My Specials are all dual rate, except for the one I fitted with aftermarket straight rate.
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What have you done to your XS today?
- Thread starter I am Carbon
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Thanks. Probably the stock springs then. I was a bit surprised that Yamaha were doing stuff like that back in 77. The XS650 didn't have a wonderful reputation for handling. My 76 650C, you could feel the forks deflecting backwards towards the engine as the rear wheel floated off the road. The dual discs were terrific, the 34mm forks were dreadful
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Yes, dual rate springs were stock in the 35mm forks ......
...... but I've found them to be a bit too soft. Adding about 3/4" of preload really helps.
I've put together a spare set of forks, my "hybrid" set I call them, combining what I consider all the best parts from the 35mm forks. I used '77 tubes and damper rods combined with '78-on springs, preload adjustable top caps, and top out springs. I didn't add any additional preload because I figured the taller tops on the '77 damper rods would do that for me, but they are still a bit soft. I may need a little preload spacer ......
...... but I've found them to be a bit too soft. Adding about 3/4" of preload really helps.
I've put together a spare set of forks, my "hybrid" set I call them, combining what I consider all the best parts from the 35mm forks. I used '77 tubes and damper rods combined with '78-on springs, preload adjustable top caps, and top out springs. I didn't add any additional preload because I figured the taller tops on the '77 damper rods would do that for me, but they are still a bit soft. I may need a little preload spacer ......
The dual rate is very good for a one size fits all.Thanks. Probably the stock springs then. I was a bit surprised that Yamaha were doing stuff like that back in 77. The XS650 didn't have a wonderful reputation for handling. My 76 650C, you could feel the forks deflecting backwards towards the engine as the rear wheel floated off the road. The dual discs were terrific, the 34mm forks were dreadful
I completed an oil change over the weekend. The XS650SH got synthetic this time. (Because it was what I could get locally and it was on sale.) I used the bike to run my errands yesterday evening despite the oppressive heat. I noted that the engine runs with less mechanical noise.
Domestic chores presently, so I haven't refitted the forks yet. But I got a pack of 10 LED instrument bulbs delivered this morning. So I spent a few minutes fitting them in place of the old neutral and turn signal bulbs. The LED bulbs are a bit taller than the old style incandescent bulbs. But there's plenty of headroom in the instrument light housing to accommodate that. The LED bulbs are brighter to an astonishing degree and will be quite visible in bright sunlight, I think. We don't get a lot of that here though. I photographed the before and after neutral light. The difference is obvious. The picture that looks a paler shade of green is because the LED bulb is so much brighter than the old bulb that shows darker green. The bulbs are cheap as chips. I used three so I have seven spares. I think the pack of ten was £5.65 delivered. Pictures -
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Haven't worked on the XS lately. Last thing I did on her were some finishing touches like her name label attached to the fuel tank. (silver on silver so kinda hard to see)
But I do enjoy riding her, now that she's finished.
I am now focusing on a new project that is consuming my time and my buddy dragged in another bike that he wants to my help with so I got my work cut out for me. Yay?
But I do enjoy riding her, now that she's finished.
I am now focusing on a new project that is consuming my time and my buddy dragged in another bike that he wants to my help with so I got my work cut out for me. Yay?
After fitting new fork oil seals, fork lowers cleaned up with oil and 1200 grade wet and dry followed by a light polishing. Not the intention to have polished forks but removing the obvious corrosion staining. They've come up pretty well and will need minimum attention going forward.
Very shiny new Yamaha front mudguard fitted. A bit of an indulgence but I'm happier having a genuine Yamaha one fitted. It was about the only piece of the bike that wasn't original Yamaha when I bought it. Probably be able to sell the one I took off for maybe half the price of the new one, so not a bad deal really.
The inner faces of the vallanced alloy rims needs the 1200 wet and dry plus oil treatment as there's a bit of corrosion in there. Not polishing though. For now, that's enough. Time to enjoy what is left of probably the one last sunny, warm summer weekend of the year
Very shiny new Yamaha front mudguard fitted. A bit of an indulgence but I'm happier having a genuine Yamaha one fitted. It was about the only piece of the bike that wasn't original Yamaha when I bought it. Probably be able to sell the one I took off for maybe half the price of the new one, so not a bad deal really.
The inner faces of the vallanced alloy rims needs the 1200 wet and dry plus oil treatment as there's a bit of corrosion in there. Not polishing though. For now, that's enough. Time to enjoy what is left of probably the one last sunny, warm summer weekend of the year
That brake hose makes me wince.After fitting new fork oil seals, fork lowers cleaned up with oil and 1200 grade wet and dry followed by a light polishing. Not the intention to have polished forks but removing the obvious corrosion staining. They've come up pretty well and will need minimum attention going forward.
Very shiny new Yamaha front mudguard fitted. A bit of an indulgence but I'm happier having a genuine Yamaha one fitted. It was about the only piece of the bike that wasn't original Yamaha when I bought it. Probably be able to sell the one I took off for maybe half the price of the new one, so not a bad deal really.
