Buying a new XS650

[AndersJ]

Now that’s a matter of opinion. With these old bikes, who owns who….

I sit around thinking about my bikes all day…I know they don’t think about me. :/

 

[zrx1100]

welcome! Depending on where in Texas you are, Chris 'Limey' is in Austin and has been building XS650 bikes for at least two decades https://chris-kelland.squarespace.com/

 

[John Regular]

Check the condition of the chain. If it is quite rusty or very worn it could be "thrown", endangering your life and possibly it could get thrown into the left side case, badly damaging your engine.

For all of your stated concerns, you can check the "tech" section for relevant threads or put your issue into the search bar above. You can also google the issue and you will get our forum threads as well as youtube videos on the subject.


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Like this?

 

[John Regular]

Wow, you guys are insanely helpful. I really appreciate all that has been posted in just a couple of hours. @650Skull , I checked again and there has been a plate fabricated onto the back of the seat. Im assuming this is for the license plate/break light, but do you think that I could weld two side brackets on each side below to mount the turn signals? Ive attached a pic that shows the plate that was fabricated. I have friends that can weld/help me out, so that should not be an issue.

Some of the questions I am going to ask -
Check Vin to match title
Inquire about electric ignition/charging system
Check seat mounting
Ask why he gave up on project
Create a parts checklist.
See how it runs/look for any potential issues

If y'all have any other suggestions let me know!

I have a similar situation with my build, it was someone else's project and he cut off the rear loop, and then He cut off every bracket and tab and wire keepers fender mounts. Everything but the elephant ears and the kick stand, then he grinded all the welds down to bare metal, guess He wanted that clean look. I probably know about as much about these bikes as you, but forget twice as much as you do. These guys will hook you up, if they can't answer it no one can. They're Engineers and Jet mechanics, Machinists, Astronauts? One of them might be Ewen Mac Gregor, I don't know. Anyway, welcome to the group, I got lots of parts for a 78 but yours already looks better that the parts I have. Also, They like pictures

 

[YamadudeXS650C]

View attachment 340212View attachment 340213 Like this?

Yup, that might be what happened; a thrown chain. Sometimes the damage is more extensive. How does it look inside the left cover?

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[John Regular]

Yup, that might be what happened; a thrown chain. Sometimes the damage is more extensive. How does it look inside the left cover?

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I didn't appear to have compromised the case when I looked at it but I'll take some pics now that it's daylight.

 

[John Regular]

I didn't appear to have compromised the case when I looked at it but I'll take some pics now that it's daylight.

If I had to guess there was a different side cover on when this happened and it probably got F'd up. the crack is running away from the case but really close to that round part which I assume holds a bushing or bearing or something, it lifted the outside case so I cant get a bolt in that one hole anymore. So anyways, Dude who's thread I hijacked, that can happen

 

[YamadudeXS650C]

View attachment 340263View attachment 340262 If I had to guess there was a different side cover on when this happened and it probably got F'd up. the crack is running away from the case but really close to that round part which I assume holds a bushing or bearing or something, it lifted the outside case so I cant get a bolt in that one hole anymore. So anyways, Dude who's thread I hijacked, that can happen

Yup, you've got the telltale signs of a thrown chain. I recommend that you thoroughly clean the crack areas of the case with gumout/brakeclean (or such), scuff the surfaces with 200 grit sand paper, and then lay a thick layer of classic JBWeld over the crack areas to reinforce/stabilize them.

Highjacking threads is a very common, low seriousness crime.


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