What have you done to your XS today?
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It appears you're missing the flat washer under the large e-clip. The '79-'80 kicker is my fav. Yamaha gave the arm a slight inward curve so it folds into the bike tighter. It is also still the large foot type. In '81, Yamaha made the whole thing skinnier, the arm, the foot, everything. It's not as easy to get a good kick with this late style skinny kicker.
Yes I am missing that washer. I’ll have to see if I have something that will fit in there. is the left lever the correct one for my ‘76? Thx
Edit - made a washer. Good enough for now. Might make a SS one so I don’t need to worry about rust.
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No, the '78 and older arms were straight with no inward curve or bend. Here's a '79 compared to a '77. The '77 straight style would be what your '76 came with .....
The splined clamp and pivot part was the same, just the arm differed (bend in the '79-'80). The '79 arm pictured I scored off eBay for about $20. The chrome was good on it so I was willing to give $20 for it, but it was only the arm, no splined clamp and pivot part. But, I was able to use the one from the rusty '77 arm pictured. Luckily, it was in good shape and not all rusty.
The splined clamp and pivot part was the same, just the arm differed (bend in the '79-'80). The '79 arm pictured I scored off eBay for about $20. The chrome was good on it so I was willing to give $20 for it, but it was only the arm, no splined clamp and pivot part. But, I was able to use the one from the rusty '77 arm pictured. Luckily, it was in good shape and not all rusty.
Hi, I'm pretty new to the forum. I just acquired two XS650's both in running condition. One is a 1977 (which is the same year, model and color as my first motorcycle bought new my senior year of high school) and the other is a 1978 Standard. Both bikes are complete and the '77 came with an NOS tank and Exhaust system. The '78 has brand new rims and tires. I bought these from different people and I am the third owner of the '77 and the second owner of the '78. I can verify that for the '78 because the owner gave me the original title issued to him in 1978. I can only take the word for the owner of the '77 that he was the second owner. I am struggling with the best course of action for these bikes from a value standpoint and a practicality standpoint. Originally I was going to put the NOS parts on the '77 but the more I think about it, since it's a true survivor, with original everything including seat and tires I hate to start putting new parts on it. One thought it so put the factory new tank and exhaust on it and save the original parts. The '78 will probably end up as the one I drive more, so I'm fine with having after-market rims and new tires on it. I want to "show" the '77 and don't know whether it would be better as a excellent condition survivor or a museum quality restored bike, with some new parts. Any thoughts you guys have would be greatly appreciated, I would sincerely like to know what you guys would do with these two bikes.
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IMHO, the more original, the better. This trend in vintage vehicles isn't going away. You can restore something an infinite number of times, it's only original once.
As @46th Georgia and @drgonzo say. The only thing I'd add is, if you intend to ride the '77 at all fit new tyres. Not a good idea to ride on the originals. But you are a very fortunate man to have two lovely XS650s.
Turning With the Thames (not that one)
February 7 and it was 12C, pulled the cover off the '77 and went for a putt putt out to the Prairie Siding bridge and back.
A half hour well spent.
A shout out to MaxPete who showed me why I could not upload pics - one must be signed in.
Shoulda put it up on the centre stand and moved it away from the mailbox, but the shoulder width said don't dawdle.
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Zonie
XS650 Enthusiast
Going to top up my battery and take my 76 650 out for a ride. First time in years it has been back on the road.
Picture to follow.
Picture to follow.
Be careful; 30-40mph +- max
Zonie
XS650 Enthusiast
Oh, I will. I have a loop ride that I take. I'v had it running for some time and just got the tags for the old girl yesterday. Been recovering from shoulder surgery and just got the clearance to go out and play. Need to bleed the brakes on my RE Interceptor and gas up the Commando and give them all a short ride.Be careful; 30-40mph +- max
Not a big win but got my Magura clutch lever powder coated. Now everything “matches”. Sorry for the bad “after” photo’s. The powder coat job was nice. Smears on the lever are from grease on my hands. Bike is now ready to roll! Come on spring!
Vincenthdfan
XS650 Addict
Does that Magura give you a better/longer pull on the clutch cable to achieve neutral easier when sitting still?
I've heard of that trick before, just never heard any real world results from anyone.
The Magura does give more plate separation and helps with finding neutral. No mystery on how this works. The lever is bent and sticks out further from the hand grip. Longer reach and tough if you have smaller hands. There’s a good thread on this.
https://www.xs650.com/threads/magura-clutch-lever-and-aluminum-pushrod.56574/
https://www.xs650.com/threads/magura-clutch-lever-and-aluminum-pushrod.56574/
Guess I won’t be using the Magura clutch lever anytime soon
... or eating Whoppers apparently....
Dunc
XS650 Addict
Just went out on the First Ride! What a fugn bewdy! Took it fairly easy as it's mostly new, didn't go over 1/2 throttle, but seems like it's got plenty of torque. Brakes work nice & the 277 sounds excellent through the MAC pipes. Seems to handle well, maybe a bit low as I scraped the sidestand on one corner.
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Made a few subtle changes to the cafe bike. I dropped the gauges and headlamp down and deleted the rear fender. I also changed the taillight to a more compact unit.
It's not there yet but I'm getting closer.
It's not there yet but I'm getting closer.
