JTD1989
XS650 Enthusiast
Hi all, I recently created an account, but I have visited to the forum to learn and have specific questions answered for several years. I bought my XS650 several years ago and it ran pretty rough when I bought it. I cleaned out the carbs and it ran better for awhile but eventually died on me and I couldn't get it started.
The PO was not the one who built the bike and I have limited information about the history of the motor and what work has been done so I decided to strip it down to at least the top end and see what is going on. This is my first major mechanical undertaking by myself. I have done some routine maintenance on cars, trucks, and bikes, but my mechanical experience is limited.
I have done extensive research on the forum and also the Haines manual, the free manual from biker.net, and the general overhaul instructions from MikesXS and I have successfully removed the engine and torn it down to the case carefully disassembling, taking pictures, and labeling as I go. I am currently waiting on a telescoping gauge in the mail so I can check the wear on my cylinder bores.
Anyway, while I have the engine open I want to check the condition of the valve stems. Especially since there are signs of trauma in the engine (beat up place on the top inside of the head cover and matching area underneath the cam - see images). So my question is: Do I need to buy the specialized $90 tool from Mikes to compress the springs? Or is there a generic valve spring compressing tool at auto parts stores that would work with other engines also? Can I rig something up using a large C-clamp or something? I haven't been able to find much discussion on the actual process of compressing the springs and it is usually just glossed over in the manuals (probably because this is basic knowledge to an experienced mechanic) so I just wanted to check before buying a $90 tool I may only use one time. Thanks so much!
The PO was not the one who built the bike and I have limited information about the history of the motor and what work has been done so I decided to strip it down to at least the top end and see what is going on. This is my first major mechanical undertaking by myself. I have done some routine maintenance on cars, trucks, and bikes, but my mechanical experience is limited.
I have done extensive research on the forum and also the Haines manual, the free manual from biker.net, and the general overhaul instructions from MikesXS and I have successfully removed the engine and torn it down to the case carefully disassembling, taking pictures, and labeling as I go. I am currently waiting on a telescoping gauge in the mail so I can check the wear on my cylinder bores.
Anyway, while I have the engine open I want to check the condition of the valve stems. Especially since there are signs of trauma in the engine (beat up place on the top inside of the head cover and matching area underneath the cam - see images). So my question is: Do I need to buy the specialized $90 tool from Mikes to compress the springs? Or is there a generic valve spring compressing tool at auto parts stores that would work with other engines also? Can I rig something up using a large C-clamp or something? I haven't been able to find much discussion on the actual process of compressing the springs and it is usually just glossed over in the manuals (probably because this is basic knowledge to an experienced mechanic) so I just wanted to check before buying a $90 tool I may only use one time. Thanks so much!
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