Author Topic: XS650 Gentleman's Express (Read 10686 times)

Scott S · « **Reply #25 on:** November 03, 2012, 06:12:48 PM »

And got the engine installed today. Swapped over the Pamco (still have to connect the wires) and installed the carbs.
Just have to put on the air filters, breather and exhaust. I still need to put the electric starter on, too. I plan on cleaning up the windings first, though.

And speaking of breather....I picked up the parts the other day.

Stev-o · « **Reply #26 on:** November 04, 2012, 06:25:00 AM »

Motor looks great

Scott S · « **Reply #27 on:** November 04, 2012, 02:19:00 PM »

Breather system installed. I neatened it up and have it running closer to the battery box. Brake booster check valve and breather filter.

Scott S · « **Reply #28 on:** November 04, 2012, 02:56:19 PM »

Hmmm....what could these be? Pulled these out from under my bed where they've been in storage for a few years.

MikesXS Commando exhaust system.

Scott S · « **Reply #29 on:** November 04, 2012, 02:57:57 PM »

Got them installed today. Still have to line them up, make sure they're even, etc. Just need a couple of bolts for the rear hangers. These were for the '78-83 Specials and this bike is a '78 Standard, so the rear hanger hardware is a little different than what I have.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #30 on:** November 04, 2012, 05:18:10 PM »

Have a friend who has those on his 83 XS650. They sound great.

chung · « **Reply #31 on:** November 04, 2012, 09:17:13 PM »

Quote from: Scott S on October 20, 2012, 05:56:12 AM

Rear turn signals mounted. Only now did I realize that I mounted the front signals "upside down", with the screws showing. I'll have to go back and fix that.
A To anyone running these signals: Did you have to change the stock flasher?

I've used those blinkers before on several bikes. You Sir, have good taste

Mine all were aluminum and I never had any problems even on a CB450 Twin with very stiff suspension. The Honda flasher works, I use the $2 automotive flashers. They fit everything so keeping spares is easy.
But they will rattle apart if you don't insulate them from the frame/vibration. I wrap them in foam pipe insulation like you use on house plumbing.

Scott S · « **Reply #32 on:** November 05, 2012, 03:30:15 AM »

Wrap what in foam insulation? The signals themselves? The stock XS turn signals are rubber mounted (hey...it's a big twin. It vibrates. A lot.), so these are mounted using the XS grommets.

Scott S · « **Reply #33 on:** November 08, 2012, 12:41:50 PM »

She lives! The clutch is slipping. Wish I had checked that before adding oil but, Oh well. I have a stack of plates to pick through and I'll get that sorted. That, and a non-working hi-beam and tail light (brake light works....probably just the bulb), she's almost ready to ride again!

XS650

knowsnothing · « **Reply #34 on:** November 08, 2012, 02:42:13 PM »

Nice! Bike looks great Scott!

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #35 on:** November 08, 2012, 10:09:58 PM »

Sweet sounding bike. Still my favorite vintage Japanese bike.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #36 on:** November 08, 2012, 10:24:56 PM »

Very nice mate, I've had a soft spot for one of those since they were new. Maybe soon........

chung · « **Reply #37 on:** November 14, 2012, 02:13:58 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on November 05, 2012, 03:30:15 AM

Wrap what in foam insulation? The signals themselves? The stock XS turn signals are rubber mounted (hey...it's a big twin. It vibrates. A lot.), so these are mounted using the XS grommets.

Sorry for being slow to reply and being a little vague.The old automotive type turn signal flashers are round, about 1-1/2 x 1 inch or so. If they don't fit (or if you don't have) the stock mount then they are just hanging by the wires under the seat or sidecover and they get banged around and fail. So the relay get wrapped, not the lights

Scott S · « **Reply #38 on:** December 01, 2012, 03:44:58 PM »

Well, the clutch was "slipping" because of a busted up clutch basket! When Dad and I unloaded the replacement engine from the back of his truck, it took a slight tumble to the ground. We caught it, or so we thought, and it was a gentle lay-down.
Turns out we busted up the clutch basket. I'm really lucky that it didn't explode when I was riding it!
This one ear was bent and not allowing the plates to move. We tried moving it back knowing full well it would break....and it did.

It was until we removed the basket that we saw that the rear of the basket had a crack as well.

Pulled the basket from the other engine and installed new plates (even though the ones in the engine measured out perfectly fine....it was the damage to the basket causing the problem) and now it all works perfectly.

Scott S · « **Reply #39 on:** December 01, 2012, 03:49:06 PM »

I decide to keep the stock seat. Also installed the mirrors and swapped out the speedo for one with a working trip-meter. I also changed out the tach and speedo buckets for a couple of better units.
Traced the wiring problem for the tail light and fixed that. The high beam doesn't work because I never wired it up! Remember....when I first built this bike, I used the '78 harness and '75 controls, switches and gauges. I just never spliced in the wires for the high beam. On the To-Do list....just need to make time.

Here are some pics from today.

Scott S · « **Reply #40 on:** December 01, 2012, 03:50:51 PM »

I think I'm going to hold off on the fork brace and Brembo conversion for now. Plans are to get a tag and insurance and enjoy it as-is for a little while.

Stev-o · « **Reply #41 on:** December 01, 2012, 04:40:06 PM »

Looks nice. How's it running?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #42 on:** December 01, 2012, 08:44:18 PM »

That is a beautiful bike, I've never owned one, so I think I'll start looking. Cheers, Terry.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #43 on:** December 01, 2012, 08:53:36 PM »

It looks great! I've need to force myself to finish restoring my CJ360 so I can get on to my XS650.
It looks good but it sat for more than 10 years before I got it.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #44 on:** December 01, 2012, 09:24:07 PM »

Geez, that's a nice one too! I think I'm jealous, or at least, envious..........

Scott S · « **Reply #45 on:** December 02, 2012, 04:34:50 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on December 01, 2012, 04:40:06 PM

Looks nice. How's it running?

Runs great. As soon as I get it tagged and can put a few miles on it, I'll check the timing and synch the carbs. Not because of any issues....just because I haven't done it yet. They were both set static or on the bench.

Stev-o · « **Reply #46 on:** December 02, 2012, 06:55:55 AM »

Quote from: CycleRanger on December 01, 2012, 08:53:36 PM

I've need to force myself to finish restoring my CJ360 so I can get on to my XS650.
It looks good but it sat for more than 10 years before I got it.

Have you attempted start up yet?

CycleRanger · « **Reply #47 on:** December 02, 2012, 07:15:54 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on December 02, 2012, 06:55:55 AM

Quote from: CycleRanger on December 01, 2012, 08:53:36 PM
I've need to force myself to finish restoring my CJ360 so I can get on to my XS650.
It looks good but it sat for more than 10 years before I got it.

Have you attempted start up yet?

Nope, haven't really touched it. Just made sure it wasn't seized. The PO drained the tank and carbs when he parked it.
It sat covered in a garage from about 1999 until this year. It can sit a little longer.

Scott S · « **Reply #48 on:** May 11, 2013, 04:26:20 PM »

Some recent pics.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #49 on:** May 11, 2013, 05:18:43 PM »

Looks great mate, and better (in my opinion) than the one beside it in pic 1. Cheers, Terry.

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Author Topic: XS650 Gentleman's Express (Read 10686 times)