Another XS650 that won't start...

[tspcs]

I have a XS650 that won't start I have cleaned the carburetors even though one is leaking I don't care I have replaced the condenser I have also disassembled the side cover and tightened up the starter spring to get it to engage again I have spark even though it's not very good spark it is still the present I have replaced the battery as well

I compression tested both cylinders and they are both over 120 PSI

I have sprayed half a can of starting fluid both into the air intake of both carburetors and going as far as taking out the spark plugs and spraying it down into the cylinders and I don't even get so much as a pop

I am sick of spending time on this bike and I definitely don't want to spend any more money any ideas are welcome please help if somebody wants it let me know I have the title in hand I am in Idaho I'll make sure the price is right

 

[Wingedwheel]

These old bikes aren’t magical creatures that just run no matter what. They need the same thing any other bike needs. Spark/fuel/compression. Seems you eliminated one now let’s look at the other two. Fuel, you say your carb is leaking. That could be a # of issues..Did you try the spray with the carbs off? Even with carbs off an engine with good spark will fire. Read the carb guides in tech. Got a spark but it’s weak? Checked your timing? . I hate to say it but you have to be willing to put in the time and sometimes it’s good to walk away for a day or so.
https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/x/xs650-manual-xs650chopper-1.3.pdf

 

[JOHNDADDY]

A bit more history would help. your old bike, been sitting how long, just bought it etc?
Has it been worked on? I'd start with that weak spark and timing.
The tech section has boatloads of info.

 

[tspcs]

I got the bike from a friend he said it ran in 2012 but the starter was broken so I bought the bike just figuring he had botched the starter and he did he got it all apart but couldn't figure something out with it then the bike sat for years until I got it and found that spring had lost its tensione I put it all back together and cleaned the carbs then it sat for another year and I figured I would try to get it going.

Now I'm stuck lol and I can't figure out why it won't come back to life I can take the side cover off and spin everything around and make sure that all of the marks line up yet again but I don't think that is it since it has good compression both cylinders everything should be timed and clocked correctly the thing is the engine shows zero signs of Life and it cranks over good with that new battery.

My biggest concern is spending a bunch of money on it and then still not having it start and the parts that come next would be the coils and points those parts are rather spendy plus I'm looking at carburetor replacement because reading on the forum about these carburetors the aftermarket with pods are the way to go because you can't get the air filters and stuff anymore. The unfortunate thing is no one around here is going to buy a bike like this and my only recourse really is to just kind of throw it away and it looks so cool I just hate to do that and it makes me sick thinking about it .

I am honestly considering maybe just doing a swap with a 250cc Chinese dirt bike engine so that I can ride it if I can't figure out this old school technology.

 

[jetmechmarty]

You have to decide whether or not you’re capable of troubleshooting and getting this thing going. That’s going to require learning what makes it tic. We’re here to help. If tinkering with an old bike isn’t your thing, perhaps it’s best to move on. Even a well sorted machine needs regular attention. It’s a serious question to ask yourself.
Where did you read it’s best to replace the carburetors? If you’re paying attention to the right people, the opposite is true. Those folk’s successfully running aftermarket carburetors are way above your level.
Fixing this bike isn’t expensive if you fix what is broken. If you’re going to throw parts at it it will quickly drain your wallet.

Best wishes, no matter the direction you take.

 

[mike in idaho]

Where, in Idaho?, maybe I could give you a hand.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

You can make it run. Patience and time and yes some cash but you don't have to go broke to make a runner.
You're in the right place, look at tech, read some threads. Get familiar with these bikes.
Step by step and you'll be running.
EDIT And with guys like MIke in Idaho, There's Awesome help out there!

 

[AUTOMAN]

I da not noe

 

[tspcs]

Ok so I will try to test the coils this weekend so it's to my understanding there is no hall sensor or magnetic pick up or anything like a modern bike it just has those contacts called points and that cam opens and closes those things to time the spark so what I got to is give the coil 12 volts and open and close those things with a plastic like a sharpie or something and every time I close them it should spark ?

 

[member43148]

Your pic shows your XS outside.
Do you have garage space where you could remove the tank / body and start diagnosing things more conveniently?

 

[kshansen]

Not sure I understand the last post, but with key on and you open and close the points you should see a spark, maybe not be easy to see out in the sun. You might even be able to hear a snapping from the spark. Also if you have the plugs out and hooked to the wire and grounded to the engine which one the points you are move for should be able to see a spark. Hope that makes sense.

If this bike has sat for a long time and is a points ignition I might be checking those first. I know it might be considered crude but maybe a couple quick wipes of the contact with something like an emery board would clean them enough to get some spark. After the emery board wipe the contacts with a clean piece of paper to get any grit off them.

Not to make you feel bad but my 1983 which has only been run once or twice in the last year and only for a short time at that fired up a few minutes ago on the third or fourth hit of the starter button. If it did have the problem of starter kicking out the second one cylinder fires it probably woud have been running at the first hit of the starter!

 

[Bruno_c]

You say that you changed the condensators. Maybe, doing that, you swapped the orange and the grey wire from the points and now the ignition timing is 360 degrees out.
I suggest you check the ignition timing first.

 

[650Skull]

Ok so I will try to test the coils this weekend so it's to my understanding there is no hall sensor or magnetic pick up or anything like a modern bike it just has those contacts called points and that cam opens and closes those things to time the spark so what I got to is give the coil 12 volts and open and close those things with a plastic like a sharpie or something and every time I close them it should spark ?

Honestly, do some research and read up on what points are and how they operate. Points have to be used in conjunction with the cylinders. They need to be set to fire, (create a spark) when the piston is at TDC, (top dead centre), the spark ignites the petrol causing the piston to be pushed back down

If you have weak spark, the ignition won't start the bike. If the spark is firing to far either side of TDC, the engine won't fire. This is timing.

Not only do you need to align the points up with TDC, you then need to adjust the points gap to get the correct spark. If the gap is to small or to wide this will also affect the ignition of the fuel in the chamber. This also goes for the spark plugs. They need to be set right, they can also b faulty needing to b replaced. Get an extra one just in case one is faulty out of the box. Does happen where new plugs have been put in, still problems and spent hours looking in another direction for the problem when it is just a faulty plug

Your manual has information on how to do this. Read up on it and then when you come on here to ask questions for clarification or to understand it makes more sense when rereading the manual.

As someone who knows absolutely nothing about points or the XS650 a paper, (can download a PDF manual) manual at your side at all times when working on the bike is essential.

As Marty points out, this may not b for you. If you decide to persevere and take the time to listen, people on here will be able to guide you through this.

No, parts don't need to b expensive, ask before buying anything and someone will point you in the right direction for the best quality, (could be second hand), parts for best value.

A bit to take in but once grasped you think to yourself, "how simple is that"