xs650 buying guide, what should ya watch/look for

[danejurrous]

I have had my eye out for the last while on a bike that would fit for a bobber build, since I intend to have a few different bikes of varying styles. I have searched around the site looking into a few different things seeing what others have done to them from the hard tail bobbers, brats, cafe bikes, rephasing the motor, boring them out etc...

I had a buddy approach me a week ago about him selling his bike and wanted some help, since I am into motorcycles and such, surprising it was essentially what I am looking for a 1979 Yamaha xs650 special ll. All original wire wheels disk brake front and drum rear he says its not seized and has compression but needed a carb clean and tune up but he is not mechanically inclined so never did anything about it and has been sitting in a garage for the last 10 years.

Mainly what I am asking is what are some things to watch out for when looking at it.

 

[bradj]

There is like ten different wiring diagrams. my bike is a 78 with points and seperate reg rec, per yamaha it doesnt exist. a 76 diagram was the closest thing i could find. long story short with the help of a few members. i built a harness and replace a few metal screws with plastic ones to finally make it work. If i built another one i would write off the electrical system right off the bat and replace with everything with modern gizmos & a simple harness.

 

[VonYinzer]

If it has compression and lower (say... under 20k) miles, buy it. The XS motor is a bit of a jackhammer so look for any visible cracks around motor mounts (unlikely). Basically, look for the same stuff you'd look for on any other bike. The 650 is a pretty simplenand straightforward bike. If the RD is a switchblade, the XS is a baseball bat. Both get the job done, just in very different ways.

As Brad said, ditch the stock harness. There are a million custom diagrams that'll work for you online.

 

[DesmoBro]

Just Get it

 

[danejurrous]

Thanks for the info guys I have read they are pretty reliable motor for the most part. Yinz the bike has 22000 miles on it and I should be getting to look at it this weekend to inspect the bike for frame issues and stuff like that.

Would 22K be somewhat high mileage for that motor?

 

[sasquach]

What kind of money is he talking ? If your just gonna chop it anyhow just buy it if he isn't high on the price

 

[Kanticoy]

There is like ten different wiring diagrams. my bike is a 78 with points and seperate reg rec, per yamaha it doesnt exist. a 76 diagram was the closest thing i could find. long story short with the help of a few members. i built a harness and replace a few metal screws with plastic ones to finally make it work. If i built another one i would write off the electrical system right off the bat and replace with everything with modern gizmos & a simple harness.

I just wanted to tell you how much of your pain I feel. I just wired Jared's XS from the bottom up using a stock harness from Mike's, a Honda solid state reg/rec, A Mike's coil, chinese DCC switches, and non stock tail lights and turns. It was nightmarish. There is so much redundancy in those harnesses it's comical! WTF Yamaha?

 

[VonYinzer]

Thanks for the info guys I have read they are pretty reliable motor for the most part. Yinz the bike has 22000 miles on it and I should be getting to look at it this weekend to inspect the bike for frame issues and stuff like that.

Would 22K be somewhat high mileage for that motor?

If it was well cared for, no. The XS motor is more... Industrial in nature than many others of the time. Its a very solid and strong lump.Take care of them and they last for a looooong time.

 

[Wahoo650]

Bought my '76 650C out of a shed 13 years ago. Never split the cases or pulled the head. It's got 25,000+ on it now and is just starting to weep a little from the front of the head/block. I put an electronic ignition on it 10 years ago and haven't had to adjust timing since. Runs like a train... and vibrates like a jack hammer. But it's a blast to ride. If the price is right buy it. Parts and knowledge are plentiful.