Topic: The Lost Socket Garage

[Gurp]

Great bike!!

[Scott S]

 The XS ended up getting a full carb rebuild. I had to pull them to replace a fuel line and that's when I noticed that the fuel Tee was extremely loose (and would have leaked) and the slides were stuck. The slides freed right up...just old varnish....but the Tee was replaced with a billet unit.
 Took the opportunity to replace the diaphragms, some gaskets, O-rings, etc.

[Scott S]

 Got it back together and went to fire it up. First thing I noticed was that the starter button quit working. That turned out to be a broken wire. Multiple attempts to solder it back on failed, so I ordered a new RH control.
 I ended up having to run a dedicated ground wire, but now I have a working starter.
 Kick started the bike and she fired to life on about the 5th kick. Ran, idled and revved.... and then died.

 Long story short, the TCI unit has died. There is a "Gonzo" replacement unit, where you can use a Suzuki GN250 CDI and a modified pig tail. I have those parts on the way.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/gonzo-diy-tci-system.57694/

[grcamna2]

Got it back together and went to fire it up. First thing I noticed was that the starter button quit working. That turned out to be a broken wire. Multiple attempts to solder it back on failed, so I ordered a new RH control.
 I ended up having to run a dedicated ground wire, but now I have a working starter.
 Kick started the bike and she fired to life on about the 5th kick. Ran, idled and revved.... and then died.

 Long story short, the TCI unit has died. There is a "Gonzo" replacement unit, where you can use a Suzuki GN250 CDI and a modified pig tail. I have those parts on the way.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/gonzo-diy-tci-system.57694/

Sounds good Scott.
How's the CB500 coming along ?

[Scott S]

 The 500 is waiting its turn. When I finish the XS.

[Scott S]

 Running pretty darn good now that I rebuilt the carbs and replaced the TCI with the Gonzo CDI.
 For the life of me, I can't get either of the drain plugs loose to do an oil change. Might have to break down and take it to the shop for the first one.

[grcamna2]

Running pretty darn good now that I rebuilt the carbs and replaced the TCI with the Gonzo CDI.
 For the life of me, I can't get either of the drain plugs loose to do an oil change. Might have to break down and take it to the shop for the first one.

That's looking good Scott;did you change something on the exhaust ?
The drain plugs,can they be removed by leaning the bike way over,then attaching a tight fitting socket and use an air impact?

[Gurp]

My XS is driving me nuts. Let my buddy out it together to ride. He got it together and started.
Have been going back and fixing his electrical work. Can't get these carbs tuned in as easily as I remember.
It will start and idle high. Floods when it's near the right RPM then is hard to start. After it floods twice it won't restart.
Kick only. Lol.
It's what I get for have pods and a open exhaust.

[Scott S]

 As much as the SOHC4's hate pods, I've never had an issue running them on the XS650 CV carbs.
 Mine could use a little tweaking on the mixture screws and, of course, I can't access them with the tank on.

 Bill...no, exhaust is the same one that came with it.

 I'm sure I can get the drain plug(s) loose... I just need an extra set of hands.

[grcamna2]

As much as the SOHC4's hate pods, I've never had an issue running them on the XS650 CV carbs.
 Mine could use a little tweaking on the mixture screws and, of course, I can access them with the tank on.

 Bill...no, exhaust is the same one that came with it.

 I'm sure I can get the drain plug(s) loose... I just need an extra set of hands.

Scott,do you need any Yamaha factory oil filter strainers? I have a few OEM ones that are sitting in my parts supply,still in packages.

[Scott S]

As much as the SOHC4's hate pods, I've never had an issue running them on the XS650 CV carbs.
 Mine could use a little tweaking on the mixture screws and, of course, I can access them with the tank on.

 Bill...no, exhaust is the same one that came with it.

 I'm sure I can get the drain plug(s) loose... I just need an extra set of hands.

