What have you done to your XS today?

Today I pushed it in i the summer night
Prefect weather again wont get any better Had some tools for adjusting the Ignition timing

60 - 70 km -s out Died --- blown main fuse 20 A New fuse blew again directly have 2 on the bike charging 30 A and main 20 A
maybe need to think about that.
Had to push it 2 km .. To a gas station the first closed ,The second no fuses no voltmeter and no WC so I could let out the chicken in the belly that wanted to fly again. The girl not in any mood helping anyone

Was getting darker and with not so many fuses left -- 2 and no Voltmeter I was planning to park take bus and train home and come back next day.
Took out the Boyer pickups ,since I had adjusted them
Took off the flasher relay being close to the motor
Disconnected regulator
took off spark plug caps from plugs
Second to last fuse Power on aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ..ndd green neutral light not blowing the fuse
Neheeejj ..

I can go somewhere on the battery to another gas station with fuses and perhaps a Voltmeter
Can let the chicken out.
Much better Station bought 6 fuses
But no voltmeter
Getting darker so going home on the battery without lights was not good And some roads was not good for stalling in the night
Long walks and impossible push difficult find towing.
I figured before take the buss . I can always test what happens if I connect the regulator
Was expecting a fuse blow immediately but no ..green neutral light again Kick started --and charging
I did find one of the stater white wires not being connected but I don't think it was the reason for fuse blowing

OK ..tried to ride home in the night lights on .Not revving and not high speed .
And got home. 140 km in all + 2 km pushing -still perfect weather
A Midsummer Night's Nightmare?
 
A Midsummer Night's Nightmare?

Yes Sir ..A Downer .but having been in the last owner segment .and not use money .-This is what happens
Part of the situation and always was.
Have a clean sheet
Not used a shop.
Not Towed anything but close this time.
But the time when I Check out is coming Closer.

Not that many times in 40 years after all One time a friend came with a trailer after
rolled over on a gravel road. But the rest have been solved at the roadside being able to get home.

This one can be tricky if a heat dependent shortcut . Will inspect if I can find anything and perhaps add more fuses
 
Today I fitted a pair of old cocktail shaker silencers with a stainless perforated tube and a sheet of baffle wadding
I'm hoping it'll give a nicer/deeper exhaust note
All they had in before was a drilled disc
 

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Today I pushed it in i the summer night
Prefect weather again wont get any better Had some tools for adjusting the Ignition timing

60 - 70 km -s out Died --- blown main fuse 20 A New fuse blew again directly have 2 on the bike charging 30 A and main 20 A
maybe need to think about that.
Had to push it 2 km .. To a gas station the first closed ,The second no fuses no voltmeter and no WC so I could let out the chicken in the belly that wanted to fly again. The girl not in any mood helping anyone

Was getting darker and with not so many fuses left -- 2 and no Voltmeter I was planning to park take bus and train home and come back next day.
Took out the Boyer pickups ,since I had adjusted them
Took off the flasher relay being close to the motor
Disconnected regulator
took off spark plug caps from plugs
Second to last fuse Power on aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ..ndd green neutral light not blowing the fuse
Neheeejj ..

I can go somewhere on the battery to another gas station with fuses and perhaps a Voltmeter
Can let the chicken out.
Much better Station bought 6 fuses
But no voltmeter
Getting darker so going home on the battery without lights was not good And some roads was not good for stalling in the night
Long walks and impossible push difficult find towing.
I figured before take the buss . I can always test what happens if I connect the regulator
Was expecting a fuse blow immediately but no ..green neutral light again Kick started --and charging
I did find one of the stater white wires not being connected but I don't think it was the reason for fuse blowing

OK ..tried to ride home in the night lights on .Not revving and not high speed .
And got home. 140 km in all + 2 km pushing -still perfect weather
What a bummer Jan. sad news about the bikes electrics.
At least you got the old bike home. Let us know how you progress the issue.
 
Incidentally
This stainless steel mudguard bridge is from a BMW boxer twin
It virtually bolts straight on the yam forks ,all I had to do was slot the front fixing holes upwards
These mudguard brackets actually a fork brace on a BMW they are really strong
 

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I added a small digital volt meter. Soon I hope to be riding it so I want monitor the charging system to see what problems if any there may be. 50 year old components and the PO said all was good until he used hi beam on the headlight then that killed the battery, not too encouraging although he did have a new battery in it and that will save me at least that expense. Somewhere down the road when I know the electrics are 100% I'll remove the gauge for aesthetic reasons.
 
