New guy here working on some carbs.

[XRRRX]

I'm an introvert and usually don't post much on forums etc...
I joined this forum because I am getting back into motorcycling and recently purchased two bikes to do so. I bought a 1981 XS650 special II and I believe a 1980 same, parts bike, it might be a 1979 just can't tell yet (no title).
I've owned a lot of bikes over the years and sometimes think I enjoy wrenching on them more than riding lol.
I decided last year to get out of motorcyling and sold the last of my bikes and two trailers, never thought I would do that.
While walking around the neighbor hood a few weeks ago I met a guy looked to be about my age that had only been riding a couple years, he owns a Kawasaki W800 retro. It reminded me of the XS650 and I remember I had seen one for sale recently on FB and I have never owned one. Needless to say my urge to wrench and ride was rekindled. I purchase the bike and it only has 5k miles on it. This one has the wire wheels and I wanted mags so I found a parts bike that I bought for the wheels, swing arm and rear disk brake. The carbs were gummed up pretty bad but they are pretty clean and free now, I should be getting carb kits today in the mail.

Looks like I am not allowed to create a new private conversation until I have 5 forum posts so this is number one.

My donar purchase included two sets of carbs in pieces, one set has the a float post broken on one of the carbs but I wanted to salvage the carbs so I am going to connect it back together, thought I would send some pics for your enjoyment. I still have to purchase some JB Weld to connect the the pieces together but it should all work out fine.

 

[Its been a long time]

If one bike is a 1981and one bike is a 1979, they have different carburettors and you won't be able to swap parts between them. 1981 had Mikuni BS34 and 1979 had BS38. Look in the technical section, there's excellent information about carburettors.

I like the carburettor repair, it looks very good. Well done.

 

[XRRRX]

Thanks for the info, now I know it is a 79 as the 34's are too small and the other set that came with the bike are 38's with Solex on the caps.

 

[Jim]

I should be getting carb kits today in the mail.

You'll find that almost all carb "kits" are pretty much useless. They seldom have the right size jets and such. You'd be much better off just buying the individual parts as required. Niche Cycle and Jets-R-Us both carry genuine Mikuni parts. That's your best bet.

Nice work on the float tower!! If I may make a suggestion... after you J B Weld the tower in place, slather some of it all over the tower then slip a tube over the repair. Make sure it's overflowing with J B Weld, then wipe off the excess before it cures. Just about any hobby store or hardware store will carry a selection of brass tubing. Find the size you need, cut it to fit and epoxy it in place.

Mind if I show off a bit?
Here's how I fixed a couple of broke towers.

 

[Its been a long time]

Thanks for the info, now I know it is a 79 as the 34's are too small and the other set that came with the bike are 38's with Solex on the caps.

I suspect that those BS38s are older than 1979 if they say Solex on the top. Or they're 1979 carbs with older tops fitted. Anything can happen in the last near 50 years. If you post a few pictures here we can identify the carburettors you have.

 

[Jim]

Here's a thread with a list of good parts suppliers. You'll find Niche Cycle and Jets-R-Us in that list.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/parts-suppliers-for-the-xs650.68549/

 

[XRRRX]

You'll find that almost all carb "kits" are pretty much useless. They seldom have the right size jets and such. You'd be much better off just buying the individual parts as required. Niche Cycle and Jets-R-Us both carry genuine Mikuni parts. That's your best bet.

Nice work on the float tower!! If I may make a suggestion... after you J B Weld the tower in place, slather some of it all over the tower then slip a tube over the repair. Make sure it's overflowing with J B Weld, then wipe off the excess before it cures. Just about any hobby store or hardware store will carry a selection of brass tubing. Find the size you need, cut it to fit and epoxy it in place.

Mind if I show off a bit?
Here's how I fixed a couple of broke towers.

View attachment 363422
View attachment 363418
View attachment 363419
View attachment 363420
View attachment 363421

Magnificent!!

 

[XRRRX]

I suspect that those BS38s are older than 1979 if they say Solex on the top. Or they're 1979 carbs with older tops fitted. Anything can happen in the last near 50 years. If you post a few pictures here we can identify the carburettors you have.

