XS650 Project Black Beauty --- On The Road Yet???
- Thread starter leggers
- Start date
leggers
Active Member
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
Right. No rephasing here. I nor have the money or desire with this being my first real project. My budget is tight and I would like to put a little more money into cosmetics. I did consider doing the rephase, but I think that might be something for a future bike. :
Just a straight stock build for this one...
Had some time tonight to work a little on the pistons. From the image you can see the cleaned version on the left and the uncleaned on the right. I will inspect the rings and their gap and clearance in the cylinders after they are cleaned.
I don't have access to a ultrasonic cleaner or a parts cleaner, so I am using Simple Green. Its a great method for cleaning carbon deposits from the head of the piston, have a look:
How to clean a piston the "Green" way
my94f2 said:
Right. No rephasing here. I nor have the money or desire with this being my first real project. My budget is tight and I would like to put a little more money into cosmetics. I did consider doing the rephase, but I think that might be something for a future bike. :
Just a straight stock build for this one...Had some time tonight to work a little on the pistons. From the image you can see the cleaned version on the left and the uncleaned on the right. I will inspect the rings and their gap and clearance in the cylinders after they are cleaned.
I don't have access to a ultrasonic cleaner or a parts cleaner, so I am using Simple Green. Its a great method for cleaning carbon deposits from the head of the piston, have a look:
How to clean a piston the "Green" way
Useful Idiot
Been Around the Block
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
Nice work.
(what do you edit the vids with?)
Nice work.
(what do you edit the vids with?)
xulf13
West of Tennessee
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
Nice update leggers. I could have done the same with mine and gotten away with just new rings and a honing. But I was expecting the worse and ordered over sized pistons, valves, rings, seals, washers, gaskets. In other words, my fridge was empty for a while. How much longer till you're finished with yours? I'm done with mine now, but I did not do the bottom half like you did. It's been a learning experince for me as well. I'm glad it's almost over. Today the engine goes back in the frame.
Nice update leggers. I could have done the same with mine and gotten away with just new rings and a honing. But I was expecting the worse and ordered over sized pistons, valves, rings, seals, washers, gaskets. In other words, my fridge was empty for a while. How much longer till you're finished with yours? I'm done with mine now, but I did not do the bottom half like you did. It's been a learning experince for me as well. I'm glad it's almost over. Today the engine goes back in the frame.
leggers
Active Member
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
I've been using Adobe Premiere when I say something stupid on camera.
Gongrats! I wish I could say I am moving at a similar pace. My project seems to be going a little slower, but I have consistantly been getting time in the garage at least once a week. I'll try to keep it that way, right now I'm waiting on getting my piston rings in the mail, but the cylinders are honed, and painted to my liking...
I've been working on the kickstart and clutch while waiting on the piston rings:
The kickstart was an easy install. I read on another forum of someone winding the spring up using a zip tie. I used a piece of rope and now its working correctly.
The clutch however gave me some bad news as I was checking it with the digital calipers:
The accepted tolerance for clutch plates are in the range of 3.5mm to 3.1mm only a 0.122 difference and my plates are averaging 2.85 (not good). Somebody was riding this clutch hard...
Useful Idiot said:
I've been using Adobe Premiere when I say something stupid on camera.
xulf13 said:
Gongrats! I wish I could say I am moving at a similar pace. My project seems to be going a little slower, but I have consistantly been getting time in the garage at least once a week. I'll try to keep it that way, right now I'm waiting on getting my piston rings in the mail, but the cylinders are honed, and painted to my liking...
I've been working on the kickstart and clutch while waiting on the piston rings:
The kickstart was an easy install. I read on another forum of someone winding the spring up using a zip tie. I used a piece of rope and now its working correctly.
The clutch however gave me some bad news as I was checking it with the digital calipers:
The accepted tolerance for clutch plates are in the range of 3.5mm to 3.1mm only a 0.122 difference and my plates are averaging 2.85 (not good). Somebody was riding this clutch hard...
leggers
Active Member
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
Thank you for bringing that up! I'm thinking about performance plates, but wtf is the difference between stock and "performance" plates? I've seen these on Mikes XS but no description on why they are better besides a $2.50 price increase?
http://www.mikesxs.net/products-22.html#products
ProSimex said:
Thank you for bringing that up! I'm thinking about performance plates, but wtf is the difference between stock and "performance" plates? I've seen these on Mikes XS but no description on why they are better besides a $2.50 price increase?
http://www.mikesxs.net/products-22.html#products
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
I'd skip the performance plates. I installed a Ferodo racing clutch in my XS (1978 engine) and while it hooks up like MAD, it makes some oddball noises when it's cool, while engaging.
