What have you done to your XS today?

[atom4488]

Who me spout???
LOL
Yeah literally they are very efficient extractors mebby too efficient for the XS650 head valve cam

@gggGary, interesting comment that I don't quite understand the technical implications of. Are you suggesting that the very efficient extraction is sucking unburnt air/fuel mixture during the valve overlap period, resulting in a less-than-full cylinder charge making the charge lean? If so, would you not see that on a high-speed plug cut...or even feel it as reduced performance?
My understanding of header design in general is that the object of the game is efficient extraction of burnt charge. If a little unburnt charge gets pulled form the cylinder as a result of that efficiency, that's just part of the cost of performance.
Interested in further input on the subject, as I have two such 2-into-1 systems that seem okay.

 

[Dio77]

Thanks. Yeah they got here fast.

I really like the way the red lenses came out as well. Slimmed it down quite a bit

 

[bazz]

No it's running 2into 2 downpipes into 2 cocktail shakers
Bs34 carbs with pod filters
Plugs come out a perfect colour and no signs of pre ignition
It's running Boyer ignition
The left cylinder is running fine

I picked a really good set of barrels and pistons today so the rebuild will begin soon
Here's the damage I've found

 

[bazz]

I picked a really good set of barrels and pistons today so the rebuild will begin soon
Here's the damage I've found

And this is how it was running after it went pop
A bit too lean??

 

[gggGary]

Yeah those valves look like they've been running pretty warm. What valve lash you using?

 

[Jan_P]

Dont know much about carburetors but I have never had so pale / white plugs in 40 years
Mine have always been on the black side bare long higher speed runs warm days turning more Brown
To me it looks to lean and both to lean

 

[bazz]

Yeah those valves look like they've been running pretty warm. What valve lash you using?

3thou in 6 out

 

[Pat D]

So, thanks to the sharp eyes of DogBunny and Willis's memory, I now have a presentable dash plate overlay. I would have never noticed my bike had RD gauges on it. Also, when I had my timing mishap a few days ago, I got the setting a little too advanced. Noticed the bike was a little more energetic and figured I'd advanced it a bit, but it wasn't until I tried to kick it I realized it was "too much". Got it spot on now. No idea what my front fender came off of, but it ain't right for this bike. Still works, though.

 

[Jim]

No idea what my front fender came off of, but it ain't right for this bike. Still works, though.

What size tire is that?

 

[Pat D]

What size tire is that?

3.50x19, I think that's OEM or equivalent.

 

[John Regular]

Since I had discovered that the motor in my new 81 (Ruby) needed a new cam chain guide therefore a top end job, I decided to tear into a spare motor that i picked up a while back instead of pulling the other one. I've never opened one up before and since it was already out and on a stand I figured I would assess it's condition hoping it would be better. First glance at the oil told me it would be not. The filters looked like this I'm pretty certain that this one is in much worse condition than Ruby is. I'm going to name it Mallory even though it's not in a motorcycle yet. I name all my vehicles.I had read the tech threads and watched a bunch of Nightflyer's videos so I started taking pieces off but realized that if I pulled the head off in the carport and left it that rust would probably develop overnight. Now I am in the process of doing a task that I have been putting off for years. cleaning and organizing the garage to make room. For a guy who is disorganized and easily distracted this will be quite a feat. Like a giant game of Tetris but in all directions. total chaos but who knows what I'll find Wish me luck.

 

[bazz]

View attachment 369146
I can't tell what's going on in your pics. This is what cam chain guides look like. The thin black part on top is nylon, and the cam chain rides on it. When it becomes very worn, strips of it like what you found on your sump get torn off. Then the cam chain rides on aluminum, producing flakes like you found on your side filter.

View attachment 369147
This is how it mounts. The two bolts #27...

View attachment 369148
... pass through the holders, part #11. On the front of the engine, behind the oil delivery pipe. Most, but not all, of the guide is inside the cylinder casting, between the two cylinders.

Excellent information
I have now done this so hopefully any other top end problems can be delt with, with the engine in the frame

 

[Dunc]

Getting the Street Tracker together after fixing a camshaft issue. A few more jobs & then paint.

 

[Dunc]

Next patient please!

 

[Its been a long time]

Life is seriously getting in the way of anything connected to the 650 at the moment. But I bought a NOS tacho cup off eBay to replace the one I have. The one fitted was dented and I did my best to knock the dent out, not perfect though. Trouble is, the bike is looking very good now so small details like that are letting it down a bit really.

 

[Raymond]

. . . Trouble is, the bike is looking very good now so small details like that are letting it down a bit really. . .

Oh dear . . . try riding it more to get it a bit scruffy again?

 

[DogBunny]

No idea what my front fender came off of, but it ain't right for this bike. Still works, though.

That's a 1973-1975 RD250/350 front fender, exactly the same as your gauges. Makes me wonder if maybe your whole front end is RD. I wonder if that fender fits a TX/XS650. Would be great info if it does. I have that fender, and I'll be receiving 74-76 TX/XS650 forks next month, so maybe I'll test it.

 

[atom4488]

Next patient please!

@Dunc, is that seat/tailpiece a Gopher Glass piece for a Champion frame? If not who is the manufacturer/source? Thanks in advance for a reply!

 

[Dunc]

@Dunc, is that seat/tailpiece a Gopher Glass piece for a Champion frame? If not who is the manufacturer/source? Thanks in advance for a reply!

Not sure where it's from. The PO cut the rear section of the frame into bits & threw them away. Not sure if I leave it on or try to return it to near stock. It does look different to most seats though. I've also got an un-used fibreglass fuel tank that it came with that looks like a Gopher Glass one.

 

[atom4488]

Not sure where it's from. The PO cut the rear section of the frame into bits & threw them away. Not sure if I leave it on or try to return it to near stock. It does look different to most seats though. I've also got an un-used fibreglass fuel tank that it came with that looks like a Gopher Glass one.

If I may, that's by far the nicest flat-track tailpiece IMO and for that reason, I'd vote to keep it!