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First tx650 and I'm stumped. Why won't it start?
- Thread starter BSomerfield
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- help please starter tx650
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That's easy: BS carbs are rubbish, VM carbs aren't.
eidemaddin
XS650 Enthusiast
Luckily, after all the many changes, it started again. But from this point on I would only proceed step by step, otherwise you won't know whether new problems have arisen in addition to the original one and what they are.
The fact is that it was running when you bought it. So there can't be so much broken that would require replacing half the engine as a precaution.
I'm writing this because the exact same thing happened to me: At the location of sale the XS started but produced a few misfires here and there. Back home, after 150 miles on the trailer she no longer showed any sign of life. Electric starter, kicker, all to no avail. The battery had full voltage. The plugs produced sparks in the open air, but were completely black and wet.
Well, everything looked like I had a major carb problem, or at least that it was running way too rich. But in reality, the ignition timing turned out to be completely wrong on both sides, and this much too early. The contact ignition on the XS seems to tend in this direction without frequent maintenance, at least this wasn't my first case of this kind.
Anyway, after setting it up correctly, she still didn't say anything. When examining the spark plugs more closely, i noticed that some of the sparks were hitting ground directly sideways from the anode insulation. The problem with NGK's is often that the insulator fails once it has been completely soaked in gasoline. Sometimes the function can be restored by strong heating, sometimes not.
However, with new NGK's, this XS runs perfectly once the ignition was set correctly and usually starts straight away on the first kick. The spark plugs are nice and light brown. Other than adjusting the ignition and replacing the plugs, I hadn't done anything up to that point.
So in this case it was a small cause with big effect, but with hints into the wrong direction and with similar symptoms to your bike. The fact that yours started again with new plugs also indicates this. Of course, if the cause is not eliminated, they will soon fail again. But it definitely makes sense to check the simplest things first before you start replacing parts everywhere at the same time.
And another piece of advice that has already been given: if in doubt, only give the bike to someone who is familiar with the XS. Decades of experience with a particular vehicle are priceless and can't be caught up on so quickly
The fact is that it was running when you bought it. So there can't be so much broken that would require replacing half the engine as a precaution.
I'm writing this because the exact same thing happened to me: At the location of sale the XS started but produced a few misfires here and there. Back home, after 150 miles on the trailer she no longer showed any sign of life. Electric starter, kicker, all to no avail. The battery had full voltage. The plugs produced sparks in the open air, but were completely black and wet.
Well, everything looked like I had a major carb problem, or at least that it was running way too rich. But in reality, the ignition timing turned out to be completely wrong on both sides, and this much too early. The contact ignition on the XS seems to tend in this direction without frequent maintenance, at least this wasn't my first case of this kind.
Anyway, after setting it up correctly, she still didn't say anything. When examining the spark plugs more closely, i noticed that some of the sparks were hitting ground directly sideways from the anode insulation. The problem with NGK's is often that the insulator fails once it has been completely soaked in gasoline. Sometimes the function can be restored by strong heating, sometimes not.
However, with new NGK's, this XS runs perfectly once the ignition was set correctly and usually starts straight away on the first kick. The spark plugs are nice and light brown. Other than adjusting the ignition and replacing the plugs, I hadn't done anything up to that point.
So in this case it was a small cause with big effect, but with hints into the wrong direction and with similar symptoms to your bike. The fact that yours started again with new plugs also indicates this. Of course, if the cause is not eliminated, they will soon fail again. But it definitely makes sense to check the simplest things first before you start replacing parts everywhere at the same time.
And another piece of advice that has already been given: if in doubt, only give the bike to someone who is familiar with the XS. Decades of experience with a particular vehicle are priceless and can't be caught up on so quickly
BSomerfield
XS650 Enthusiast
Unhelpful.
BSomerfield
XS650 Enthusiast
Update:
The bike starts reliably after new sparks, one new point, and starting gear replacement. I had to grind down the pin to fit in the slot but that didn't seem to cause any issues and I only took off just enough and as evenly as possible so it's not going to break.
I'm replacing the cheap $20 hydraulic clutch that I drained accidentally and can't fill back up with a cable clutch like the original should be.
I also need to fix the back drum brake which seems to operate but isn't providing any stopping power.
After that I need to figure out the front brakes which I have components for but I don't know if I have everything for the assembly yet. It's also hydraulic which does not bode well for me lol
Thanks for the help guys, I couldn't have gotten this far without you.
The bike starts reliably after new sparks, one new point, and starting gear replacement. I had to grind down the pin to fit in the slot but that didn't seem to cause any issues and I only took off just enough and as evenly as possible so it's not going to break.
I'm replacing the cheap $20 hydraulic clutch that I drained accidentally and can't fill back up with a cable clutch like the original should be.
I also need to fix the back drum brake which seems to operate but isn't providing any stopping power.
After that I need to figure out the front brakes which I have components for but I don't know if I have everything for the assembly yet. It's also hydraulic which does not bode well for me lol
Thanks for the help guys, I couldn't have gotten this far without you.
Rear brake shoe and drum may be glazed, try cleaning both thoroughly with sand paper and rinse off with brake clean. Wear a mask unless you know it's asbestos free.
Here's a write-up on drum brake servicing. See post #3 .....
https://www.xs650.com/threads/how-difficult-is-it-to-replace-the-rear-drum-brakes.25632/
https://www.xs650.com/threads/how-difficult-is-it-to-replace-the-rear-drum-brakes.25632/
BSomerfield
XS650 Enthusiast
Just in case anyone was vying for an update. I got the bike started and tuned, it's running... kinda good I guess? Still need to do more work but it's starting and I was able to test ride it a bit. Thanks for all the help!
