Newbie to the xs world and bikes

JosephP87

XS650 Enthusiast
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Hello all,
My name is Joe and I am from Salem Oregon. I just picked up a 1980 xs650 special as a project. I have had other bikes but this would be my first major project on bikes. I have done a few cars before but not a bike. When I got the bike it was mostly in tact. PO said it ran 10 years ago when parked. I’m trying to get the bike started. I tested spark and compression and it looked good. The left and right hand controls were cut and disconnected as well as the turn signals and head light. I purchased new controls and a “universal” headlight. But inside the headlight bucket some things were cut and disconnected. I’m trying to figure out how to get the controls hooked up properly and the headlight to work properly but I am not that great with electrical. I was wondering if someone could help me out? The motor cranks when I got the starter solenoid so I know that works it’s just the controls. If someone has a diagram that they made or can point me in the right direction that would be great. I have searched the forums but couldn’t find what I was looking for. Eventually I want to simplify the harness. I want to run the electric start and the stock controls with horn blinkers headlight brake lights etc but get rid of all the unnecessary stuff like safety relays and such. My main goal is to just get it going and go from there.
Thanks in advance
 
Welcome to the forum!
Here's the wiring diagram for the '80SG. Top of the page you'll find the Tech button. That's where it came from.


80_XS650G.PNG
 
Welcome JosephP87,

The safety relay on an 80 operates 2 safety features. One is the headlight to stop it from automaticly turning on till after the bike has started. If the bike doesn't start first kick or with the electric start there is enough power generated to trigger the light to come on. You need to turn the key off and on again to disconnect/turn off the headlight.................and the other is to stop the starter from over running when using the electric start
 
Also need to identify what model 80 you have. Yamaha produced 2 in 80. One had spoke wheels and the other had mag wheels. A lot of cosmetic differences although the electrics and ignition was basically the same.

A lot of us a illiterate and can only read comics and look at pictures...........so unless you post a bunch of pics we aren't going to be able to help very much:cool:
 
Mr Skull has it.
If you identify the wiring you have with color codes so you have corresponding paper work and reality
Then modification of an electrical system is in my View a Plan B
A newbie without the correct documentation is " Dead in the water "
As is most experienced people
So correct Schematics ..and some pictures uploaded here .is a suggestion
A Voltmeter is needed.
Pictures of the left side without the Alternator cover and left side cam end gives info if there has been modifications.

That is a good plan in my View --> My main goal is to just get it going and go from there.

If startup ..there is always something else on an old bike ..not evident at the Purchase
 
If you're trying to start the bike without first at least having a look inside the carb's float bowls, you could be making a bad situation worse. If they're all gummed up with dried gas residue, trying to pump fresh gas through will only suck that junk deeper into the carbs and plug things up worse.
 
If you're trying to start the bike without first at least having a look inside the carb's float bowls, you could be making a bad situation worse. If they're all gummed up with dried gas residue, trying to pump fresh gas through will only suck that junk deeper into the carbs and plug things up worse.

Yes I think that is something to do. .. 5t knows these things
Can be done with the Carbs still on the bike.
 
If you're trying to start the bike without first at least having a look inside the carb's float bowls, you could be making a bad situation worse. If they're all gummed up with dried gas residue, trying to pump fresh gas through will only suck that junk deeper into the carbs and plug things up worse.
I already took the carbs off the bike cleaned them all up and they are all free. Not gummed up or sticking or anything. That was one of the first things I did.
 
Also need to identify what model 80 you have. Yamaha produced 2 in 80. One had spoke wheels and the other had mag wheels. A lot of cosmetic differences although the electrics and ignition was basically the same.

A lot of us a illiterate and can only read comics and look at pictures...........so unless you post a bunch of pics we aren't going to be able to help very much:cool:
Mine has the mad wheels
 
Mine has the mad wheels

Another reason to get it identified properly..............These bikes are often bought from the PO by the year of manufacture on the Vin label .............As these bikes, production dates span from Aug one year to July the next, if the po sold the bike, (or had the bike tagged), from the production date then the bike could be misrepresented as a previous model...............Aug to December production date as an 80 is actually an 81 Model...........those months are not necessarily stamped in stone, there can be a couple of months either side leeway. ...........The model Vin no is the all important detail
 
Do you have a rear disc brake? If so then you probably have the "deluxe" SG model. The plain Jane G model got spoke wheels and a rear drum brake.
 
Sorry haven’t been on to reply or post pictures. Been super busy. These are a few of my project. I traced the wires from the right hand controls through the bike and it doesn’t seem like anything is cracked or exposed or unplugged. I have spark. I jumped the starter solenoid to test that. The tach/speedo aren’t plugged into the harness in the headlight. Maybe they need to be to make a complete circuit somewhere? I also noticed that the stock harness that runs into the bike for the right hand controls only has three wires but the new controls that I bought from miles xs has four wire leads. Am I missing something?
 
The bike that is in the last photo is my buddies bike. We got them in a package deal. I’m just storing it for him until he tells his wife haha
 

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