Have a look at your clutch worm-gear mechanism too. I had a really short version which made the clutch pull unbearable. I actually broke a brand-new heavy clutch cable (I clearly have Popeye forearms, at least the left).
Replaced it with the kit from MikesXS and voila - nice smooth clutch. Replace the thrust bearing in your clutch too, and make sure the surfaces in the basket where the tabs on the plates go are nice and smooth.
I'd skip the performance plates. I installed a Ferodo racing clutch in my XS (1978 engine) and while it hooks up like MAD, it makes some oddball noises when it's cool, while engaging.
Have a look at your clutch worm-gear mechanism too. I had a really short version which made the clutch pull unbearable. I actually broke a brand-new heavy clutch cable (I clearly have Popeye forearms, at least the left).
Replaced it with the kit from MikesXS and voila - nice smooth clutch. Replace the thrust bearing in your clutch too, and make sure the surfaces in the basket where the tabs on the plates go are nice and smooth.
leggers
Active Member
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
Tim I took your advice an saved a little money on some regular clutch disks. I think I will be happy with them.
Anyway, I'm still working on the engine, but I was able to make good progress over the weekend, have a look at the video:
Putting cylinders on an XS 650 engine
Tim I took your advice an saved a little money on some regular clutch disks. I think I will be happy with them.
Anyway, I'm still working on the engine, but I was able to make good progress over the weekend, have a look at the video:
Putting cylinders on an XS 650 engine
metaltriumph
Active Member
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
this is a solid build. thanks for the vids. keep em coming
this is a solid build. thanks for the vids. keep em coming
leggers
Active Member
Re: New Guy xs 650 build
Another 650??
I couldn't resist myself. A co-worker pointed out this 1975 XS650 in poor shape on craigslist. For two hundred dollars I couldn't say no. Of course it wasn't running when I purchased it. But a little time spent on it over the weekend and she was running in no time. It still needs more attention, but now its got a new lease on life. The instrument cluster will need some work since its a jumble of wires right now. Headlight and turn signals will also have to be checked out as those don't work either.
Anyway here's a shot of ugly betty in the driveway.
Someone was hardcore and put the 10" mini-ape handlebars on lol. I think someone also removed the baffles in the exhaust because she has a rough sound to her.
Here's a vid of me kicking her over:
1975 Yamaha xs650.avi
Thanks! Will do!metaltriumph said:
Another 650??
I couldn't resist myself. A co-worker pointed out this 1975 XS650 in poor shape on craigslist. For two hundred dollars I couldn't say no. Of course it wasn't running when I purchased it. But a little time spent on it over the weekend and she was running in no time. It still needs more attention, but now its got a new lease on life. The instrument cluster will need some work since its a jumble of wires right now. Headlight and turn signals will also have to be checked out as those don't work either.
Anyway here's a shot of ugly betty in the driveway.
Here's a vid of me kicking her over:
1975 Yamaha xs650.avi
leggers
Active Member
Re: Building Masculinity and a XS650 Engine
I would be lying if I said that having children doesn't affect your project. After being blessed with the birth of my son, he and my wife literally became my only priority during late Oct early Nov. I am happy to say he is a total joy and I'm glad that we've had him (and they'll always be a priority).
With that said, the wife finally let me get back into my garage. With my testosterone and sleep running on low I took another crack at completing this engine. I've learned a lot so far, and typically what takes a normal person 1 hour to accomplish, takes me two LOL! So far so good though.
Nearly Finished Engine Build
I would be lying if I said that having children doesn't affect your project. After being blessed with the birth of my son, he and my wife literally became my only priority during late Oct early Nov. I am happy to say he is a total joy and I'm glad that we've had him (and they'll always be a priority).
With that said, the wife finally let me get back into my garage. With my testosterone and sleep running on low I took another crack at completing this engine. I've learned a lot so far, and typically what takes a normal person 1 hour to accomplish, takes me two LOL! So far so good though.
Nearly Finished Engine Build
