New to the xs world

[SCOTTSEY]

I’ve picked up a 77 XS650 this fall with the idea of making a solid running bike , maybe more in the future.
Part 1 make it run parts are on order such as carb kit ,petcock kit, main wiring harness ,nuts and bolts etc.
One thing I’m looking through as I get started is the wiring ,I can only find one fuse this I believe is 14 amp old style glass. Is this the only
Fuse?
Part two if it is a solid runner I’ll make it safe
Any help apprieciated.

 

[Wagner73]

If 77D, only one fuse, 20A glass. Many people on here convert to blade style fuse(s). If you do, make sure to source high quality, name-brand fuses, as some of the Asian versions have proven to have terrible quality i.e. taking too long to blow in an over current situation, such that components and/or wiring are damaged.

If you look in the tech section, there is a 77D wiring diagram.

 

[gggGary]

If you look in the tech section, there is a 77D wiring diagram.

 

[Sky King]

I’ve picked up a 77 XS650 this fall with the idea of making a solid running bike , maybe more in the future.
Part 1 make it run parts are on order such as carb kit ,petcock kit, main wiring harness ,nuts and bolts etc.
One thing I’m looking through as I get started is the wiring ,I can only find one fuse this I believe is 14 amp old style glass. Is this the only
Fuse?
Part two if it is a solid runner I’ll make it safe
Any help apprieciated.

You've come to the right place! You will find a lot of good information and help here.

 

[5twins]

'77 is a good year - first year of the 35mm forks (older bikes had 34mm forks), nice set of linked carbs, and the last year before the E.P.A. stuck their nose in, lol. Also the last year with a working headlight on-off switch on the bars, and none of the "safety" relays the later bikes got.

Carb kits aren't recommended because many contain the wrong size jets. The '76-'77 kit in particular is bad, lol. It comes with the jet sizes for the '78-'79 carbs which are way different than what's in there. It's best to just buy any individual parts you may need. A carb overhaul is just 99% a thorough cleaning anyway. If you're careful during the disassembly, you can re-use most of the parts. The original float bowl gaskets are very good and quite robust, I've replaced very few. The jets are common Mikuni items and it's recommended that you use genuine replacements.

 

[grouchie77]

As I tell all newbies, get yourself a shop manual. I cannot stress that enough.

Also get yourself a set of JIS screwdrivers.

 

[SCOTTSEY]

If 77D, only one fuse, 20A glass. Many people on here convert to blade style fuse(s). If you do, make sure to source high quality, name-brand fuses, as some of the Asian versions have proven to have terrible quality i.e. taking too long to blow in an over current situation, such that components and/or wiring are damaged.

If you look in the tech section, there is a 77D wiring diagram.

Thanks muchly. Trying to read the fine print wiring diagram

 

[Downeaster]

Welcome!

Lots of good advice already and this is the premier source of information, leads and occasionally parts for the XS.

Also, the XS is arguably the best 650 twin ever built. Of course, there's a small chance (we...) could be prejudiced...

 

[gggGary]

Trying to read the fine print wiring diagram

The factory manual, available for download, and sold reasonably in paper form, shows break downs of the individual wiring circuits IE the charging system diagram. Most critical circuits have also been drawn and annotated by stalwarts here.These are much easier to trace understand than the "one big diagram". If you can, get a hard copy of the big diagram printed in large format and hang it on your shop wall. ;^)

 

[SCOTTSEY]

Thank you. Everyone’s being very helpful