My XS650 US Custom (UK, SE) project

[Jedijoff]

This is how I found my late brother in laws xs650, some 15yrs after he passed away. My sister couldn’t bear to part with it and she said I could have it if I like. So it is sat outside my house on my drive.

The first step was to learn how to ride - done that passed first time with flying colours.

Step 2 do up the xs650.

Current state:

Have drained oil and am now stuck as my Haynes has got itself hidden and my Clymer hasn’t got the torque setting for the drain plug. Can anyone help with that while I wait for the 28 and 29 mm sockets I’ve order to fill the gap in my set?

Oh and I’ve cleaned a few bits up. I can’t afford to eechrime just yet but will be in the cards at some point.

Not looking too shabby from a distance.

 

[Jim]

Looks like good bones to start with.
... and welcome to the forum!!

 

[Sparkyduc]

View attachment 352087
This is how I found my late brother in laws xs650, some 15yrs after he passed away. My sister couldn’t bear to part with it and she said I could have it if I like. So it is sat outside my house on my drive.

The first step was to learn how to ride - done that passed first time with flying colours.

Step 2 do up the xs650.

Current state:

Have drained oil and am now stuck as my Haynes has got itself hidden and my Clymer hasn’t got the torque setting for the drain plug. Can anyone help with that while I wait for the 28 and 29 mm sockets I’ve order to fill the gap in my set?

Oh and I’ve cleaned a few bits up. I can’t afford to eechrime just yet but will be in the cards at some point.

View attachment 352088

Not looking too shabby from a distance.

Unusual exhaust,never seen those, and “ US Custom “ emblems

 

[Jan_P]

Unusual exhaust,never seen those, and “ US Custom “ emblems

I have 2 US customs 1980 -- Exhaust not stock ( I believe ) but side covers are
Try to find the stock pipes if still there.
Tanks can be black with our without the red gold stripe

Had Points stock which USA did not have on 1980
Disc brakes front and back on mine also.

 

[650Skull]

Post #5 has Vin, brochures and pics of the US Custom 80-81.
Take not your BS34 carbs have the adjustable needles, charging, ignition and carb internals differ from the US 80 and later Specials. Mention some differences in the link. Same as Oceania models.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...-other-information-including-xs750-850.30569/

The seat looks like it has been modified, cleaning up nice.

 

[Raymond]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Nice bike and you can take it back to standard or make of it what you will. I agree with @Jan_P that's not the original exhaust. Personally, I'd swap the cow-horn h/bar for something more practical and comfortable. But in fairness there's folk on this forum who like the ones it has. What are you like with vehicle electrics? That bike should give plenty of reliable use but it would be well worth while to at least to give the electrical system a once over. And you really ought to swap those old tyres out before you ride the bike - they deteriorate and lose grip over the years. The fun part is still to come! Cheers, Raymond