Scott,do you need any Yamaha factory oil filter strainers? I have a few OEM ones that are sitting in my parts supply,still in packages.

 Spares are always good. You talking about the small upper strainer? Or the sump strainer? Both can be cleaned and reused on the XS. I haven't even pulled one yet.

[grcamna2]

As much as the SOHC4's hate pods, I've never had an issue running them on the XS650 CV carbs.
 Mine could use a little tweaking on the mixture screws and, of course, I can access them with the tank on.

 Bill...no, exhaust is the same one that came with it.

 I'm sure I can get the drain plug(s) loose... I just need an extra set of hands.

Scott,do you need any Yamaha factory oil filter strainers? I have a few OEM ones that are sitting in my parts supply,still in packages.

 Spares are always good. You talking about the small upper strainer? Or the sump strainer? Both can be cleaned and reused on the XS. I haven't even pulled one yet.

The upper brass filter/screens and the lower sump:I have 4) of the upper round brass filters,new.

[Gurp]

As much as the SOHC4's hate pods, I've never had an issue running them on the XS650 CV carbs.
 Mine could use a little tweaking on the mixture screws and, of course, I can't access them with the tank on.

 Bill...no, exhaust is the same one that came with it.

 I'm sure I can get the drain plug(s) loose... I just need an extra set of hands.

Ironically I'm having the opposite. Never had a issue on a 500/550 with pods tuning them to ride. This XS though is gonna make me pull my hair out.
If it doesn't rain today it going to put the starter in the Diesel and try to tune on the XS.

[Scott S]

I ended up selling this bike to my friend. He fiddled with it while he was healing from his moto accident and got it running, but tuning the carbs was being a PITA, so he installed some flat slides.
On the dyno, it made 86 RWHP and 45 lb/ft TQ. He said, in his experience, on his dyno, that's well over 95 HP at the crank. He believes there's more in it with some more jetting changes. He's also upgraded the ignition since then. He said the slotted timing adjuster made a difference in the mid-range.

He also commented that the suspension is really dialed in, which means a lot since my dad and I did it all at home with string and a plumb-bob. I always thought the swingarm was too long, but he says it's the same wheelbase as many Ducatis he works on. He also said it lifts the front wheel easily in 1st and 2nd gear!

I made him promise to give me first refusal if he decides to sell it.

[grcamna2]

The bike turned out good after fine tuning and fresh carbs 

Can you tell me what you mean by 'first refusal if he decides to sell it' ?
You sold it to him?  For you to buy it back?

[Kelly E]

I ended up selling this bike to my friend. He fiddled with it while he was healing from his moto accident and got it running, but tuning the carbs was being a PITA, so he installed some flat slides.
On the dyno, it made 86 RWHP and 45 lb/ft TQ. He said, in his experience, on his dyno, that's well over 95 HP at the crank. He believes there's more in it with some more jetting changes. He's also upgraded the ignition since then. He said the slotted timing adjuster made a difference in the mid-range.

He also commented that the suspension is really dialed in, which means a lot since my dad and I did it all at home with string and a plumb-bob. I always thought the swingarm was too long, but he says it's the same wheelbase as many Ducatis he works on. He also said it lifts the front wheel easily in 1st and 2nd gear!

I made him promise to give me first refusal if he decides to sell it.

That's a nice conversion. I've always liked the close, thin aircraft style cooling fins on the GSXR motors. We've installed two sets of flatslide carbs, RS 34's on the KZ 1000 and RS 36's on the GS 1100 with good results on both bikes.

[seanbarney41]

Forgive me but what size oil boiler was that?  750cc?

[Scott S]

Forgive me but what size oil boiler was that?  750cc?

 Yes, from a Katana 750. I can’t remember the year, off the top of my head.

[seanbarney41]

Forgive me but what size oil boiler was that?  750cc?

 Yes, from a Katana 750. I can’t remember the year, off the top of my head.

Nice!...no shortage of part out quality Katana's layin' around my neck of the woods!