Very nice! I had noticed your previous one might have had a little extra length. Good upgrade.
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What have you done to your XS today?
- Thread starter I am Carbon
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Yes, had a bad day when I measured that one!
I get it. If you look back up this thread a ways you will see mine. Fortunately it turned out fairly good, but after I received it and eyeballed it against the bike before the caliper was mounted, I was 90% sure that I had made it too short!
festerandolini
XS650 Member
I looked at my XS650 special yesterday. Wiped some dust off the tank, wondered where the hell i was going to find the money to do all the big jobs and more.
I recently scored ('twas 100 aussie dollars... Roughly) a right hand side footpeg hanger and rubber coated peg. I slipped that onto the frame and muttered something about new rubbers...
I have been messing around with AutoCAD software (OnShape) and built up a collection of XS650 parts. I have used parts that where scrap, bent and buggered. I have also copied, or "created" new meshes of new parts i have ordered. Doing this is cheap, and faster than what i thought it would have been.
A friend of mine owes me some serious favours and has promised a lot of 3D printing. I plan to take this for... Well what is owed. I have been waiting for the test prints for a while, but eventually i get something.
The real exciting bit for me is to get the TPU filament so i can have all the bushes, isolators, grommets, plugs and the rest to be printed and tested. The XS650 (and the other yamaha bikes of the late 70's and 80's) had too many endemic rubber extruded parts for sensible restoration. In a pinch, i would not hesitate to use cloth tape, green wood
, a fair amount of hot glue, machined nylon and fuel hose to get the simulacra of vibration isolation.
I need the motivation to put some more effort into the machine, it's making me feel itchy in my bones to see it in a disassembled shambles.
I plan to stare at the XS650 tonight, with great intensity. Stare and think.
I need something, a push, a kick
...
Something- in the right direction.
Procrastination be gone!
I recently scored ('twas 100 aussie dollars... Roughly) a right hand side footpeg hanger and rubber coated peg. I slipped that onto the frame and muttered something about new rubbers...
I have been messing around with AutoCAD software (OnShape) and built up a collection of XS650 parts. I have used parts that where scrap, bent and buggered. I have also copied, or "created" new meshes of new parts i have ordered. Doing this is cheap, and faster than what i thought it would have been.
A friend of mine owes me some serious favours and has promised a lot of 3D printing. I plan to take this for... Well what is owed. I have been waiting for the test prints for a while, but eventually i get something.
The real exciting bit for me is to get the TPU filament so i can have all the bushes, isolators, grommets, plugs and the rest to be printed and tested. The XS650 (and the other yamaha bikes of the late 70's and 80's) had too many endemic rubber extruded parts for sensible restoration. In a pinch, i would not hesitate to use cloth tape, green wood
, a fair amount of hot glue, machined nylon and fuel hose to get the simulacra of vibration isolation. I need the motivation to put some more effort into the machine, it's making me feel itchy in my bones to see it in a disassembled shambles.
I plan to stare at the XS650 tonight, with great intensity. Stare and think.
I need something, a push, a kick
...Something- in the right direction.
Procrastination be gone!
Attachments
I need something, a push, a kick
Pick a short amount of time at a set time each day say 1/2 hour after supper.
pick any small project ie clean/ fix up a small part or area, repeat.
You'll soon find yourself spending more than the allocated time and the project will seem acheivable again.
cough.
(physician heal thyself)
BUT.... the leaves are near fully turned and cool sunny days force us to hit the trails to absorb nature's bounty afore the drear days of November arrive.
PS after the hiking I took madness out for a low speed putt about town.
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Very nice! I think Autumn is what I miss the most about the North. (it sure isn't the winters...)
Finished off the left side of the handlebars swap this morning.
Typical problem. Using repop parts, the parts look right but they don't quite work together properly. The clutch cable, lever and lever perch are all repop parts and decent enough quality in themselves. But as an assembly, even at maximum adjustment there was still getting on for a centimetre of cable free play. The solution is to buy a longer adjuster.
Such an item is available from Venhill. So, longer adjuster was bought and now fitted. The excessive clutch cable free play is no more.
The picture shows two of the longer adjusters to give a good idea of the extra length. Adjuster is 3cm long compared to a more typical 2cm.
The black powder coat on the handlebars was cleaned off where the left side switch cluster grounds itself on the handlebar.
Happy days
Typical problem. Using repop parts, the parts look right but they don't quite work together properly. The clutch cable, lever and lever perch are all repop parts and decent enough quality in themselves. But as an assembly, even at maximum adjustment there was still getting on for a centimetre of cable free play. The solution is to buy a longer adjuster.
Such an item is available from Venhill. So, longer adjuster was bought and now fitted. The excessive clutch cable free play is no more.
The picture shows two of the longer adjusters to give a good idea of the extra length. Adjuster is 3cm long compared to a more typical 2cm.
The black powder coat on the handlebars was cleaned off where the left side switch cluster grounds itself on the handlebar.
Happy days
I did not actually do anything to my TX but got my disk back from TrueDisc in Michigan here in the states. He did a very nice job drilling it. Would recommend for sure. Where I started pic here as well.
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Yes, I have used Tom for drilling and resurfacing of at least 4 discs, and he does great work at a very good price!
Agree and extremely fast turn around plus great communication
My Last Standard Project
Mocked up my '76 today for Inspiration.
Been going in fits and starts for about 12 years, hoping to finish it by spring. (juggling a couple Special projects too).
I like those handlebars. Looks like it would be a very comfy upright riding position.
Autoroute 750 Gets Attention
Taking it off the lift but had to clear that flat surface, so there was the top motor mount and it got installed. Big deal, eh, but it moves things along.
