Hey - New member, first thread; also a question about crankcase cover being cut

[Dobernado]

Hey, new guy from Kansas here. Just picked up a '80 XS650 for a café racer or street tracker project. This is my first Yamaha bike and learning a bunch of stuff about it just by lurking on this site the past couple of weeks. One question that I have that I can't seem to find an answer for is why my left side crankcase cover has been intentionally cut. I included a photo to show what I mean by this. Is this something a flat track racer did or some other reason? At least they did a decent job cutting it.

 

[Jim]

Hi new guy from Kansas. Welcome to the nuthouse.

Hard to know what's in someone's mind.... we can only guess. My guess would be the PO slung a chain and bent the shift shaft.... taking the left cover with it. The good news is covers are readily available at places like Ebay.

Might be a good idea to closely inspect the entire sprocket area for more damage. Slung chains can wreak havoc in there.

 

[Jim]

Btw... we love pics here. Show us the bike?

 

[gggGary]

Hi new guy from Kansas. Welcome to the nuthouse.

Hard to know what's in someone's mind.... we can only guess. My guess would be the PO slung a chain and bent the shift shaft.... taking the left cover with it. The good news is covers are readily available at places like Ebay.

Might be a good idea to closely inspect the entire sprocket area for more damage. Slung chains can wreak havoc in there.

One place you want to be looking.

The cover supports the shift shaft close to where the force from the lever is trying to bend the shaft.

 

[Dobernado]

Oh hell, I didn't even think about a slung off chain. Makes sense for sure! However, there doesn't appear to have any damage around the sprocket or shift shaft. It shall remain a mystery I suppose. Anyways, I've included a photo of the present condition of the XS. I just started it yesterday with some rebuilt 38's that came with the bike. These won't be in on the bike in the future as some VM32 carbs is more to my liking. Also, I think I might be undoing the fork lowering as I'm planning on getting a 18" wheel for the back with some taller shocks. Not sure as what the stance will look like so that is all up in the air. Its gonna either be a street tracker or Café bike. Mostly for work commutes.

 

[halfmile]

Welcome to the site. It looks like the PO did a lot of the unwanted tab removal and eliminate the center stand too. What 18" rear wheel are you planning to use?

 

[Dobernado]

Welcome to the site. It looks like the PO did a lot of the unwanted tab removal and eliminate the center stand too. What 18" rear wheel are you planning to use?

I hear that an Xs500 rear wheel is probably the best option since it's the same mag design and takes minimal effort to swap over. Any other ideas?

 

[BluzPlayer]

Welcome Dobernado!
Looks like your bike is a great start towards either a tracker or cafe.
Seems like you may have a bit of experience with bikes and the site is filled with an amazing amount of knowledge. The tech section is top shelf and worth spending some time reading. Some members hear know more about these bikes than the men that made them.
Dobernado???
Like a Sharknado with Dobermen?

 

[nj1639]

Looks like the cover was cut for the convenience of removing without having to remove the shifter or the foot peg.....odd.
Welcome aboard!

 

[toglhot]

Errant chains sure can do a bit if damage, this was the damage caused on my 74 when I bought it. I noticed the piece ripped off the top of the crankcase, but when I got it home and had a look I saw the damage was a bit more extensive.

 

[JJames]

Hey, new guy from Kansas here. Just picked up a '80 XS650 for a café racer or street tracker project. This is my first Yamaha bike and learning a bunch of stuff about it just by lurking on this site the past couple of weeks. One question that I have that I can't seem to find an answer for is why my left side crankcase cover has been intentionally cut. I included a photo to show what I mean by this. Is this something a flat track racer did or some other reason? At least they did a decent job cutting it.



View attachment 217969

 

[JJames]

Welcome. Where abouts in Kansas?

 

[Dobernado]

Welcome. Where abouts in Kansas?

Overland Park

 

[Wirenutt]

Back in the day, I knew a guy who cut out that section of left side case so he could get the cover off without pulling the shift lever. Not a great idea, but that was his solution to what he considered a problem.

 

[Dobernado]

Back in the day, I knew a guy who cut out that section of left side case so he could get the cover off without pulling the shift lever off. Not a great idea, but that was his solution to what he considered a problem.

It does make it easier to get the cover off....

 

[5twins]

You'll find all sorts of weird things done to old bikes by no-nothing, would be "mechanics", lol. Just wait, I'll bet you're in for more "treats" as you delve further into your machine.

 

[Dobernado]

You'll find all sorts of weird things done to old bikes by no-nothing, would be "mechanics", lol. Just wait, I'll bet you're in for more "treats" as you delve further into your machine.

oh yeah, its always like that. In my line of work, I routinely have to go behind others for repairing/replacing stuff that isn't done right. And I'm sure this bike is no different.

 

[RustiePyles]

Welcome from just up the road. I suspect that cover was damaged when the bike was dropped once and the PO found it easier to cut the cover than to fix or replace. I wouldn't trust an unsupported shift shaft like that.