Today I fitted a pair of old cocktail shaker silencers with a stainless perforated tube and a sheet of baffle wadding
I'm hoping it'll give a nicer/deeper exhaust note
All they had in before was a drilled disc
As a follow up to this today I started the engine for
the first time for several weeks since I had the engine out to paint the frame and fit new rings etc
I'm happy to report no sign of any smoke at all
And the cocktail shakers sound brilliant with the perforated tube and baffle wadding
 
I added a small digital volt meter. Soon I hope to be riding it so I want monitor the charging system to see what problems if any there may be. 50 year old components and the PO said all was good until he used hi beam on the headlight then that killed the battery, not too encouraging although he did have a new battery in it and that will save me at least that expense. Somewhere down the road when I know the electrics are 100% I'll remove the gauge for aesthetic reasons.
If it's a cheap Chinese eBay voltmeter they are not completely accurate in my experience
But still a good indicator of what's happening
A simple upgrade is to go for a PMA alternator and a solid state reg/rectifier
I used an LC 350 alternator and a honda reg/rectifier on mine
 
I added a small digital volt meter. Soon I hope to be riding it so I want monitor the charging system to see what problems if any there may be. 50 year old components and the PO said all was good until he used hi beam on the headlight then that killed the battery, not too encouraging although he did have a new battery in it and that will save me at least that expense. Somewhere down the road when I know the electrics are 100% I'll remove the gauge for aesthetic reasons.
I like the idea of a volt meter even if its hidden away somewhere for a quick check now and again.. thanks for the inspiration...

As for what I did today? I started the process of swapping in some new tc bros 1" dia 12" apes.. nice and comfortable hieght. Quite happy with the looks and feel...Sorry I forgot to take a before picture
 

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What did I do to my XS650 today? I took it out, trundled around the backlanes, pasted it it all the way home, checked the clutch to make sure I get neutral ok, checked the tightness of the engine case screws once it had cooled down and finally drained the float chambers. Its running well and the clutch finally works as it should. My tooth fillings really dont like modern pot-holed and patched roads.
 
What a bummer Jan. sad news about the bikes electrics.
At least you got the old bike home. Let us know how you progress the issue.
2 days on the sofa -- summer cold
Got some inspiration inspected and checked could not find anything major
Got nervous seeing Björns VAPE stater The holder for the stater had screws a bit lose reinstalled I used liberally with loctite

The rotor sat rock hard --- Had to find a puller to get it off

The paper shims for getting the radial play was still in there which I did not count on
Used the same paper again but this times only a strip and closer in towards the motor.Sticking out at the back so I could grab it wit a pointed pliers remove it. When tightened

Did find a very small wire .with 12 V on it could not figure out where it should go capped it.

I installed a separate 12 V wire to the Boyer .Not tried it yet .. With a Fuse ..that fuse is removed if everything is working getting the system up and running via the switched Brown the regular right way
Should the main Fuse blow .I turn the ignition off and insert the fuse to the Boyer separate wire hoping to start it
Stopping via removing the fuse --at home preferably or at least with shorter distance to push
The PMA i believe will charge as soon the engine turns
Got late and dark finishing ---Starting possibly tomorrow
 
Fitted new rear brake shoes and overhauled the brake cam assembly. It was in desperate need. The felt seal was full of rust rather than grease but after a good clean and a generous regreasing it was fine to fit again.

Took the opportunity to remove the Hagon shocks that are about 2cm longer than stock and put the originals back on. I don't like the way it steers with the rear end that bit higher. The shocks are pretty skanky really but I'll try it before possibly replacing them.

IMG20250710145252.jpg
 
Fitted new rear brake shoes and overhauled the brake cam assembly. It was in desperate need. The felt seal was full of rust rather than grease but after a good clean and a generous regreasing it was fine to fit again.

Took the opportunity to remove the Hagon shocks that are about 2cm longer than stock and put the originals back on. I don't like the way it steers with the rear end that bit higher. The shocks are pretty skanky really but I'll try it before possibly replacing them.

View attachment 353524
I think your divot on the shaft of the rear brake came is facing outward. Should be facing inward towards the axle. You can search the forum on this topic
 
I think your divot on the shaft of the rear brake came is facing outward. Should be facing inward towards the axle. You can search the forum on this topic
Thanks, the mark on the shaft end at about 8.00 o'clock? That's just a mark on the shaft, it isn't "the dot". I appreciate the comment though.
 
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