Buying an xs650 74

[dstrax]

So this 74 xs (actualy tx650a from what I understand) is for sale. I already talked to the guy and Im going to go see it during the weekend hopefully. Its about a 6 hour drive from here. I live in norway and the good ones are few and far apart.

Owner says it has new pistons, 4 years old, but not used much. and it has 36mm carbs

So what Im wondering is are there things I should look out for with this bike?

Tim

 

[bbillington]

I'd suggest you look at the FAQ over at xs650.com. There's a buyers guide over there as best I recall.

It has a juice clutch as well as those round slides, so it's fair to assume that the seller is an enthusiast; this can be both good and bad good luck!

 

[montessa172]

Plus 2 on the hydraulic clutch and and those carbies! Most of the 650 stuff is just common sense motorcycle things, make sure its stone cold when you get there ( he hasn't done any black majic to get it running ) Doesn't smoke, isn't leaking, revs out clean etc, etc.. There is a bunch of 650 specific forums with a lots info on them, is addition to the one bbillington mentioned there is 650central, 650garage, which has a shit ton of how tos.. I currently have two, one track bike and my street bike. I beat on my track bike like it owes me money and it starts up and keeps running every time, its a 79 and I have done nothing to the engine, ever, other than oil changes... Even if there is things wrong with it the aftermarket is huge - mikesxs for one, and there are a fair amount of parts still available from the dealerships.. Good luck, hope it works out!!

 

[dstrax]

Thanks for the tip about the FAQ, tons of good information on there.
seller told me he had planed to rephase the enigne, but the guy who was going he help him with the bike died so he lost intrest.
He dident say anything about the hydraulic clutch though, so Im not sure what to make of that.
Im going to take a look at it on saturday, So REALLY looking forward to that! It'll be my first proper two wheel project

I was wondering about the re boring, Is there any reason he would do it other than performance? and could that be bad in any way?

anyways, thanks for the help guys

 

[Wahoo650]

Ditto on Montessa' remarks. Also noticed the tank and seat appear to be from a later Special- not the standard, which is all that was available in '74. Also note that if you want to run dual discs a '76-77 caliper will flip around to the left side and mount no prob. My '76 has close to 30,000 on it now and I've never had to open the engine up. Runs great, other than a little oil seep from the head that started last year.

Some 650 specific Links:

http://xs650temp.proboards.com/index.cgi

http://www.mikesxs.net/

http://650central.com/

http://www.fidnet.com/~dlawson/yamaha650society/

http://www.650motorcycles.com/

Enjoy! Matt

 

[VonYinzer]

Like these fellas are saying, as long as its been mostly well taken care of, an XS is a pretty bulletproof machine. The hydraulic clutch is a common aftermarket upgrade. Basically, if it works it was done right. Just look for leaks in the system. As far as the later tank/seat, that's all bolt on and since you're here on DTT I'm assuming it won't be staying very long anyhow. Haha... The parts look to be in good condition though which is a plus as you can sell them off to fund the rest of the project.

Just looking at the pics I'd say the bike is pretty damned clean. If the price is right (I have no clue what the market is like in Norway obviously) I'd be all over it.

Good luck, and keep up posted.

 

[dstrax]

Wahoo650 thankyou so much for the links yea thats what I figured. Im fairly sertan the 74 was brown
According to the ad Its only run 23 000km(14.2915miles) So It should be good

VonYinzer Good to hear about the clutch. and about the seat Im probably riping that of first thing when i get it home.
Ive also been wondering about putting a CB tank on it, and getting some shorter exhaust pipes.

sadly I dont have anywhere to work where I live now, but after cristmas I might be moving closer to where my Dad lives, So then I will be able to use his tools and workspace
Price is a bit high, But Its not bad for Norway. And I did get some money from selling my cars(only have my Lada left)

Im planing on starting a Build log here when I get it home

Tim

 

[Innamorata 750]

Only issues I recall are in the starter gears and petcocks. There are parts available to upgrade these though.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

[crazypj]

That is not a 74?
Tank is 76~77, side panels 78~79 and don't fit a standard frame without welding some tabs on
Wheels look like they may be right though? (and tail light)
Front brake rotor is early type, later were one piece pressed from 7mm~8mm stainless plate
you should check frame numbers real careful
Major issue is 2nd/5th gear, the dogs can break off
The damper springs in clutch gear are a real common problem, feels like drive chain has 3"~4" of slack if you accelerate, roll off then on throttle

 

[montessa172]

I think it does appear to be a 74, follow the link http://www.mikesxs.net/pdf/XS_Model_ID_Chart.pdf.. As PJ stated though the engine and frame number won't lie, and will be painfully evident if they've been mucked with even if other things have been changed well.. there is a list of serial numbers by year in that pdf..

 

[crazypj]

It has late model rear footrest hangers

 

[montessa172]

I agree to disagree then.. You've more than likely seen and been around more of them than I have (not sarcasm), and i'm to stubborn to concede even when proven wrong anyways ... Sorry about derailing the thead a bit, but pay attention to the points that PJ's made, he knows his shit about these bikes.. Cheers

 

[crazypj]

Mikes XS says they used that footrest hanger 74 on so it may be a real early 74 import
79 up has single tap not dual taps Euro models also had at least one different tank that is also frame specific (4 + gal)
Brake rotor diameter can also be a giveaway, single and dual disc standards use different rotors (I like to use 2 larger diameter ones (can't have too much front brake ;D )
It may be stock tank?
77 seat would be too long to fit right though,it may be mounted wrong? (hinge on right side key on left)

 

[speedfourjoe]

It looks like a '74 with a '78-'79 Special model seat. Looks like a good bike!

 

[dstrax]

thanks for all the help guys made my day wen I saw all the replies

Ive been studying the pics of the bike closely and comparing with the pdf and from what i can see it looks like the tanks 74 or 75 judging by the filler cap.
and the side covers have a raised bit like the ones from 74-79.
so that looks to be all stock exept for the paint. But the guy said when I talked to him doday that it came in black aswell as brown and maybe red(tough he wasn't sure about the red). Might have been some thing they did in norway?

:edit:He did say he had painted this bike btw, forgot to mention this. and come to think of it He might have been confusing the black and red ones with other years :/edit:

same goes for the rear footrests. looks like the bike has those loops like in the midel pic, so thats 74 to 79 standard.
Judgin by all those things I think it look like the bike is stock 74 with a later seat or it might have been an option from the dealer?

He also said that he had mounted the juice clutch and that the rebore was just maintenance. Ill have to ask more about that when i go to get it i think.

and apperently Im getting loads of boxes with parts with the bike! ! so Im planning to sell of what im not going to use. With some luck this project might finance itself

Ill inspect the seat closely and check the numbers closely. oh and there where some problems with the starter, But im plaing on using the kickstart anyways. and apparently its only a few dollars to fix.

On another note, I think I might have infected my dad with this crazyness^^
He has a 56 BMW R26 in boxes thats he's had for over 30 years, And now it looks like we might asseble his bike alongside with my XS.

here are a few pic of what it looks like now

and hers a stock one, though were not going that route I think

Ill get him to start a build log on here as well, could get interesting