Reunited with XS650SH

[jetmechmarty]

The center stand on this thing is roached.

I had a centerstand from my XS650SK that got bent in an accident over 20 years ago. My neighbor has a press and was kind enough to allow me to use it. Now I have a gusseted '83 stand on my SH.

After that, I swapped the taillight lamps. Now LED.

 

[5twins]

I'm getting ready to spring for some of those LED bulbs. It's just a normal 1157 replacement, right?

 

[jetmechmarty]

I'm getting ready to spring for some of those LED bulbs. It's just a normal 1157 replacement, right?

Yes. I got them in red.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I rode it,and pushed it hard. I did a few top gear WOT roll-ons from 2500 rpm to about 6000. It feels perfect and I believe the pinging is gone.

However:

Not much there in the way of color. Both plugs look the same. I was a bit surprised. The pipes have no discoloration.

 

[jpdevol]

Could it be the fuel you're running? If it runs well, I might try some ethanol free and see if ya get some color on the plugs, before more tuning. There's a Shell station in Hernando that reportedly sells 90 Octane ethanol-free https://www.google.com/maps/place/S...2!3d34.8168651!4d-89.9935029!16s/g/11j2lvpfc4

 

[5twins]

Your plugs may be burning fine. What you have to do is look deep down into the plug and look for a ring of color around the base of the porcelain. I like to see it climbing not more than 1/3 of the way up the porcelain .....

 

[jetmechmarty]

Could it be the fuel you're running? If it runs well, I might try some ethanol free and see if ya get some color on the plugs, before more tuning. There's a Shell station in Hernando that reportedly sells 90 Octane ethanol-free https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shell/@34.8168651,-89.995697,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x887ff5825d61abd3:0xda3db541304293ed!8m2!3d34.8168651!4d-89.9935029!16s/g/11j2lvpfc4

We have ethanol free gas all around me. Since we moved here, my bikes rarely taste ethanol. These plugs haven’t burned any. JP, thanks for taking the time to look that up.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Your plugs may be burning fine. What you have to do is look deep down into the plug and look for a ring of color around the base of the porcelain. I like to see it climbing not more than 1/3 of the way up the porcelain .....

View attachment 240162

It’s gotta be pretty deep.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Today's project is an attempt to get the flashers working. The colors in the schematic don't appear to entirely match what's in the headlight shell. Today, I'll try the XS650SK template.

OK, so it's over a month later. This bike does not have a Dg (dark green) wire to the right turn indicators. It's light green. I checked over all the signal wiring with a meter. Done! No signal operation at all. I used the fault isolation steps in chapter 6 of the factory service manual. That took me to this.

I'm out of practice, but I can still solder.

I don't think I have to do anything else to take it to the Ozarks. I may futz more, but I don't think I have to.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I rode over to my favorite juke joint. The self cancel feature works perfectly. Happy, happy.

 

[jetmechmarty]

When I rode this thing 100 miles the other night, I could smell burnt oil when I parked it. I think it's safe to assume the cylinder head has never been retorqued. And I assume it should be done cold. I may have the appropriate copper washers as well.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Mileage upon delivery was 6042.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I've driven it now 1,800 miles. I threw a leg over it the other night and something wasn't right. So, I switch bikes.

When I turn off the choke, I lose the left cylinder. It runs with the throttle opened up, but when I close the throttle, the exhaust is popping. I suspect crud in the pilot circuit.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I removed the carburetors and cleaned the debris from the left carburetor pilot jet. That should do it. There was debris in the tank from going after the epoxy liner with a round file.

Our friend, Ross (@rhkansas) gave me the tip for securing the screens. My safety wire pliers came in handy. That fix was applied after the Ozark rally. It's a proven fix.

While I'm at it, this is a perfectly good rotor. It's going to be a serviceable spare.

I have a rewind by @Jim.

Buttoned up and cleaned up. I won't be concerned about rotor failures for 20 years or so.

Pretty much buttoned back up.

Fortunately, this can wait until later.

 

[Jan_P]

Water or hitting ?

 

[jetmechmarty]

Water or hitting ?

View attachment 250182

That's just some rust. I sprayed it all with electric motor cleaner before reassembly.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I cleaned the left pilot jet. It's fixed. It idles on two cylinders. In 5th gear, it let the RPM drop below 2500. I opened the throttle to the stop. It pulls without complaint. While it's still not quite as smooth as my XS650SK, the high amplitude vibration from 4000 to 4800 is gone.
I never checked it, but I rode 25 miles and it didn't go dead, so it's safe to assume Jim's rotor is good.
I installed a new clutch cable while I was in there too.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Something I forgot to mention, the rubber plug on the left intake barb was split. It could not have been longer than since March that it was installed. It is another inferior aftermarket part, but I won't say where I got it because I'm not 100% sure. It's one of those things that should probably be OE.

The petcock outlet needs to be reclocked 90 degrees. Pointed straight down is a no go. I'll have a hole in the hose in no time. I need a shim with a 7mm hole diameter. Can I use a feeler gauge to judge thickness? I can't get what I need local. Suggestions? This aftermarket petcock is not plug and play.

The "650 Special" badges on the side covers were rattling and making dust. Hopefully, my cure is adequate. I have not tried this stuff in the past. It cast less than half as much as a little tube of RTV.

 

[5twins]

Maybe just double up the sealing washers on that petcock outlet. I don't think you need to turn it a full 90°, just get it angled a bit more towards the inside and I think it will be good.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Maybe just double up the sealing washers on that petcock outlet. I don't think you need to turn it a full 90°, just get it angled a bit more towards the inside and I think it will be good.

I'll run to the local autoparts house and see if they have a sealing washer that small. It's worth a try.