81 XS650 running but have issues

Kyleshep49

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So i purchased this 81 in pieces about 6 months ago and have been piecing it together and upgrading same time. No idea the history of it. I did the PMA kit from mikes with the electronic ignition. I wired the bike from scratch with no starter kick only. I also installed a carb kit on the 34s with i think it was 145 and 45 and need kit where i had to also drill the lift hole bigger and i have the needle in slot 3 like it says. So it’s now running and i got the timing really close at first then i just checked again after the carb was done and it seems to want to run a lot better when advanced pretty far. I had it at the correct timing but it would be real sluggish and want to die. I checked the cam chain tension and it’s good still. I haven’t balanced the carbs or whatever (I’m learning everything as i go). The fuel air is at 3 1/4 turns each. There seems to be a lot of popping when you rev it but not terrible. I will note i installed these pipes with the add on exhaust parts in the ports and in between the muffler and header. Anyways when it’s advanced a lot it pulls great and feels strong but i don’t want to ruin anything. I feel like my carbs are an issue cause sometimes when trying to start it kinda backfired out the pod filter. Not sure if i should take it to a shop for the final tune or try and figure this out. I will ad a video of it running, this was with it at correct timing but ran crappy when actually taking it out. Any suggestions?
 
So i purchased this 81 in pieces about 6 months ago and have been piecing it together and upgrading same time. No idea the history of it. I did the PMA kit from mikes with the electronic ignition. I wired the bike from scratch with no starter kick only. I also installed a carb kit on the 34s with i think it was 145 and 45 and need kit where i had to also drill the lift hole bigger and i have the needle in slot 3 like it says. So it’s now running and i got the timing really close at first then i just checked again after the carb was done and it seems to want to run a lot better when advanced pretty far. I had it at the correct timing but it would be real sluggish and want to die. I checked the cam chain tension and it’s good still. I haven’t balanced the carbs or whatever (I’m learning everything as i go). The fuel air is at 3 1/4 turns each. There seems to be a lot of popping when you rev it but not terrible. I will note i installed these pipes with the add on exhaust parts in the ports and in between the muffler and header. Anyways when it’s advanced a lot it pulls great and feels strong but i don’t want to ruin anything. I feel like my carbs are an issue cause sometimes when trying to start it kinda backfired out the pod filter. Not sure if i should take it to a shop for the final tune or try and figure this out. I will ad a video of it running, this was with it at correct timing but ran crappy when actually taking it out. Any suggestions?
Shoot sorry not sure how to add video
 
Very little info ..for having a chance giving advice
First that comes to mind is checking for intake and exhausts leaks.
But pictures and video would make a difference.

what is that

i had to also drill the lift hole bigger
 
That carb kit is for a worked engine. Do not, and i repeat do not buy stuff and alter parts, (especially carbs), on mechanical parts unless you know what you are doing.

Mikes will sell you anything, and state anything in their adds, with out any communication novices have no idea what they are buying or if it will suit their bike or what they are doing.

Going up or down on jet sizes are a direct correlation to exhausts, header pipe size and weather your using factory air box or a Uni-filter. Pods with pleted skirts are not CV carb friendly due to how they deliver the air
 
That carb kit is for a worked engine. Do not, and i repeat do not buy stuff and alter parts, (especially carbs), on mechanical parts unless you know what you are doing.

Mikes will sell you anything, and state anything in their adds, with out any communication novices have no idea what they are buying or if it will suit their bike or what they are doing.

Going up or down on jet sizes are a direct correlation to exhausts, header pipe size and weather your using factory air box or a Uni-filter. Pods with pleted skirts are not CV carb friendly due to how they deliver the air
 
Ok, yeah when i bought this the PO had a ton of parts in a box he had been buying for the bike to eventually build it. I am running these Uni foam pod filters, they have a spring in them. The PO had some fabric pod filters with it are those better? I’ve been reading a lot of posts tonight on here about timing. Making me wonder if i have a worn cam chain or something but i want to double check my timing marks are correct and it doesn’t have a tachometer to set for idle timing or whatever so doing everything by sound. I’ve only known motorcross bikes mainly two strokes so figuring this stuff out is fun but I’m at the point where i just wanna ride!
 
Here’s a quick pic of what i have so far
 

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More photos, don’t understand how to post videos yet
 

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First off if you put that bike together from a pile of parts, kudos to you! A stretched cam chain would cause the issue you are having however I have seen how an added electronic ignition can compensate for some of that. I guess it would really depend on how bad it was stretched. Do you have any info on what else may have been done to that engine?
 
Here’s a quick pic of what i have so far
Kyle, nice XS, but you have to remove the # plate. 49 has been my number since 1976 when I was racing a '57 Chevy dirt car, and since then a long line of 49's in other disciplines. Seriously man, it's mine. LOL She sound good too.
 
If it was me I would advance the timing a little step by step ( I believe it is to late / retarded ) looking for a better throttle response and suspecting to lean mixture .
I would check with full choke and no choke
The carburetor setting can be more tricky to get right and those that knows those things perhaps can come in
 
Kyle, nice XS, but you have to remove the # plate. 49 has been my number since 1976 when I was racing a '57 Chevy dirt car, and since then a long line of 49's in other disciplines. Seriously man, it's mine. LOL She sound good too.
Haha that’s funny it’s been my racing number since i was a kid racing dirtbike’s (wasn’t born until 86 so you got me).
 

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First off if you put that bike together from a pile of parts, kudos to you! A stretched cam chain would cause the issue you are having however I have seen how an added electronic ignition can compensate for some of that. I guess it would really depend on how bad it was stretched. Do you have any info on what else may have been done to that engine?
Yeah i purchased it and i loaded a frame, and engine separate and a huge box of parts and had never owned or ridden this particular bike before, just kinda figured they were all about the same. I had just finished another bike (first bike build cutting/welding/bending) a 82 Honda XL250R that I’ve been racing flat track in Miami here and there. That what drew me to this 650 was the look for a street tracker. Here’s a pic of that Honda build i did, not perfect but it was a fun practice for me
 

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So just took it for a short ride. Started good was running great then all of the sudden it’s like the timing just started changing. Limped it home and too off my two cam end covers. I seen the little pin that keeps that rod lined up for center was just sitting there. I was worried about those pins from the beginning not fitting tight enough, i even red locktited them
In. So I’m assuming that was my issue with getting this thing timed and it changing so much right? What a better fix for the pin so it stays? I also noticed a little oil dripping from the bottom of the right side cover, looks like maybe even from the oil filter area and around the bottom of the cylinder (See pics)
 

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