Trade - Trade my complete 78 standard for a special?

[joeshmoe_13]

I got this complete 78 xs650 standard in green that turns over and runs, been garage kept and is in great condition. Haven't gotten it tuned well enough to run more than a few minutes though. My original plan was to chop it before you all told it me was rare, so I wanted to see if someone wants to trade for a special. I'd rather this model go to someone who will appreciate it. I'm in upstate South Carolina.

 

[Niels B]

Unfortunately I don’t have a special to swab you, however curious if you want to swab it because you haven’t been able to “tune it” right or just because you like the special better. I rebuild a couple of these - if all is stock it shouldn’t be that hard to get the points right - clean the carb etc. my guess is that’s your timing that’s off and need adjustment, I can be a bitch if you don’t have the knowledge - especially see when the points open for correct setting - it can be solved pretty easy though and there are lots of infor here on this forum ( make a little test lamp ) that would be a good start for setting timing. The carb most likely need cleaning but if all is original, doubt you need to fiddle with needle height and jets. I love mine and it runs great ( especially after I got the timing right)

 

[joeshmoe_13]

Unfortunately I don’t have a special to swab you, however curious if you want to swab it because you haven’t been able to “tune it” right or just because you like the special better. I rebuild a couple of these - if all is stock it shouldn’t be that hard to get the points right - clean the carb etc. my guess is that’s your timing that’s off and need adjustment, I can be a bitch if you don’t have the knowledge - especially see when the points open for correct setting - it can be solved pretty easy though and there are lots of infor here on this forum ( make a little test lamp ) that would be a good start for setting timing. The carb most likely need cleaning but if all is original, doubt you need to fiddle with needle height and jets. I love mine and it runs great ( especially after I got the timing right)

Honestly it's because I want to chop it, and everyone said this is a sought after model and it would be a shame to chop it instead of a special. I've done the static timing on it with a test lamp a few times and done the gap on the points etc.

 

[jetmechmarty]

@joeshmoe_13, this is extremely considerate of you. I believe in 1978 Specials outsold standards by 7 to 1. Your bike can be restored or resto modded. It's less likely anyone will restore a Special in that condition. I hope someone steps up.

 

[joeshmoe_13]

@joeshmoe_13, this is extremely considerate of you. I believe in 1978 Specials outsold standards by 7 to 1. Your bike can be restored or resto modded. It's less likely anyone will restore a Special in that condition. I hope someone steps up.

That's what I've heard, when I posted it here a year or so ago saying I wanted to chop it everyone pounced on me and begged me not to. So I thought I'd see if I could get something worked out

 

[Niels B]

I hope you’ll get it figured out, I wish I was the one that had a special to trade Just finished another ‘78 E, but my “green” tank and covers were not the best so I ended up using a special tank .

 

[joeshmoe_13]

Unfortunately I don’t have a special to swab you, however curious if you want to swab it because you haven’t been able to “tune it” right or just because you like the special better. I rebuild a couple of these - if all is stock it shouldn’t be that hard to get the points right - clean the carb etc. my guess is that’s your timing that’s off and need adjustment, I can be a bitch if you don’t have the knowledge - especially see when the points open for correct setting - it can be solved pretty easy though and there are lots of infor here on this forum ( make a little test lamp ) that would be a good start for setting timing. The carb most likely need cleaning but if all is original, doubt you need to fiddle with needle height and jets. I love mine and it runs great ( especially after I got the timing right)

Well my wife actually said "Why don't you keep that one and restore it then buy another one to chop?" So I'll try my hand at restoring it like yours!

 

[GLJ]

Well my wife actually said "Why don't you keep that one and restore it then buy another one to chop?"

Your wife is definitely a keeper!!!

 

[Niels B]

Well my wife actually said "Why don't you keep that one and restore it then buy another one to chop?" So I'll try my hand at restoring it like yours!

I think that’s a great idea, you’ll not regret

 

[joeshmoe_13]

Your wife is definitely a keeper!!!

You said it