 

[XRRRX]

Here's a thread with a list of good parts suppliers. You'll find Niche Cycle and Jets-R-Us in that list.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/parts-suppliers-for-the-xs650.68549/

Thanks!

 

[Its been a long time]

Yes, they're certainly earlier than 1979 those BS38s. There's bits missing and I think it's probable that they're a mash up of several years. They can't be used as they are, there's no throttle cable mounting on the carbs.

It's a bit of an issue because when you jet these carbs, you jet them by year. I don't know what you'd do with those.

Best that you read the carburettor guides here in the technical section of the forum to help understand what you have.

 

[Jim]

Those 38's are unlinked. That means they are from an early bike. Not sure when they changed to linked carbs... '75-'76 maybe?

For what it's worth, I like the 34's over the 38's.

 

[XRRRX]

Those 38's are unlinked. That means they are from an early bike. Not sure when they changed to linked carbs... '75-'76 maybe?

For what it's worth, I like the 34's over the 38's.

Thanks, good to know.

 

[650Skull]

I'm an introvert and usually don't post much on forums etc...
I joined this forum because I am getting back into motorcycling and recently purchased two bikes to do so. I bought a 1981 XS650 special II and I believe a 1980 same, parts bike, it might be a 1979 just can't tell yet (no title).
I've owned a lot of bikes over the years and sometimes think I enjoy wrenching on them more than riding lol.
I decided last year to get out of motorcyling and sold the last of my bikes and two trailers, never thought I would do that.
While walking around the neighbor hood a few weeks ago I met a guy looked to be about my age that had only been riding a couple years, he owns a Kawasaki W800 retro. It reminded me of the XS650 and I remember I had seen one for sale recently on FB and I have never owned one. Needless to say my urge to wrench and ride was rekindled. I purchase the bike and it only has 5k miles on it. This one has the wire wheels and I wanted mags so I found a parts bike that I bought for the wheels, swing arm and rear disk brake. The carbs were gummed up pretty bad but they are pretty clean and free now, I should be getting carb kits today in the mail.

Looks like I am not allowed to create a new private conversation until I have 5 forum posts so this is number one.

My donar purchase included two sets of carbs in pieces, one set has the a float post broken on one of the carbs but I wanted to salvage the carbs so I am going to connect it back together, thought I would send some pics for your enjoyment. I still have to purchase some JB Weld to connect the the pieces together but it should all work out fine.

Very old carbs. Of an XS1

This link has a link to a carb ID near the top.

More links on ID's and how to's after the model ID's

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

 

[5twins]

On that carb you're repairing the post on, I would recommend changing to a Suzuki pivot pin. The Yamaha pin has quite a "step" just under the head, and that makes it difficult to install and remove. The Suzuki pin has much less of a step so it's much easier to install and remove ......

The original pin being really stuck in there is probably responsible for that broken post, lol. Here's a thread I did on Suzuki carb parts that fit our 650 carbs .....

https://www.xs650.com/threads/suzuki-carb-parts-for-our-650-carbs.61197/

 

[XRRRX]

On that carb you're repairing the post on, I would recommend changing to a Suzuki pivot pin. The Yamaha pin has quite a "step" just under the head, and that makes it difficult to install and remove. The Suzuki pin has much less of a step so it's much easier to install and remove ......

View attachment 363428

View attachment 363429

The original pin being really stuck in there is probably responsible for that broken post, lol. Here's a thread I did on Suzuki carb parts that fit our 650 carbs .....

https://www.xs650.com/threads/suzuki-carb-parts-for-our-650-carbs.61197/

Good info thanks.

 

[XRRRX]

Good info thanks.

I had some old Suzuki carbs laying around and used the pins from them, thanks for the info they worked perfect.

 

[Kevin Werner]

Welcome to the madness, did I suggest you check your ignition switch contacts for dirt yet????

 

[XRRRX]

Welcome to the madness, did I suggest you check your ignition switch contacts for dirt yet????

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.