Timing Issues and Year Irregularities

[Tkcoombs]

Hi everyone!

First time poster. Big time newbie to bike mechanics and have a few questions...hoping for help.

I have a 1980 model that belonged to my late dad that sat in a barn for 42 years. I had it shipped to me and I've been working on it for the last year or so and finally have it running. I've driven it around the block semi-fine but it won't idle. It needs constant throttle to run or it shuts off.

I tried to set timing again today (while having to continue to gently rev it so it stayed on) and found the strobe flashes flashing slightly late of TDC. Not at the Firing (F) icon. Is there an easy way of advancing this for a newbie? Is this why it may not be idling? Also, every 10th strobe or so the strobe then randomly shows the mark on the stator WAY far left of the F icon. Just one flash. Then back to TDC icon for another several seconds. Then back advanced on F. Then back again. Does this make sense or sound like a familiar issue to anyone?

Last thing...I've thought for years since I have a 1980 that I have a TCI ignition. I can't find any known cases of bikes post 1979 having points. Realized I had points today and need to learn to set and check those. Google says my bike was either titled later than it was actually made or that there was an engine swap. Pretty sure my dad didn't swap it in the three years he owned it before he parked it. Anyone ever come across anything like having a 1980 with 1979 stock parts/mechanisms? Should I treat my bike like a 79 from now on?



Thanks for any insight! Hope to get this running smoothly soon.

 

[gggGary]

Welcome aboard!
hmm lets see some pics, inside the cam covers left and right.
If it has points it also has mechanical advance via springs and weights under the RH cam cover, those parts and especially the advance rod need occasional maintenance.
Take a wander through this thread
https://www.xs650.com/threads/rpms-hover-but-not-finding-air-leak.18187/
for some how to's

 

[Its been a long time]

It is possible a 1980 motor was converted to points. The VIN number should determine if it's a 1979 or 1980 bike.

As well as looking under the left and right camshaft chrome covers, let's see the alternator stator by removing the lower left side cover. The one with two screws. We can see if it has a 1979 or 1980 alternator stator fitted. Pictures really help with this kind of stuff.

 

[siscoken]

Before you set the timing .... adjust the chain and point gap ... or preferable point dwell and then timing.
Edit
Sorry just reread ... no points

 

[DogBunny]

Sounds to me like you do have points, but the pictures you are going to post will confirm exactly what you have.
If you DO have points, you'll have two of them, and the timing has to be set separately for each side.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Won’t idle is likely plugged pilot jets in the carburetors. Are you starting it with the choke open?

Carburetors changed between 1979 and 1980. 1979 has BS38. 1980 has BS34. Post a pic, we can tell.

 

[5twins]

Yes, 1980 was a "big change" year for the XS650. Besides the electronic ignition, it got new and different carbs. So yes, show us some pics and we can tell you what you've got.

 

[650Skull]

Hi everyone!

First time poster. Big time newbie to bike mechanics and have a few questions...hoping for help.

I have a 1980 model that belonged to my late dad that sat in a barn for 42 years. I had it shipped to me and I've been working on it for the last year or so and finally have it running. I've driven it around the block semi-fine but it won't idle. It needs constant throttle to run or it shuts off.

I tried to set timing again today (while having to continue to gently rev it so it stayed on) and found the strobe flashes flashing slightly late of TDC. Not at the Firing (F) icon. Is there an easy way of advancing this for a newbie? Is this why it may not be idling? Also, every 10th strobe or so the strobe then randomly shows the mark on the stator WAY far left of the F icon. Just one flash. Then back to TDC icon for another several seconds. Then back advanced on F. Then back again. Does this make sense or sound like a familiar issue to anyone?

Last thing...I've thought for years since I have a 1980 that I have a TCI ignition. I can't find any known cases of bikes post 1979 having points. Realized I had points today and need to learn to set and check those. Google says my bike was either titled later than it was actually made or that there was an engine swap. Pretty sure my dad didn't swap it in the three years he owned it before he parked it. Anyone ever come across anything like having a 1980 with 1979 stock parts/mechanisms? Should I treat my bike like a 79 from now on?



Thanks for any insight! Hope to get this running smoothly soon.

Welcome, better and trustworthy answers to questions on here.


I posted a link to the ID thread with ID charts for frame and motor #'s in your Facebook post.
The only way to tell if the bike or engine is, or isn't, the same as the rego states, is by identifying through the vin charts

Your bike looks to b an 80G/SII. Again the model ID, (pics and description) is in that link I posted.

To find the link on here, it is the first link in the "tech" section or the 4th link on page 1, (just above the thread on the rules of the site), in the garage section of this forum