What have you done to your XS today?

[Pat D]

Here in MD it hit 80 degrees or better Tues/Wed. Decided to take a post-winter spin around the block. But, despite being on a battery tender since November, battery was done. So a simple battery replacement turned into a full detailing of the rear fender, plastic inner fender, repaint of the taillight mount (I tend to paint rusty chrome unless I'm doing a full on points accurate restoration), and a thorough cleaning/polishing/waxing. Just managed to get everything buttoned up and back together Wed. afternoon and got my ride in before it snowed next day.

 

[SolidGhost]

Nothing major but I traded for a set of 12” narrow center bars and thought…they’re cool but I don’t know if I love them…or feel like replacing my brake line and cables for them. So I got some low bars like my Triumph had. Of course they’re so low I’ll likely have to change my brake line and clutch cable anyway. I really like the look though and they’re in keeping with the sportier direction the bike is going. I also replaced the fuel lines. I just have to drop a battery in and adjust the carbs a bit and she’s pretty much ready to go.

 

[slantedpillow]

Looks like spring is about to sprung here in Manitoba Canada. Working with a few local teens through a "maker space" to get my 650 on the road this year. Nothing major, but the 12 years in the shed have been hard on it. New blinkers, bars, seat and gauges, nothing crazy but enough to teach a few teens some new skills. The most important piece is rewinding the damn rotor. Gotta send it to @Jim. The last time i rode it, it left me stranded with a dead battery, then it got parked. Yes, a voltmeter will be going on it.

 

[Jim]

The most important piece is rewinding the damn rotor from @Jim.

Just to clarify, are you saying a rotor I rewound failed you?

 

[slantedpillow]

Just to clarify, are you saying a rotor I rewound failed you?

No No, this was the original rotor from 83. What I meant is the most important part of the work is sending you my rotor to have it rewound. Bling is cool, but it doesn't mean a thing if your bike only runs for 40 minutes. I edited my original post for clarity

 

[Jim]

No No, this was the original rotor from 83. What I meant is the most important part of the work is sending you my rotor to have it rewound. Bling is cool, but it doesn't mean a thing if your bike only runs for 40 minutes. I edited my original post for clarity

 

[Jim]

No No, this was the original rotor from 83. What I meant is the most important part of the work is sending you my rotor to have it rewound. Bling is cool, but it doesn't mean a thing if your bike only runs for 40 minutes. I edited my original post for clarity

You can't start PM's yet. I'll send you one.

 

[350GUY]

Was on again off again about this, but finally decided to highlight the lettering on the brake caliper (originally painted the caliper silver and left the raised lettering raw)
View attachment 367916

Used this as a topcoat after a Sharpie paint pen.
View attachment 367917

Hi Wade - That Brembo caliper looks tops. Did you fab up the caliper clamp/bracket or is this available of the shelf? Mind sharing a complete pic of your front set up? Thank you Sir.

 

[Wagner73]

Hi Wade - That Brembo caliper looks tops. Did you fab up the caliper clamp/bracket or is this available of the shelf? Mind sharing a complete pic of your front set up? Thank you Sir.

Pics below. Master is a 12.7 mm from MikesXS, Yamaha-spec (left-hand mirror thread); single braided line (no junction block) is from Speigler; Brembo P4 caliper with EBC pads; disc is stock, drilled and resurfaced by Truedisk; mounting hardware is off-the-shelf by Pandemonium Choppers. He supplies the adapter plate, rotor spacer and fasteners, along with modification instructions for the caliper. Only drawback - IMHO only - is that the plates are MS that you have to finish, and the fasteners/threads are 3/8-24...in a perfect world I would've preferred SS and 10 mm threads. FYI, I painted and installed the adapter as supplied; you may be able to find a posting by @Chet Ironhorse where he used the same kit but radiused the plate...I think it looks a little better like that.

 

[350GUY]

Thank you so much Wade for sharing this info. The Brembo set-up really looks clean. I am will look at adapting the same. Truedisk is tops. Their service is great.

 

[Jan_P]

Serviced the carburetors BS 34 .. re jetted .. cleaned
to Stock Air jet and 42.5 Pilot 132.5 Main
I have suspected to rich Pilot at 40 .and was planning go down 37.5
But did not have in house
So installed stock size .. If the wrong direction I can order later go Down when the Carburetors are installed ..
Good weather so can happen today

Need to install more fuses finding a short somewhere
And get the Rev counter Working so not the Oil Pump is not turning ..

 

[Wagner73]

Thank you so much Wade for sharing this info. The Brembo set-up really looks clean. I am will look at adapting the same. Truedisk is tops. Their service is great.

BTW, Pandemonium supplies nice SS SHCS fasteners, but I chose to replace those with SS HHCS hardware for just personal preference in this case i.e. to match all the other hex hardware...I feel like sometimes we - me included - get all too "socket-heady" on these old bikes. I know, just a stupid fixation...

 

[Dunc]

Just fitted new oil tube, 4 x m8 head bolts & a Heiden breather valve.

 

[Ratranger]

So the RS style carbs are a pain to sync, last year I synced them with manual gauges. This year I bought a digisync, and it's way better. I thought they were close, but the digisync showed the left carb at 67kpa and the right at 40. The idle very noticeably smoothed out when I adjusted things. They are within 2kpa now.

 

[350GUY]

BTW, Pandemonium supplies nice SS SHCS fasteners, but I chose to replace those with SS HHCS hardware for just personal preference in this case i.e. to match all the other hex hardware...I feel like sometimes we - me included - get all too "socket-heady" on these old bikes. I know, just a stupid fixation...

You have good taste, Wade. Even the paint scheme is tops.

 

[Chet Ironhorse]

Got the engine stuck into the '78 for Dad with fresh exhaust mocked up.

 

[Dunc]

They should slow it down a bit!

 

[onkelheri]

What kind of Frame do you use? The Fork....it looks a little straight and rough weldet

 

[Dunc]

What kind of Frame do you use? The Fork....it looks a little straight and rough weldet

The front end is leaning against the engine stand off my work bench. I've ordered a frame from Wasp Motorcycles & waiting for them to build it.

 

[Its been a long time]

The front end is leaning against the engine stand off my work bench. I've ordered a frame from Wasp Motorcycles & waiting for them to build it.

Looking forward to reading about the XS650 Metisse build.