XS650 Appresh

[limeymike]

Originally Posted by Garbln

Yes I put the kit in myself. It was a Mike's XS setup with new cyls, pistons, rings, etc. Nothing particularly difficult, however I've built engines before so I speak for myself only. The engine must come out of the frame, you can get the cam off the head without breaking the cam chain. I like to keep all parts I pull off in order so they go back in the same place. This means all rocker arms, bearings, etc. go back in the exact place they came from. Instead of using the rubber coated washers under the head nuts I used the brass ones. When installing the top cover over the rockers and cam there is no gasket. You must clean the mating surfaces completely and degrease them, I used acetone. Then smear a very thin coat of "Yamabond" or as I used "3 bond" on each surface and put it all together and torque it all to spec. After you run it for a tank or two of gas re torque the head again, after another few hundred mi check the torque again. Doing the re torque a couple of times is a pain but is worth the trouble, I have no leaks in mine.

Good luck!

Thanks Garbln. We work in much the same way regarding keeping the order of things. This will most likely be a winter project once the snow starts blowing.

[redfishguide]

Thanks for the photos. I have some specific questions about your mounts to the frame and if you used sub frames. I could pm your so as not to tie up "Greyghosts" excellent thread.

Jack

Originally Posted by MightyChosen1

No build thread. I took an old unloved $400 XS and bolted it to a beat up old Velorex. It pretty much lives outside and has never been washed since I built it.

Some pics here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1024136...562779/Sidecar

[2manyrides]

Baza certainly keeps it going, hugh?
It's buffaloborn that started all this xs650 crazyness.

So after my buddies crash, with rods in his arm indefinetly, tired of being off work, lots of time to think.
He has decided he wants to "cash out" of the XS650 ownership. Basicly he's saying he wants to narrow down to his drz which he thinks can do all he wants to do. Although he isn't price gouging at 600 bucks and is loosing money.
(I sold it to him for 300) I'm not in the position to buy it back right now.
And he can wait until I can. I don't need another runner, or to loose more money,
(I bought it for 450), but I hate to see what was all my best spares go off and away for good. So my plan if things don't change economicaly in the future is to get it home, put the motor that belongs in it, back in,
(I ran that 78 motor in my 77 for 20,000 and 10 years) put on some of the crappier parts I have, save the best for my spares again.
I'd be leaving the 78 tins on. I'd keep his wheels with new tires/rotor, put on used up stuff. Keep the leather covered seat, put on an old funky covered one. Ect, ect.
And there you go, a matching numbers current titled 1978 xs650E !!!
Ask 1,000 and go down to 600 if my price is not met. Then give him 600.

We were having such a great time riding together then he went down...
When your dualing past each other with same bikes it sounds so neat to hear the exhaust notes/reverbarations.

Pre crash...on a twin 650 ride. Edwards Crossing...



Post crash...@ crash site. Silver Fork Road...



Not so bad hugh? Crunched the front fender, (it was off a special anyway), bent the left footpeg badly, Bent instrument cluster bracket, trashed the speedo and bucket, bent beyond salvage fork ear, scraped the chrome headlight ring. The pipes never touched!

He got more lasting damage than the bike! I still have the sight of him going down imprinted on the back side of my eyeballs! After clearing the massive pothole I looked back to see his magnetic tankbag, him, bike, in midair. The bike slid about 10 foot. He rode it home though with the broken arm!

[ThomasVolomitz]

Man, those are some sweet looking 650's!!!

[2manyrides]

They have their patina...

Sure they are SWEEET from 10 foot and beyond.
Sweet is Garbin's black 77 a few posts back.

See post 1017 for the latest reprint of his bike in the XS650 Appresh thread!

[motomike14]

Originally Posted by Garbln

Yes I put the kit in myself. It was a Mike's XS setup with new cyls, pistons, rings, etc. Nothing particularly difficult, however I've built engines before so I speak for myself only. The engine must come out of the frame, you can get the cam off the head without breaking the cam chain. I like to keep all parts I pull off in order so they go back in the same place. This means all rocker arms, bearings, etc. go back in the exact place they came from. Instead of using the rubber coated washers under the head nuts I used the brass ones. When installing the top cover over the rockers and cam there is no gasket. You must clean the mating surfaces completely and degrease them, I used acetone. Then smear a very thin coat of "Yamabond" or as I used "3 bond" on each surface and put it all together and torque it all to spec. After you run it for a tank or two of gas re torque the head again, after another few hundred mi check the torque again. Doing the re torque a couple of times is a pain but is worth the trouble, I have no leaks in mine.

Good luck!

Very nice setup. Although, I will say one thing; I have a 750 Shell Thuett kit in my 650, and run twin-34mm-Mikunis. Huge difference. Those stock carbs aren't allowing you to get the full experience.

[hunter_greyghost]

Just been farting around with 'Kenny', thinking of how to update his exhaust system,
probably do a similiar set of pipes - just a more free flowing
Cheers
Baza

[hunter_greyghost]

Originally Posted by motomike14

Very nice setup. Although, I will say one thing; I have a 750 Shell Thuett kit in my 650, and run twin-34mm-Mikunis. Huge difference. Those stock carbs aren't allowing you to get the full experience.

Have you tried these manifold extensions with your 34mm Mikunis, motomike14 ?
Certainly bump up lower end grunt, great for when you are doing hillclimbs, etc.
Cheers
Baza

[ThomasVolomitz]

Another beautiful day in Ohio for XS riding.

[hunter_greyghost]

Originally Posted by ThomasVolomitz

Another beautiful day in Ohio for XS riding.

What year model is that beast?
the double disc mounts have me interested
Cheers
Baza

[2manyrides]

If I remember correctly it's a 75, but He might chime in with 74 or 76.

When you mentioned dual disc I glanced at the pic and noticed the left leg is 180 out of position!
But you know...I don't think it makes any difference if you don't have a brake there.

[ThomasVolomitz]

It's a 75. Had the black and gold tank.

[2manyrides]

Originally Posted by ThomasVolomitz

It's a 75. Had the black and gold tank.

Right, I remember the previous colors from 20 pages or so back.
For me the 3 year span "giveaway" is the fender stays. But some how I remembered it was a 75.

In 82 when I bought my 77, I had test driven a 75 for sale. But it had clicking top end. It was cheaper but didn't fit the 5 year old parameter of my lending agent. I had to buy 77 or newer at the time to buy it on credit.
Purchase price 950...
I took the whole 5 years to pay it off! Back then I used to ride to their office each month to make a payment.Hey don't laugh, she's paid for!

[motomike14]

Originally Posted by hunter_greyghost

Have you tried these manifold extensions with your 34mm Mikunis, motomike14 ?
Certainly bump up lower end grunt, great for when you are doing hillclimbs, etc.
Cheers
Baza

I don't have those exact sets, but I do have extended manifold taken from a friends former mile dirt tracker. Same lengths, but a little more "homemade," if you will.

[hunter_greyghost]

Thought I'd just post this photo from March this year, DR & GS riders love chasing my old 'Kenny' out in the bush, & when I come undone never let me forget it!
Organising another of my rides soon, hopefully without getting myself in the shit again!
Cheers
Baza