Vin Confusion

[CD15]

Hi Guys, new to the site and new to the xs650. I just picked up an 1983 (or so I think) XS650 in Canada!
I have been searching the forum and read through and tried to cross reference my vin but I'm not sure it fits correctly. I understand if it falls under 5V5-03 that it's a 1983 but the numbers after this don't cross reference with any of the charts. The VIN in its entirety is 5V5-031024

I am looking to peg what year and model (hs or s) to find a starter motor for it. Thanks guys, any help would be great.

 

[Jim]

Welcome aboard!!

All year starters will work in any year bike. Was your starter removed or is it boke? Reason I ask is some folk that build choppers/bobbers remove the starter along with the gear train inside the engine.

Your VIN goes to an '83 Heritage SK, Canadian model.

 

[CD15]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the quick response and appreciate the welcome. That's fantastic, really appreciate the insight and good to know that any year starter will work on any XS. So I am not entirely sure yet, I just picked it up today. The gentleman that owned it before me stated that the previous owner whom did most of the work left the wiring for the starter. I am going to have a look this Saturday and see what's there. I have some work to do for it to get to where I want it but excited to do it over the winter here in frigid Ontario Canada!

 

[Jim]

Cool. When you have a look to see if all the gear train is still there, have a look inside the starter gearbox cover. If those gears are still in place, there's a good possibility it's all still there.

It's underneath the left side.cover. You'll need to drain the oil first... or lay the bike over on it's right side. Blanket, pillows and all that jazz...

 

[Jim]

the previous owner whom did most of the work left the wiring for the starter.

In that case, he might have also left the starter installed. Have you looked underneath the engine to see if it's there?

 

[CD15]

Thanks Jim, I'll definitely have a look, thank you for this. I haven't looked underneath but was going to ask what I was looking for (starter) saw a pic of what I think it should look like from an old forum post.

 

[CD15]

Well had a look and took some photos. Looks like there isn't a starter and they did remove it. I haven't had a chance to get into the housing to see if all the gears are there but will do so this weekend. I also can't get the bike started, the lights, horn, signals aren't working when I turn the ignition on so have to get a schematic for her and trace all the wiring. Let me know your thoughts guys, any insight would be great.

 

[jetmechmarty]

That stator connector down there exposed to the elements is a disaster waiting to happen. I don’t think those connections will last long if you ride the bike outdoors.

 

[Jim]

Dead battery? Loose battery connections?

 

[CD15]

Yeah agreed, going to clean up all the wiring, get the starter back in place.
I did check the battery and it's charged so not really sure other then some wiring issue somewhere.