12/22/12
XS650 cafe project
I'm using All Balls wheel bearings on the '75. If working on an XS650, note that the rear wheel has a second spacer/reducer in the drive side bearing that needs transferred to the new bearing before installation. The spokes are the standard plated sets from MikesXS. I almost went with stainless, but for $32 a set these are very nice. They come 40 to a set for some reason, even though it is a 36 spoke wheel.
The short hook spokes are inside, and long hook outside. I place both inside and outside spokes in one side of the hub, and then inside only on the other, then point them all in the proper direction. After setting the rim over the hub and getting the nipples started on those, I then drop in the outside spokes on the remaining side and install the nipples.
Here they are loose laced, out in the sun to see how they will look.
I'm really liking the brushed look I did on the rims and hubs.
For truing I sometimes just clamp an old swingarm in a bench vise, but since the engine stand I made out of a Suzuki lower frame section still had the swingarm pivot, I just used it.
The short hook spokes are inside, and long hook outside. I place both inside and outside spokes in one side of the hub, and then inside only on the other, then point them all in the proper direction. After setting the rim over the hub and getting the nipples started on those, I then drop in the outside spokes on the remaining side and install the nipples.
Here they are loose laced, out in the sun to see how they will look.
I'm really liking the brushed look I did on the rims and hubs.
For truing I sometimes just clamp an old swingarm in a bench vise, but since the engine stand I made out of a Suzuki lower frame section still had the swingarm pivot, I just used it.
12/16/12
XS650 cafe project
I got started putting the '75 back together. Since the frame was bare I did the sideways engine installation method; laying the engine on it's side on styrofoam blocks and fitting the frame over the engine. It is easier on the back, and prevents scratches to the frame. I got bronze swingarm bushings from MikesXS. On my '79 I used bushings from TC Bros Choppers. I thought they were likely the same, but the bushings from TC Bros were a much easier fit, needing just a rubber mallet to install, where the ones from MikesXS were a press fit. Soon will be wheel lacing and assembling the front end.
12/9/12
12/8/12
XS650 project
The '75 XS engine right after coming out of the frame...
...and ready to go back in.
This engine ran good when I got it, and only 8900 miles, but had the failing front cam chain guide. Fixing the front cam chain guide means the head comes off, so a good time for top end rebuild. The engine was in good shape, and I ended up really good budget-wise. I lapped the valves and honed the cylinders myself, so free labor. Here is the complete parts and price list, all of which I bought from MikesXS.
Athena premium gasket set------------65.00
cam chain DID 219FTssx106---------49.50
cam chain tensioner arm---------------65.00
front cam chain guide------------------32.00
piston rings standard-----(2x32.00)--64.00
piston pin clips----------------------------3.00
clutch spring allen bolt kit--------------33.00
brass head washers--------(4x2.00)----8.00
top end fastener set----------------------49.50
top end copper washer sealing set------6.50
engine case screw set--------------------10.00
copper drain plug gaskets----------------3.50
sump filter--------------------------------29.50
side filter----------------------------------10.50
total-------------------------------------$429.00
Other than those parts, the only money spent was one new exhaust stud, a couple cans of engine paint and cleaning materials. I had the two cam seals and kickstart seal left over from a seal kit I'd bought for the '79. The bottom end seals are just as easy to replace in the frame. I'll swap them out later on if they leak. This bike had the #4 starter gear issue, and I crimped the spring in a vise as shown in this how-to. I'd planned on just getting rid of the electric start, but if this fixes it for no cost I'll keep it.
...and ready to go back in.
This engine ran good when I got it, and only 8900 miles, but had the failing front cam chain guide. Fixing the front cam chain guide means the head comes off, so a good time for top end rebuild. The engine was in good shape, and I ended up really good budget-wise. I lapped the valves and honed the cylinders myself, so free labor. Here is the complete parts and price list, all of which I bought from MikesXS.
Athena premium gasket set------------65.00
cam chain DID 219FTssx106---------49.50
cam chain tensioner arm---------------65.00
front cam chain guide------------------32.00
piston rings standard-----(2x32.00)--64.00
piston pin clips----------------------------3.00
clutch spring allen bolt kit--------------33.00
brass head washers--------(4x2.00)----8.00
top end fastener set----------------------49.50
top end copper washer sealing set------6.50
engine case screw set--------------------10.00
copper drain plug gaskets----------------3.50
sump filter--------------------------------29.50
side filter----------------------------------10.50
total-------------------------------------$429.00
Other than those parts, the only money spent was one new exhaust stud, a couple cans of engine paint and cleaning materials. I had the two cam seals and kickstart seal left over from a seal kit I'd bought for the '79. The bottom end seals are just as easy to replace in the frame. I'll swap them out later on if they leak. This bike had the #4 starter gear issue, and I crimped the spring in a vise as shown in this how-to. I'd planned on just getting rid of the electric start, but if this fixes it for no cost I'll keep it.