The XS650 had been parked for a while due to the right side backfiring and loss of power. I drained the tank to refill with fresh gas when I noticed the right side had but a trickle of fuel while the left side had a steady stream. Aha! Took the petcock off and the output was mostly blocked. Unfortunately, I tore the petcock gasket which apparently is made of unobtanium since they are $32 ea. at Partzilla!. I found a couple on eBay for a much more reasonable cost. Now to wait for USPS to deliver my gasket... Then on to why I can't find neutral at a stoplight 
.
.
festerandolini
XS650 Member
I spent more time looking at my XS650 over the Melbourne cup long weekend (melb. Cup a horse race- stops the nation, so it is said) and got motivated after friday night at the pub. Me and a mate moved the '80 XS653 special onto the big workbench in the shed.
I spent a few minutes yesterday moving parts around the workshop onto the work bench, aligning all of the found, purchased and collected parts of the XS650 into a concentrated area...
I have been manifesting many thousands of dollars to appear. I will report back when this magic occurs, probably...
Several minutes of time was used up in collating the lists of parts to be purchased, parts to be installed, and processes to be completed for the re-assembly.
Since my last post, i have spent several hundred dollars on brake lines, caliper and master cylinder seal kits, a new manifold block for the '78 xs 400 (help split the cable length, 2 × 550mm hoses, and allows the brake sensor for the honda master cylinder to be hidden behind the headlight) because i like a 8"+ rise on my bars.
So, on the way from some warehouse in HK are hoses for my "80 XS653, and the "78XS250 (400).
Today (melb cup day- tues 4/11/25) was wasted shopping for tyres that might fit either bike. Prices range from $125 for shinko's to $500 for Avon's or Michi's...
I just want some Dunlop's. They are terrible, have great grip on terrible Blacktop, they are meaty, they have aggressive road noise, and last forever. Best thing is, in the mud, black ice, loose surfaces and worse, they grip. I have survivor bias for the classic style tyres as they have been affordable and dependable. I treat them like garbage, and they grip when they are pushed.
So money will determine which set of tyres end up on the hoops.
I have to order a bunch of bearing kits (6 sets of wheel bearings, a roller conv. For the xs and a neck set or two) some sprockets and chain, some fuel filters and that's enough for now.
When i get through all of that, the bike will likely be on it's own wheels, and i will be struggling with other issues.
Until Next Time;
Enjoy the mess i have created!
I spent a few minutes yesterday moving parts around the workshop onto the work bench, aligning all of the found, purchased and collected parts of the XS650 into a concentrated area...
I have been manifesting many thousands of dollars to appear. I will report back when this magic occurs, probably...
Several minutes of time was used up in collating the lists of parts to be purchased, parts to be installed, and processes to be completed for the re-assembly.
Since my last post, i have spent several hundred dollars on brake lines, caliper and master cylinder seal kits, a new manifold block for the '78 xs 400 (help split the cable length, 2 × 550mm hoses, and allows the brake sensor for the honda master cylinder to be hidden behind the headlight) because i like a 8"+ rise on my bars.
So, on the way from some warehouse in HK are hoses for my "80 XS653, and the "78XS250 (400).
Today (melb cup day- tues 4/11/25) was wasted shopping for tyres that might fit either bike. Prices range from $125 for shinko's to $500 for Avon's or Michi's...
I just want some Dunlop's. They are terrible, have great grip on terrible Blacktop, they are meaty, they have aggressive road noise, and last forever. Best thing is, in the mud, black ice, loose surfaces and worse, they grip. I have survivor bias for the classic style tyres as they have been affordable and dependable. I treat them like garbage, and they grip when they are pushed.
So money will determine which set of tyres end up on the hoops.
I have to order a bunch of bearing kits (6 sets of wheel bearings, a roller conv. For the xs and a neck set or two) some sprockets and chain, some fuel filters and that's enough for now.
When i get through all of that, the bike will likely be on it's own wheels, and i will be struggling with other issues.
Until Next Time;
Enjoy the mess i have created!
Attachments
Bleeding front brake after the change to a shorter hose. Have to say, it takes a special kind of genius to build a vacuum brake bleeder where the seal on the plastic cup is destroyed by contact with brake fluid.
Chinese manufacturing, taking over the world. Cars, bikes and now aircraft. I worry, I really do.
Temporary fix with tape as shown below, didn't work. Resorted to old fashioned manual bleeding
Chinese manufacturing, taking over the world. Cars, bikes and now aircraft. I worry, I really do.
Temporary fix with tape as shown below, didn't work. Resorted to old fashioned manual bleeding
No pics but replaced petcock seal; drained carbs; fresh gas with 2 stroke oil; oiled cylinders; removed mirrors then shoe horned the bike into its’ cold winter season resting place. It won’t see the light of day until next April
. Now I need to do the final shuffle in the garage to facilitate winter work.
. Now I need to do the final shuffle in the garage to facilitate winter work.
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gunk
XS650 Addict
Have you tried using self sealing tape with the double sided adhesive?Bleeding front brake after the change to a shorter hose. Have to say, it takes a special kind of genius to build a vacuum brake bleeder where the seal on the plastic cup is destroyed by contact with brake fluid.
Chinese manufacturing, taking over the world. Cars, bikes and now aircraft. I worry, I really do.
Temporary fix with tape as shown below, didn't work. Resorted to old fashioned manual bleeding
View attachment 360715
festerandolini
XS650 Member
Used the vacuum sucker to drain the old fuel out of the fuel tank. Need to replace the petcock gaskets etc
Thanks for the suggestion. I have ordered some O rings that I think will work. It's a bit hard to explain but the lid fits on with some slightly wedge shaped lugs that tighten as you twist the lid on and the seal fits in a shallow moulded groove. I think a 43 x 1.6mm O ring will solve the problem.
