I just got a 1978 XS650 Special

thepaulmcbride

thepaulmcbride

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Hello, I'm Paul, I'm new here! I just picked up a 1978 XS650 Special for $100 and it has less that 10k miles. It was last registered around 10 years ago and has sat in a garage that entire time.

What should I be looking at to revive this thing? It runs, albeit a little rough. This is my first motorcycle but I want to treat it right. I'm reasonably handy but have never owned a bike before. All advice is welcome.
 

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thepaulmcbride said:
Hello, I'm Paul, I'm new here! I just picked up a 1978 XS650 Special for $100 and it has less that 10k miles. It was last registered around 10 years ago and has sat in a garage that entire time.

What should I be looking at to revive this thing? It runs, albeit a little rough. This is my first motorcycle but I want to treat it right. I'm reasonably handy but have never owned a bike before. All advice is welcome.
Click to expand...
For a second there I thought that might be my old bike moto_02941.jpgbut it doesn't have the pin stripe on the tank. I think it had 8K when I sold it and it may have been a 79, don't remember exactly. Pull the right side chain cover and look at the wire harness coming out of the stator as it often gets chewed up by the chain (at least mine had and it was the first repair I had to make) then clean your carbs) Where abouts in Oregon? I'm in Spfd/Eugene area. wttpp.jpg Oh! And also, don't throw anything away even broken parts. I'm kicking myself because I cant find the bolts to the center stand and replacements run 22$ a piece.
 
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Well that's a ways out there but I guess you don't have to deal with a lot of traffic and have some pretty scenic rides. I drove my bike out to Newport Washington years ago to go to some event. That's not a typo either I actually drove with my bike on a flatbed. I was with some club guys and they needed someone to drive the crash truck, I didn't say no.
 
Yes, great deal, and the bike looks to be in very good shape. But these all need a good going through, they're 40+ years old after all. There's lots of little "upgrades" you can do, and most don't cost much. And yes, a good carb cleaning is needed, lol.
 
Welcome to the madhouse @thepaulmcbride - as IBALT says, deals like that just do not happen in the UK. You would struggle to find anything in that good of a condition at any price.

But on the matter of good taste, swap out them high-rise bars, the bike'll ride so much better, and while you're at it there's the sissy-bar . . .
 
John Regular said:
For a second there I thought that might be my old bike View attachment 368978but it doesn't have the pin stripe on the tank. I think it had 8K when I sold it and it may have been a 79, don't remember exactly. Pull the right side chain cover and look at the wire harness coming out of the stator as it often gets chewed up by the chain (at least mine had and it was the first repair I had to make) then clean your carbs) Where abouts in Oregon? I'm in Spfd/Eugene area. View attachment 368977 Oh! And also, don't throw anything away even broken parts. I'm kicking myself because I cant find the bolts to the center stand and replacements run 22$ a piece.
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John Regular, are the center stand bolts the same on all year model '75 and up ? if so I may have a couple of extras i can mail for the shipping fee (will take a look in my stash - hopefully later today) if interested.
 
Raymond said:
But on the matter of good taste, swap out them high-rise bars, the bike'll ride so much better, and while you're at it there's the sissy-bar . . .
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:poke: I say keep them! 😂

Welcome aboard Paul!
Besides the seat cover, rack & sissy bar, your bike looks all original. That would be the first year for the Special.
Get yourself a factory service manual. There are places to download it for free. Also, I endorse getting familiar with the tech section here.
I recommend that you service the motorcycle from nose to tail. All of it. Fork oil, brake fluid, grease steering, essentially all of the servicing in the book. It needs it and you get familiar with the bike that way. You need to know it to enjoy it.
Best wishes for success!
 
Niels B said:
John Regular, are the center stand bolts the same on all year model '75 and up ? if so I may have a couple of extras i can mail for the shipping fee (will take a look in my stash - hopefully later today) if interested.
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I believe so and Hell yeah! I'll PM so we don't hijack dudes intro thread
 
jetmechmarty said:
I recommend that you service the motorcycle from nose to tail. All of it. Fork oil, brake fluid, grease steering, essentially all of the servicing in the book. It needs it and you get familiar with the bike that way.
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Splendid suggestion, Sir!
 
jetmechmarty said:
:poke: I say keep them! 😂

Welcome aboard Paul!
Besides the seat cover, rack & sissy bar, your bike looks all original. That would be the first year for the Special.
Get yourself a factory service manual. There are places to download it for free. Also, I endorse getting familiar with the tech section here.
I recommend that you service the motorcycle from nose to tail. All of it. Fork oil, brake fluid, grease steering, essentially all of the servicing in the book. It needs it and you get familiar with the bike that way. You need to know it to enjoy it.
Best wishes for success!
Click to expand...
This is excellent. I agree with everything except keeping the bars 😄

I'm very much enjoying tinkering on this and want to find how little work I can get away with before I start enjoying riding it. I absolutely will get round to all of this eventually though.
 
First thing is checking Oil level and take the startup in steps I would have a little oil in the cylinders.
Some would replace the oil .rather soon or immediately
Checking the chain and brakes so not accidents happens ,When test riding
At that price there can be some problem somewhere
I would measure charging voltage across battery
 
thepaulmcbride said:
This is excellent. I agree with everything except keeping the bars 😄
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73353293057__9EB6836A-65BD-46CC-92E4-A4830B782679.jpeg

I am a bit tall. These are stock Triumph Bonneville 1975 or so. Eight inch rise. I have since fitted it with eight inch mini apes that change only the position of my hands. Both are comfy and in keeping with the Special style.
Lots of options. While you have the pullbacks on there, can you move the bars up and down? That’s a common XS650 wear item.
 
jetmechmarty said:
View attachment 368989
I am a bit tall. These are stock Triumph Bonneville 1975 or so. Eight inch rise. I have since fitted it with eight inch mini apes that change only the position of my hands. Both are comfy and in keeping with the Special style.
Lots of options. While you have the pullbacks on there, can you move the bars up and down? That’s a common XS650 wear item.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the little rubber bushing that hold the bars in place are cooked. It currently feels more like flying a Cessna that riding a bike. I don't know if I should replace them with fresh rubber or replace them with aluminum upgrades.
 

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