Let's See The XS's

[650Skull]

View attachment 334835

Not mine, but my close friend's European B model. I'm not sure about the color (Spanish Burgundy), but there are a few differences to the American version. Less visible, it also had the first "European" Tait frame with an additional connecting tube under the front engine mount

beautiful bike. Yes the Euro 75 had a lot of differences. Tank Decal, front braking system with the twin disk set up, (small rotors), and the front fork lowers are Euro specific and they are swapped over, (side to side), compared to the US, and other countries, models with the Axle nut on the left instead of the right Then there is the engine, (533) internals and taillight

Shame your friend isn't a member, the bike would make an excellent calendar candidate. Have to be a member before the calendar nomination thread is posted

 

[eidemaddin]

Thanks, I'll tell him, I'm sure he'll be happy about it. Maybe that's an incentive to become a member

 

[Paleomechanic]

beautiful bike. Yes the Euro 75 had a lot of differences. Tank Decal, front braking system with the twin disk set up, (small rotors), and the front fork lowers are Euro specific and they are swapped over, (side to side), compared to the US, and other countries, models with the Axle nut on the left instead of the right Then there is the engine, (533) internals and taillight

Shame your friend isn't a member, the bike would make an excellent calendar candidate. Have to be a member before the calendar nomination thread is posted

Pardon my ignorance? But what are the differences in the 533 series engine as opposed to the Canadian or US spec ones ?
Thanks in advance!

 

[eidemaddin]

The 447 engine primarily has shorter connecting rods (130mm) and thinner crank pins (26mm) than the European 533 engine (140mm and 29mm). Accordingly, the pistons are also designed differently.

 

[650Skull]

Pardon my ignorance? But what are the differences in the 533 series engine as opposed to the Canadian or US spec ones ?
Thanks in advance!

Some info here with pics on the different conrods, pistons and the year of bike they pertained to

https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...orkshop-manuals-tech-information-links.30569/

 

[Paleomechanic]

Some info here with pics on the different conrods, pistons and the year of bike they pertained to

https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...orkshop-manuals-tech-information-links.30569/

Great ! Thanks everyone!

 

[RobXS650]

Hi everyone! New to the forum, so I might as well show you my sweetheart.

There is also an XS in the pictures.

 

[Adamc]

Hi everyone! New to the forum, so I might as well show you my sweetheart.

View attachment 335270 There is also an XS in the pictures.

View attachment 335271

View attachment 335269

Welcome and a nice ride to. Tell us more about its history.

 

[RobXS650]

Welcome and a nice ride to. Tell us more about its history.

Thanks!

It’s a 1979 SE. I bought it as a hardtail five years ago.

Did the tank, fender, clip-ons, little things like bolts and covers, changed the BS Carb to VM’s, and struggled A LOT with a tiny tear on top of the gas tank. (Dare I say I started with some JB weld?)

Well I tried nearly everything there is, including special tank repair kits, nothing worked. The pressure in the tank combined with the location of the tear (a welded on mounting point at the front of the tank to fit the frame) was no match for any of those kits and glues. Even if they’re ’chemical en fuel resistant’. So eventually, after trying to avoid it for a year or so, there was only one option… welding.

So, I borrowed a very simple MIG (which could really only do points, without burning a hole in the tank) and did a thing.

I hadn’t done any welding before and it showed.

But after grinding it down and painting it again, it looks fine. And more importantly, it’s sealed. Finally.

Currently I’m figuring out new wiring to put on the bike this winter. https://www.xs650.com/posts/856767/

Thinking of swapping the regulator and rectifier for a new solid state reg/rec. I’m already running an electronic ignition (newtronic).

It runs very smoothly, quick reaction and acceleration, and it is a blast in corners. Kickstart only, rarely two kicks needed. Idles perfectly with the VM carbs, something that I never could get right with the OEM ones.

I’m probably forgetting something, but that is pretty much my bike’s history!

 

[jetmechmarty]

Getting carburetors right is a tedious job. You can’t pay anyone to get them all the way right. No money in that. It often drives would be vintage bike riders to a modern fuel injected bike. Good on you for getting it solved. That’s a nice looking chopper.

 

[SoCalHanz]

 

[FrankS]

My 1978 special with bare metal tank and panels. My 1977 Standard. Neither running yet. They're keeping me busy and learning.

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

 

[GaryInVA]

Not my 650 but I've had my hands on it several times during it's journey. My boss found out I used to be a motorcycle mechanic a few years ago and was looking for a project to build (his first). After looking at all the bikes he would show me daily on Marketplace I convinced him that an XS650 would be a great bike for his plans. Bought one with an extra engine. Found out the frame was way past the usable stage so he decided to go with a chopper frame.

Pic below is in it's current stage of build. You can see a lot of other things in his garage such as that scooter in the background. We live in a college town and he buys old broke down scooters at the end of the school year for next to nothing. He then rebuilds them and sells them to incoming students in the fall. He uses this money to work on his projects.

The bike isn't my style but it's been fun working with him on learning how to work on bikes.

 

[Wingedwheel]

The bike isn't my style but it's been fun working with him on learning how to work on bikes.

Amen style soft frame.. nice.

 

[GaryInVA]

Amen style soft frame.. nice.

It is an Amen frame. Was pretty rusty when he bought it. So was the girder fork.

 

[Wingedwheel]

It is an Amen frame. Was pretty rusty when he bought it. So was the girder fork.

I built a chopper with a Jammer frame. I was living on the West Coast at the time and you could just drive down to L.A. and pick one up. Several Amen suppliers as well. Those days are gone….

 

[chopcult3003]

My 1980. Super fun little ripper for around town

 

[David Rayner]

Here's my 1977.

 

[willis]

Wow, there’s a lot going on there David. Can you share some more about your bike. Off hand I see a 16” front wheel with custom trees, belt final drive and some sort of crank drive belt, but I don’t think it’s a super charger? Very interesting to say the least.