The inner faces of the vallanced alloy rims needs the 1200 wet and dry plus oil treatment as there's a bit of corrosion in there. Not polishing though. For now, that's enough. Time to enjoy what is left of probably the one last sunny, warm summer weekend of the year
View attachment 334205
Yeah. Me too. I ordered it 12cm too long by mistake, but it works. I'll probably repurpose it for a 2nd disc on the left sometime and order one shorter for the right. These days braided lines are cheap as chips anyway.
It looks like it's 10+" to long to me. Turn your fitting 180*.
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I too started cringing when I saw the line. But as long as you just intend to enjoy one last warm weekend and work on it later, I believe the club can collectively forgive you.
Did you know you can build your own (aka BYO) brake lines? Buy the desired banjo fittings with desired angles, buy the hose, cut to size and install the fittings. Did it to several bikes. Love it. Never going back to pre-fabbed hoses. Plus it works for clutches too.
Speaking of riding weather, ours is about to start. Still in high 90s (35+C) here but it is supposed to start cooling down more and I should be able to ride again. Yay!
Did you know you can build your own (aka BYO) brake lines? Buy the desired banjo fittings with desired angles, buy the hose, cut to size and install the fittings. Did it to several bikes. Love it. Never going back to pre-fabbed hoses. Plus it works for clutches too.
Speaking of riding weather, ours is about to start. Still in high 90s (35+C) here but it is supposed to start cooling down more and I should be able to ride again. Yay!
CaptCardboard
XS650 Enthusiast
Man. Who would've guessed fuel petcocks from Amazon would start leaking before the end of their first season?!
Good thing I kept the originals. Looks like a rebuild kit is in my future...
Good thing I kept the originals. Looks like a rebuild kit is in my future...
Even some of the kits can leak. I work on all kinds of antique engines , I’m finding the Alcohol content in new fuel can play havoc with rubber
I find I have to ask the seller if they are alcohol proof
Well, not on my XS but on my XT. Decided on a late-day ride, brought the bike out and set it on its kick-stand. Kinda loosely straddle the bike, kick it once, twice and it fires and falls over with me under it!!! WTF??? Well, the side-stand broke off at the "clevis" end. Looks like it had been re-welded once before and poorly at that. Had my ride and then did a side-stand rebuild which entailed significant straightening, re-aligning and welding of the clevis and and added 1/4" steel pad under the foot. Touch of spray paint, re-install and its done.
Taffy Gets Looked At:
Following on from the aborted ride, Sunday afternoon I decided to pull Taffy out and fire the bike up.
First I pull the plugs to look at thier condition:
Plugs look a little sooty, maybe a bit rich running.
Plugs back in, Gonzo is installed, and the bike fires up first press with the choke out.
Warmed up and settles to idle @ 1100rpm. Slight and very occasional mis-fire. Exhaust is pushing out a little smoke.
Battery was at 12.4v / 14.2 @ 3500rpm.
No real time to delve in further today; as the landlord has said I can run a cable from the plant room to my unit for mains power.
A 50 metre run of cable through dozens of floor beams took me hours.
Following on from the aborted ride, Sunday afternoon I decided to pull Taffy out and fire the bike up.
First I pull the plugs to look at thier condition:
Plugs look a little sooty, maybe a bit rich running.
Plugs back in, Gonzo is installed, and the bike fires up first press with the choke out.
Warmed up and settles to idle @ 1100rpm. Slight and very occasional mis-fire. Exhaust is pushing out a little smoke.
Battery was at 12.4v / 14.2 @ 3500rpm.
No real time to delve in further today; as the landlord has said I can run a cable from the plant room to my unit for mains power.
A 50 metre run of cable through dozens of floor beams took me hours.
Running OK on the Gonzo suggests the Yamaha igniter has croaked? I wouldn't look at the mixture until the ignition system was sorted out if I were you. Good luck sorting it all. Goldwing, BMW and XS650 all with issues presently?
When Taffy first started the hissy fit over a year ago it was running the Hitachi (Yam) unit. I swapped out to the Gonzo and still had issues. Then found the plugs I had were duff. New plugs seemed to cure things for several rides; so I swapped back to the Hitachi unit for another few unproblematic rides. But on my Three Castles Tour (Just ride thread) it all started again. Im going to change the Reg/Rec as its the only thing that remains from the bikes origonal system.Running OK on the Gonzo suggests the Yamaha igniter has croaked? I wouldn't look at the mixture until the ignition system was sorted out if I were you. Good luck sorting it all. Goldwing, BMW and XS650 all with issues presently?
Good luck with it, there's enough help here to get it finally sorted, as you know.
My 77 650 has a different system to yours, as you know. I got a generic rectifier and a Peugeot/Lada/Lucas regulator. Both off eBay. I made new sub harnesses for them both and for less than ~25 quid all done. So far, it's been the best thing I did on the entire bike.
All the best.
