aaronrkelly
XS650 Addict
1979 XS650....hardtailed by previous owner. Bought the bike and rode it probably 300 or so miles no problems.
Doing some "routine maintenance" I found a chunk of the 5th gear dog in the bottom of the oil pan.....and it had low compression so during winter I tore the motor down.
new top end
new 5th gear and 5th gear over drive from Mikes
put it back together
The problem is going down the highway it ocassionaly acts like the cluch just "lets go".
The motors revs
bike looses momentum
Its not a "little" slip.....it acts just as if you pulled in the clutch.
If you let out of the throttle a little bit it goes back to a-ok. Then you can hammer back on it and no problems.
I had it happen 3 times in 200 miles......2 times in 50 miles x 2. Its consistent but random. Happened at 52......happened at 65. Happened under load (going uphill in the wind)......happens going down hill. You cant MAKE it happen.....IE lug the shit out of it....no problems......blast down the highway at 85 wound to hell....no problems.
1st - I replaced the clutch friction disks with Vesrah units and put new Vesrah heavy duty clutch springs in. Some of the friction disks had uneven wear. Springs - likely worn out but I didnt test them.
.......no change
2nd - I replaced the steels with units from Mikes (EMGO units). The old ones looked fine but man, somethings got improve. Also swapped out the Vesrah heavy duty clutch springs (13% stronger then stock according to 650 Central) for Barnett heavy duty springs (49% stronger then stock). I also replaced the two piece clutch rod with a one piece clutch rod. The ball is in the motor side.....and one is on the clutch cover side.
.......no change
Its got a new Motion Pro cable. Ive followed the adustment procedure (1/4 turn out on worm after it touched - slack at the perch on the bars). Ive got no idea what the PO ran for oil....but Im using Rotella T.
In fact Ive adjusted the clutch so slack just to diagnose, that with the bike in gear and the clutch pulled in.....it will "creep" a bit. Took it out.....still a problem.
I like a challenge....but damn.
NOW.....Im a BIG Rotella T fan.....Ive got 7 road bikes......4 atvs........3 dirt bikes - they ALL use Rotella T - never had a problem.
Just for giggles its out draining now - going to try some real MC oil - Valvoline 20w50.....but I really dont expect it to change anything - just checking stuff off the list.
Ive thought several times.....self.....you changed 5th gear......it was fine before and it aint fine now. Im no engineer.....but I just cant see how that would affect this. It does NOT jump out of gear. I could see IF the bike was coming out of 5th into a false neutral or something but it doesnt. Ive never had to touch the shifter - just let off the throttle a titch and shes back in business.
Im a big guy.....6ft4in and 340 lbs....but again, dont see how that should be a problem.
Any other info - just ask.
Im REALLY getting turned off on this bike....its not impressing me.
Runs great.....starts 1st kick......idles perfect......doesnt leak........just this one problem.....if I could get it fixed Id be thrilled shitless.
My mechanic (a friend of mine) works on old Jap bikes for a living - 5 days a week.....for 20 years. We are at a loss.
He has a XS650 setting over there stock.....Im thinking about swapping out the clutch baskets and seeing if THAT makes a difference....but again, everything looks great.
Doing some "routine maintenance" I found a chunk of the 5th gear dog in the bottom of the oil pan.....and it had low compression so during winter I tore the motor down.
new top end
new 5th gear and 5th gear over drive from Mikes
put it back together
The problem is going down the highway it ocassionaly acts like the cluch just "lets go".
The motors revs
bike looses momentum
Its not a "little" slip.....it acts just as if you pulled in the clutch.
If you let out of the throttle a little bit it goes back to a-ok. Then you can hammer back on it and no problems.
I had it happen 3 times in 200 miles......2 times in 50 miles x 2. Its consistent but random. Happened at 52......happened at 65. Happened under load (going uphill in the wind)......happens going down hill. You cant MAKE it happen.....IE lug the shit out of it....no problems......blast down the highway at 85 wound to hell....no problems.
1st - I replaced the clutch friction disks with Vesrah units and put new Vesrah heavy duty clutch springs in. Some of the friction disks had uneven wear. Springs - likely worn out but I didnt test them.
.......no change
2nd - I replaced the steels with units from Mikes (EMGO units). The old ones looked fine but man, somethings got improve. Also swapped out the Vesrah heavy duty clutch springs (13% stronger then stock according to 650 Central) for Barnett heavy duty springs (49% stronger then stock). I also replaced the two piece clutch rod with a one piece clutch rod. The ball is in the motor side.....and one is on the clutch cover side.
.......no change
Its got a new Motion Pro cable. Ive followed the adustment procedure (1/4 turn out on worm after it touched - slack at the perch on the bars). Ive got no idea what the PO ran for oil....but Im using Rotella T.
In fact Ive adjusted the clutch so slack just to diagnose, that with the bike in gear and the clutch pulled in.....it will "creep" a bit. Took it out.....still a problem.
I like a challenge....but damn.
NOW.....Im a BIG Rotella T fan.....Ive got 7 road bikes......4 atvs........3 dirt bikes - they ALL use Rotella T - never had a problem.
Just for giggles its out draining now - going to try some real MC oil - Valvoline 20w50.....but I really dont expect it to change anything - just checking stuff off the list.
Ive thought several times.....self.....you changed 5th gear......it was fine before and it aint fine now. Im no engineer.....but I just cant see how that would affect this. It does NOT jump out of gear. I could see IF the bike was coming out of 5th into a false neutral or something but it doesnt. Ive never had to touch the shifter - just let off the throttle a titch and shes back in business.
Im a big guy.....6ft4in and 340 lbs....but again, dont see how that should be a problem.
Any other info - just ask.
Im REALLY getting turned off on this bike....its not impressing me.
Runs great.....starts 1st kick......idles perfect......doesnt leak........just this one problem.....if I could get it fixed Id be thrilled shitless.
My mechanic (a friend of mine) works on old Jap bikes for a living - 5 days a week.....for 20 years. We are at a loss.
He has a XS650 setting over there stock.....Im thinking about swapping out the clutch baskets and seeing if THAT makes a difference....but again, everything looks great.
