I'm gonna need a new build thread soon!

[ssjody]

I bought the bike today that I never thought I'd be able to get. I'm gonna string you guys along till I get it shipped in but man am I pumped! Hint: You've seen this bike on this site before and you liked it!...Might have even seen it on a calendar..

 

[Jim]

When I was a kid, we had names for girls like you...

 

[Adamc]

Oooo You are awfull...... Tease!

 

[halfmile]

Are you going to cut it up and make a chopper, tracker or bobber??

 

[Mikey]

It feels like blind date time
"but hey she's a great dancer "

 

[ssjody]

Are you going to cut it up and make a chopper, tracker or bobber??

Nah.. I ran out of skids, so I was thinking of using it to make a coffee table

 

[ssjody]

Won't be long now

 

[ssjody]

Well boys and girls as promised she has arrived! I feel like it's Christmas morning! 1981 Yamaha XS650S Special II and man she's a beauty!

 

[Adamc]

Well boys and girls as promised she has arrived! I feel like it's Christmas morning! 1981 Yamaha XS650S Special II and man she's a beauty!

Blimey, that’s a great looking bike you have there.

 

[Jim]

Beautiful. Almost looks new. what's the story on it?

 

[jetmechmarty]

Yes, I think I remember it. It looks impeccable!

 

[46th Georgia]

Well boys and girls as promised she has arrived! I feel like it's Christmas morning! 1981 Yamaha XS650S Special II and man she's a beauty!

Nice Score!

 

[ssjody]

Beautiful. Almost looks new. what's the story on it?

I seen this bike when I was looking at some old Calendar photos from 2023. I'd always wanted this exact bike because because of it being the exact model and year I bought new back in '81. I noticed that after the calendar posts that there wasn't any activity from the user so I tried contacting him. Surprisingly he contacted me right back and later that night we spoke on the phone about the bike. He had bought it back in 2022 from someone in PA where he lived. He had since moved across country to AZ by now but he still had the bike. We talked for awhile and reached an agreement on price and the rest is history. I set up a shipper to transport it and it took a couple weeks to reach me in northern KY. By the way if you ever need a bike shipped, hit me up. The shipping company I worked with was awesome.

I was able to track down the previous owner which the PO believed to be the original owner. It had been sold on FB and with a little effort I was able to get in contact with the seller. It was actually his Dad and Grandfather who traded for the bike way back in the 80's. He didn't know a lot of history on the bike but relayed what he knew. His reply
“Hi there. My grandfather and Dad traded that bike on a used car back in the early/mid 1980s and owned it ever since. I really don’t have any further information on it, however I know its a good bike and always treated us well.”

The bike is not running per the PO but it did run when he bought it. It has been sitting for awhile and has the typical "been sitting" problems. Carbs need a good douche, tank is very clean but it's had old gas in it so I want to flush it out real good. What do you guys use on just minor gunked up tanks?

The bike has a fairly new set of tires and I have to say is the most complete original untampered with 40+ year old bike I've ever come across. This bike is a time capsule and I can't wait to get it cleaned up.

I'll start a new build thread for this one to show the progress. Ya'll are gonna be impressed with how well this bike has been preserved.

Day 1 - Starts today!

 

[jetmechmarty]

What do you guys use on just minor gunked up tanks?

I use a bit of acetone or fresh gasoline.

I assume you’re going to do the full service check. I have a very nice ‘80 Special II. I needs the same thing, a full service.

 

[Jim]

+1 on fresh gas... the non-ethanol flavour.

Have you priced acetone lately?

 

[ssjody]

I assume you’re going to do the full service check. I have a very nice ‘80 Special II. I needs the same thing, a full service.

Thanks, I'll try the acetone. I bet that'll do it.
For sure, I'm going through it from front to back and plan on freshing up all the necessities, Caliper, Master Cylinder, Carbs, Grounds & Connectors, Valve adjustment, Cam Tensioner adjustment, cables, charging.. etc.. pretty much everything. There's a couple things that need replaced. One of the Turn Signals is broke, Speedometer and Tach, rubber cushions between lens and body and so on..

 

[ssjody]

Anyone have a set of Float Pins for BS34's that I could bum off of ya ? Someone was into these carbs before and must have lost the pins and used finishing nails. Or are they available new somewhere?
Luckily all the original parts on the inside of the carbs are original.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Have you priced acetone lately?

No. I guess I don’t want to.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I'm going through it from front to back

Fork oil, steering bearing grease, and fresh brake fluid should all be on your list.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Anyone have a set of Float Pins for BS34's that I could bum off of ya ?

Niche Cycle has the genuine Mikuni float pins for about $2 ea. @Jim posted the link in here someplace. I also get my Mikuni parts from Niche or Jets R Us. Either of them respond quickly.