New member, anyone know this bike

[Guzziracer]

Hi there, Rob Johnson here from Sydney Australia.
I have just taken delivery of my new/old 72 xs 650. While I have owned numerous bikes in the past, especially Moto Guzzis, I have never owned an XS before.
The bike is an import from the U.S.A. It has the included dealer plate on the rear mudguard. Just wondering if anyone may know anything about it or it’s history.

 

[Jim]

Welcome to the forum Rob!
No idea on the bike. Looks like good bones though.
What's your plans for it?

 

[Guzziracer]

First time I have ever purchased sight unseen, was slightly taken aback when it arrived. No front master cylinder/ brake lines. No rear brake pads/springs, non functioning instruments, no headlight shell, holes in left muffler, ignition with no keys but does come to life with a flat head screwdriver etc, etc.
The good news is after changing both filter screens, filling with fresh oil, cleaning carburettors and installing a battery it fires to life first kick with no choke.
Fortunately an hours drive from me on the outskirts of Sydney we have an xs specialist/supplier called Jeoffs XS who seems to be able to supply pretty much every part of every xs model. I’ve already purchased a boot load of parts and I’m confident the bike will be registered in a few weeks.
Long term plans are to do a near concourse restoration but at the moment I’m just aiming at resolving its mechanical issues/missing parts
Carburettors are almost finished.

 

[650Skull]

Welcome Guzziracer,

I remember that bike being discussed a while ago. Cant remember if it was a Craigslist of from a guy that is from Oz. Need to get the Vin # and check against the ID chart in this link or post it up and we will identify it.

Lots of model information in this link
https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...workshop-manuals-and-other-information.30569/

take a step back before buying parts from Geoff, There are alternative suppliers and where Geoffs gets his part from there are some of those parts, would be better quality, (or cheaper), from other suppliers. best to ask before making a purchase.

The reason for the Vin # is the bike is a bitsa. 73TX front end, (forks,rotor,hub), 73TX seat, 74TX tank, 76-79 mufflers, Linked BS38carbs either from a 76/77 or 78/79. (Carbs changed every 2 years), headlight is aftermarket and the originals are now quite hard to find.

Getting a set of original tins for this is going to cost big $'s, Especially if you want to concourse it you will need a full set, tank/side-covers, headlight

72 front end. It is a one year only set up, your better off with the 73 front end, Just about all of it can be swapped with 74-76 XS parts.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/xs2-front-axle-assembly.31433/

70/71/72 Tank profile is the same..........73TX tank profile The gas cap...............74/75 tank
..............................................................changed and is the same for...........
................................................................73-75. One year, 73, only tank..........Same gas cap as 73
..............

Got this nagging feeling about those carbs. Need to identify for jetting purposes, (jets changed every 2 years), but if I'm right the 2 carb bodies are from different years. Will soon see when looking at the intakes behind the uni filters.

Pics, pics and lots of pics. Everyone will be able to tell you what you have by looking at pics

 

[Guzziracer]

Strange thing about the carbs is,(they are identical), same size inlets, outlets, visually indistinguishable from each other, but other than the “mikuni logo co ltd Japan” embossed in the carb tops, there is absolutely no serial number or other I’d.. they both had 122 mains and 25 pilots.
The thing about Jeoff is he is one hour away from me, no waiting for weeks for parts to arrive that may or may not fit. To me, this is gold. which suppliers do you suggest or recommend. Personally I try to support people who make the commitment to set up a shop front. It’s a massive undertaking but they tend to be in it for the long haul.
I also patronise motochicolo at Tempe for moto guzzi parts for the same reason.

 

[650Skull]

Geoff will fix you up. He knows all about XS650's.

 

[mick71b]

Welcome to the forum fellow Guzzista!

 

[Guzziracer]

Hi mick, all my guzzis are 70s models, I’m pretty much locked in that decade. Even managed to see led zeppelin at the sydney sports ground in the early 70s. Still the best concert I’ve ever seen, and the first.
Thanks very much for all the info 650 skull. The chassis number is S650207580