Make Offer - ATTN Southern New England folks! '78 XS650 Special

[Ghaniba]

Hey folks - Anyone looking for a project bike in southern New England?

In a perfect world, I'd love to find a father/son that would like to tinker/restore an old bike. I've got a 77/78 XS650 Special, including almost all of it's original parts. I did start a restoration of it - got it all running and riding, and noticed the engine seals were seeping so I stopped riding it. It's sat for a few years now, so it'll need a good cleaning/tinkering to go again, and really should get the case seals redone anyway.

I've got too many projects myself and this one isn't going to make the cut.

You can see what I had documented in my build thread on this site! - https://www.xs650.com/threads/build-thread-1978-xs650-special-edition.9553/ - This bike hasn't been outside, it's been stored indoors for the better part of 20 years at this point.

Anyway - I don't really have a price in mind, but I'd tell you if you tell me you want a bike to chop and mangle - You can take it for $1k - If it's a father-son that wants to do a restore together on a bike, it'd probably be free. It was the first road bike I ever rode, so it has more sentimental value than real money to me, hence my odd pricing.

Dave aka Ghaniba

 

[JesseeS]

I like your style. My xs was my father's and I know how that sentimental thing goes. Just want to say hello from someone close by! I lived in killingly CT and just recently moved back to Chepachet, RI

 

[Ghaniba]

I like your style. My xs was my father's and I know how that sentimental thing goes. Just want to say hello from someone close by! I lived in killingly CT and just recently moved back to Chepachet, RI

Yeah! My father has passed, but the summer before his passing we did a lot of riding together. I just thought man, that would have been cool to do a resto with him - and it struck me with this old girl - I could just keep it for another 20 years, or let someone get some use out of it.

 

[timbeck]

I like your style also . Great idea for a father son project. I'm 82 and have a slow project , I will never ride it but it is a pleasure to tinker with it and my grandson.

tim

 

[Ghaniba]

How has nobody snatched this up yet? I figured it would be gone in a day or two! I'd also entertain a veteran/wounded warrior type donation!

 

[Ghaniba]

Still available!

 

[ThreeToedNewt]

There is a reference to '77/'78. That has the post '78 carb law carbs on it, correct?

My memory may be glitchy, but I remember my 77D having manual choke levers on it.

I am looking for a 77D like the one I had a long time ago.

Do you have a title?

 

[GaryInVA]

If I was closer I would make a trip. My 17 year old son and I are rebuilding the 79 IT400F you see in my profile.

Fantastic offer for a great father/son bonding experience.

 

[nj1639]

There is a reference to '77/'78. That has the post '78 carb law carbs on it, correct?

My memory may be glitchy, but I remember my 77D having manual choke levers on it.

I am looking for a 77D like the one I had a long time ago.

Do you have a title?

Original post said '77/'78 special. I'd venture that adding "special" to the post would make it a '78 and not a '77D. Some pics would be nice if he still has it.........good luck in your search!

 

[650Skull]

Pics and video of it running after a refurb in the link....first post

 

[nj1639]

‘78 Special

 

[ThreeToedNewt]

Pics and video of it running after a refurb in the link....first post

It helps when you scroll, huh? I saw the images up top and stopped. You have done a lot of the ugly stuff already, and done it well!

The electric foot works?!?!? Only time mine did (stock ignition) that was when it was fresh off the charger.

Not what I am looking for unfortunately.

 

[Ghaniba]

hehe Yeah - I thought it was a 78. My buddy (previous owner) found the original registration for it - and it was listed as a 77 - but I think that was from the late 80s - so even that would be questionable. All I have for it is a bill of sale & previous registration - Connecticut doesn't give titles to anything over 20 years. Stupid!

I do still have it, It can sit here forever until I die, then it'll be someone's 'barn find!' lol!

 

[Ghaniba]

Still nobody?

 

[chubbybehemoth]

If I hadn't just bought an 80 special over the summer I would've jumped on this!

 

[JOHNDADDY]

A 79 for my son Eric.
Got together with Ghaniba and made the arrangements.
2 1\2 hrs later in the old Dakota.

It was great to finally meet in person, Dave showed us around and some of his projects, wayy cool.

Dave and Eric.
The bike's in good form, we'll get her to fire then assess what's next.
Bonus. a dozen farm fresh eggs (thanks Dave) and after her first run on interstate the Dakota's running the best it has since I got it last October, extra bonus.
The clutch was frozen on the bike so when we got home I pulled the plugs so we could roll her under the deck. After a couple BEVerages, I rocked her back and forth in 5th gear and she broke loose. Kicking her over obviously really good compression. Guess the clutch plates just wanted some oil.

Eric needs a new laptop but you'all can expect a new member and build thread soon.
Thanks again to Dave, Eric's stoked and I'm lookin forward to some quality time and ridin.

 

[Ghaniba]

Glad you guys picked it up! Super excited to see the build thread! Did you open the MikesXS parcel?

Dave aka Ghan

 

[JOHNDADDY]

New brake pads front and rear.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

She runs! choke only but she runs!
More to come.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

Saturday. The kids came over to see the missus for mother's day and we got to play with the bike a bit.
Charged a 15 yr old batt and it showed voltage. Thought I'd put it in and at least see if lights were working. All ok but the left blinker. No flash and 1 bulb out.
Ok cool, horn? yup front and rear brake light, hi low all good.
Hit the starter, she turned over slow. Humm... Put some gas it and well we don't need to look for leaks
she showed us right off, leaking from the petcock to tank seal. Gaskets are dead flat, ok no biggie.
Looking at the bike and there was fuel left in the lines soooo hit the start again and Broom! High, idle tried shutting off the choke and she died. Choke start Broom, Frickin beautiful, a Runner! Going to sand the tank for a better seal and get petcock gaskets. Looked them up and didn't find. Found ovals with two bridges in between or just round rings. I don't think that's right any suggestions on a supplier?
The boy just pulled in from work, think a head retorque and a bath for today. Next up will be a good carb cleaning. Want to get a good running start and then see what she asks for.
Dave Thanks again!!! As soon as the boy's a member he can start a thread.