did Yamaha change to design of the joint? If not where can I buy an OEM version of it?

I know people are going to try and give me advice on how to “Jerry rig” it but this is one of those things that I’d like to have done with the proper pieces so it’s working as effectively as possible.

 

[Its been a long time]

I’ve seen a few posts scattered throughout the forums about the airboxes but it doesn’t seem like anyone is answering questions about this particular issue. The joint between my airboxes is deteriorated and the PO used electrical tape to “seal” it. I’ve recently been trying to get an accurate dial on my vacuum as I’m about to take her on our first 500 mile journey but I know that that joint is going to cause me some issues. I’ve looked around for a replacement but every website has a different shaped jointed (outside end angles inward rather than the original angled outward slightly to catch the other Airbox joint). Did Yamaha change to design of the joint? If not where can I buy an OEM version of it?

I know people are going to try and give me advice on how to “Jerry rig” it but this is one of those things that I’d like to have done with the proper pieces so it’s working as effectively as possible.

This worked perfectly on my 77 650D.

https://www.heidentuning.com/xs650-...er-joint-between-air-filter-boxes-detail.html

Same thing will be available elsewhere for certain.

 

[Thraxxface]

This worked perfectly on my 77 650D.

https://www.heidentuning.com/xs650-...er-joint-between-air-filter-boxes-detail.html

Same thing will be available elsewhere for certain.

See, that’s what I’ve been looking at but comparing the diagram to the actual airboxes they don’t line up. MikesXS has the same one on his site and the joint looks like opposite side almost like Yamaha removed the OEM style and changed to a different sealing technique. I know I have stock airboxes, I’m looking at a half a dozen of them on Ebay right now. The left airbox has a rubber female joint wrapped around a small lip and the right side has a solid steel male joint that slides into the rubber joint. So the real question is, what am I missing here?

 

[Thraxxface]

This worked perfectly on my 77 650D.

https://www.heidentuning.com/xs650-...er-joint-between-air-filter-boxes-detail.html

Same thing will be available elsewhere for certain.

There’s a clear difference here unless I’m retarded and looking at the new joint backwards.

 

[Its been a long time]

There’s a clear difference here unless I’m retarded and looking at the new joint backwards.

Looks to me that there is old, perished rubber that wants pulling off the box on the left in the picture. All I can say really is the part I got works perfectly on my 77 650D. Looks like the same part you need to me.

 

[member43148]

Be particular (as you are) regarding what is described in the sale.
Many times the item shown is not what is described by year / model.
Be aware that there are actually 3 1979 XS650 models and likely the “Standard” air box differs from the “Special” air box in components.

 

[Its been a long time]

Be particular (as you are) regarding what is described in the sale.
Many times the item shown is not what is described by year / model.
Be aware that there are actually 3 1979 XS650 models and likely the “Standard” air box differs from the “Special” air box in components.

Just double checked at Partzilla. The fitment table shown there leads me to suggest it's the correct part for both standard and special versions.

https://www.partzilla.com/product/y...?ref=cccba7882b1915e9f75613cf61c99983d6786120

 

[Thraxxface]

Be particular (as you are) regarding what is described in the sale.
Many times the item shown is not what is described by year / model.
Be aware that there are actually 3 1979 XS650 models and likely the “Standard” air box differs from the “Special” air box in components.

I’m trying really hard here. I gave up and if it doesn’t fit I’ll take the loss. I have a picture of the airboxes without the OEM joint and it does look like the new joint slides over the opposite side male joint and into the left airbox rather than OEM style.

 

[Thraxxface]

Just double checked at Partzilla. The fitment table shown there leads me to suggest it's the correct part for both standard and special versions.

https://www.partzilla.com/product/y...?ref=cccba7882b1915e9f75613cf61c99983d6786120

All of the airboxes are the same. That’s the beauty of this bike. So many parts are interchangeable across many models.

 

[Its been a long time]

I’m trying really hard here. I gave up and if it doesn’t fit I’ll take the loss. I have a picture of the airboxes without the OEM joint and it does look like the new joint slides over the opposite side male joint and into the left airbox rather than OEM style.

They're exactly the same as fitted to my 77 650D. The part I linked to is correct.

 

[Thraxxface]

They're exactly the same as fitted to my 77 650D. The part I linked to is correct.

I need you to tear down your entire air intake system and send me detailed pictures. No pics, no proof.

 

[jetmechmarty]

What year model is this XS650. I believe there are at least three different airboxes. I can see it's not a late model with plastic boxes.

Add your bike model to your signature. XS650 plus one or two letters.

 

[member43148]

All of the airboxes are the same. That’s the beauty of this bike. So many parts are interchangeable across many models.

Read it on the internet, it’s true.

 

[650Skull]

Read it on the internet, it’s true.

Be particular (as you are) regarding what is described in the sale.
Many times the item shown is not what is described by year / model.
Be aware that there are actually 3 1979 XS650 models and likely the “Standard” air box differs from the “Special” air box in components.

Being around for 10 years I thought you would know Partzilla can be used for referencing part #'s and the list of their interchangeability between models

 

[noodlenoggin]

Hey! I happen to have a '79 650F out in the garage with the airboxes off it and the original connector.

I can't vouch for whether it's the same as a '77 or not, but it sure looks like the rubber piece Thraxxface posted. On the one side, it has a channel that the short flange goes into, and there's that spring-band holding it. Then the rounded male end slides into-- um, the. Wait. The longer piece goes into the rubber connector. Hopefully at least the pics make sense.

Also, I now know that mine is COMPLETELY rotted because it tore when I barely touched it. I think if I touch it again it's gonna explode and burn the house down.

 

[Its been a long time]

And, as if by magic. Here's my 1977 XS650D airboxes fitted with the rubber connector I first linked to on the Heiden Tuning website. The carburettor rubbers are from Heiden Tuning too -

 

[member43148]

So are the 78/79 Special airbox halves the same as the 77/78/79 Standard airbox halves ? Side covers differ.

Being around for 10 years I thought you would know Partzilla can be used for referencing part #'s and the list of their interchangeability between models

Shoot Skull you may have mistaken me for another member again as I in 10 years have not even googled “partzilla” nope, don’t use the site.
Tho I have owned 4 77-79 Standards, but only two 79 Specials/ Special II. (No air boxes)
Actually, on my Standards I’ve owned I only kept one with the air box, that stock 79F.
Understand that it may be preferable to just toss the old air box halves, rotten rubber, old filters, bent clamps, etc and go with the Uni Pod filters which do tuck in very nicely behind the steel side panels. They fit very nice in there and doesn’t really seem to be any said air turbulence behind those stock steel side panels.
And of course in my years of history, remember how I search out those short 80’ up single out let breathers to tidy it up ?
Ya, Uni Pods on 79 BS38’s, side covers, single out let breather for eye appeal, proper jetting up and it’s a done deal on the XS’s for me. Cheaper than fixing the stock components and very user friendly.

 

[jaybar6]

And, as if by magic. Here's my 1977 XS650D airboxes fitted with the rubber connector I first linked to on the Heiden Tuning website. The carburettor rubbers are from Heiden Tuning too -

View attachment 334667

hi long time, you take great pictures! I collect all your picts and put the in my files.
what camera are you using?

 

[Its been a long time]

hi long time, you take great pictures! I collect all your picts and put the in my files.
what camera are you using?

Thanks. Nothing special at all. A four year old Android phone