Hey all,
I have a 1980 xs650 special. I've owned it for a few years. The odometer shows under 9,000 miles and the guy I bought it from says it is original. (I take that with a grain of salt but that's what I've been told and I think it "may" be close to the truth.) I'm running open pipes, rejetted, k&N filters, brass suspension bushings, etc.
My question to all you more knowledgeable than I is, Do I just reseal it, rebuild it or get a big bore kit? To me, this is more of what we use to call "bar hoppers". Great around town and for short bursts. It vibrates quite a bit at higher speeds on the freeway though. (Yes, the tires are balanced etc). I've driven the newer triumphs and loved them on the freeway but way too much $$$ for me. Drove the new 650 royal enfields and liked them(and the price), but they are about as lacking on the freeway as these xs650 are. BUT, I DO LIKE my xs650 and am satisfied with it (except the oil leak). And the few mods I've done to it have helped greatly. It just leaks quite a bit of oil so would like to take what is left of this winter to fix the oil leak. I'm just wondering since I have to probably take it apart at least partially, anything else I should do while I'm in there? Also, a good parts source. I have nothing against mikes but would like to hear of other, reliable parts sources. And if there is good pictorial here or on the web, or even a book (rember those?) that would be immeasurable. I've come across a guide in German but I don't speak German.
The leak seems to be coming from where the top thing (valve cover?) meets the finned part (barrel?) and/or where the finned part meets the case. I've already tried adding the brass washers on top and torqueing them to spec. I've rebuilt several car engines but never a bike engine so I'm not too stupid and feel I should be able to tackle this. And I've had everything from crotch rockets to hogs. I was thinking at the very least since it will be at least partially apart, I could get a nice cam in there (open to suggestions) Nothing too radical and still streetable. I checked the compression a while ago and it wasn't equal. It was a little more than 10% difference which seems to indicate.....However, it doesn't smoke (blue or white). Also, any special valve job (multiangle, etc) that helps but isn't cost prohibitive (titanium, etc if thasts even an option on these, lol) would be appreciated (and who could reliably do it). I could probably do a port and polish/port match myself (is the difference worth it?)
So that's a little about me and what I'm looking for. I'm all ears. Thanks in advance
I have a 1980 xs650 special. I've owned it for a few years. The odometer shows under 9,000 miles and the guy I bought it from says it is original. (I take that with a grain of salt but that's what I've been told and I think it "may" be close to the truth.) I'm running open pipes, rejetted, k&N filters, brass suspension bushings, etc.
My question to all you more knowledgeable than I is, Do I just reseal it, rebuild it or get a big bore kit? To me, this is more of what we use to call "bar hoppers". Great around town and for short bursts. It vibrates quite a bit at higher speeds on the freeway though. (Yes, the tires are balanced etc). I've driven the newer triumphs and loved them on the freeway but way too much $$$ for me. Drove the new 650 royal enfields and liked them(and the price), but they are about as lacking on the freeway as these xs650 are. BUT, I DO LIKE my xs650 and am satisfied with it (except the oil leak). And the few mods I've done to it have helped greatly. It just leaks quite a bit of oil so would like to take what is left of this winter to fix the oil leak. I'm just wondering since I have to probably take it apart at least partially, anything else I should do while I'm in there? Also, a good parts source. I have nothing against mikes but would like to hear of other, reliable parts sources. And if there is good pictorial here or on the web, or even a book (rember those?) that would be immeasurable. I've come across a guide in German but I don't speak German.
The leak seems to be coming from where the top thing (valve cover?) meets the finned part (barrel?) and/or where the finned part meets the case. I've already tried adding the brass washers on top and torqueing them to spec. I've rebuilt several car engines but never a bike engine so I'm not too stupid and feel I should be able to tackle this. And I've had everything from crotch rockets to hogs. I was thinking at the very least since it will be at least partially apart, I could get a nice cam in there (open to suggestions) Nothing too radical and still streetable. I checked the compression a while ago and it wasn't equal. It was a little more than 10% difference which seems to indicate.....However, it doesn't smoke (blue or white). Also, any special valve job (multiangle, etc) that helps but isn't cost prohibitive (titanium, etc if thasts even an option on these, lol) would be appreciated (and who could reliably do it). I could probably do a port and polish/port match myself (is the difference worth it?)
So that's a little about me and what I'm looking for. I'm all ears. Thanks in advance