11/25/12
XS650 project
Here is the '73 TX650 brake rotor from the front end I picked up at the swap meet, so looks like I'll be going dual front brakes on the '75 XS 34mm front end. '72 and I believe early '73 TX had a wacky style hub and rotor that don't interchange, but this one is good.
Blasted.
Masked.
...and painted. I used Rust-Oleum 'stainless steel'.
The '75 XS rotor to the left and '73 TX to the right of the picture, the only difference being the little cut out areas between the holes on the '75, but otherwise identical.
The TX and XS calipers are the same, so when I rebuild them I just need to swap the top stud and bolt and one will be a left side caliper. I'll probably get the dual disc master cylinder from MikesXS. These are 2 piston fixed calipers, unlike the '77 and up single piston. These have hard line going to the caliper stock, and don't accept a conventional banjo fitting, so I'll try to find an AN adapter to connect to braided line.
Getting ready to finish up the engine, the clutch cover before doing anything to it. I first gave it a cleaning, and then used paint stripper to remove the old paint on the logo and any remaining clear coat.
Here is a good reason to thoroughly inspect and clean everything as you go, a piece of the front cam chain guide in the oil passage front the sump to the oil pump in the cover. This bike had the typical hole in the sump screen, and this piece made it through.
I wet sanded using dish soap and 600 grit paper.
After wet sanding.
Next a good rubbing with Autosol metal polish. Still a slight haze in a few spots at certain angles, but quite an improvement.
This is the clutch cover with the untouched left side cover, quite a difference.
Blasted.
Masked.
...and painted. I used Rust-Oleum 'stainless steel'.
The '75 XS rotor to the left and '73 TX to the right of the picture, the only difference being the little cut out areas between the holes on the '75, but otherwise identical.
The TX and XS calipers are the same, so when I rebuild them I just need to swap the top stud and bolt and one will be a left side caliper. I'll probably get the dual disc master cylinder from MikesXS. These are 2 piston fixed calipers, unlike the '77 and up single piston. These have hard line going to the caliper stock, and don't accept a conventional banjo fitting, so I'll try to find an AN adapter to connect to braided line.
Getting ready to finish up the engine, the clutch cover before doing anything to it. I first gave it a cleaning, and then used paint stripper to remove the old paint on the logo and any remaining clear coat.
Here is a good reason to thoroughly inspect and clean everything as you go, a piece of the front cam chain guide in the oil passage front the sump to the oil pump in the cover. This bike had the typical hole in the sump screen, and this piece made it through.
I wet sanded using dish soap and 600 grit paper.
After wet sanding.
Next a good rubbing with Autosol metal polish. Still a slight haze in a few spots at certain angles, but quite an improvement.
This is the clutch cover with the untouched left side cover, quite a difference.
11/18/12
XS650 project
I've been making some progress on the '75 XS engine refresh, and getting started with reassembly. I'm using a D.I.D. cam chain and Athena gasket set.
I got the clutch spring screw set from MikesXS. These are much easier to work with than the phillips screws.
I cleaned the carbon from the head and valves. The guides were good, and the valves just need a lapping.
The head and rocker box cleaned up, a quick tip when bead blasting, ear plugs work great to seal up small openings.
I really like how black cylinders look on XS650s, so painted mine. Everything was still in spec here, so I'm just honing and re-ringing.
I got the clutch spring screw set from MikesXS. These are much easier to work with than the phillips screws.
I cleaned the carbon from the head and valves. The guides were good, and the valves just need a lapping.
The head and rocker box cleaned up, a quick tip when bead blasting, ear plugs work great to seal up small openings.
I really like how black cylinders look on XS650s, so painted mine. Everything was still in spec here, so I'm just honing and re-ringing.
the swap meet
I made out good at the Boone County Swap Meet in Lebanon, Indiana. The March meet was great, and even bigger and better this time, so I see this as eventually becoming one of the best around.
Checking out my score on my shop porch after getting home.
I'm really happy with this, an NOS Preston Petty front fender still in the wrapper. This will eventually go on my DT3. A previous owner installed a black high mount fender, and painted the rear to match, so I'll now be able to go back to the original silver fender color.
I bought a set of thermal flow shocks last time for the DT3, but for $10 I couldn't pass up having a spare set. The Supertrapp should work nice on one of my Yamaha 500 singles, and you can't have too many handlebars.
This is for an RT, the 360cc version of my DT3. It is a bike on my want list, so I'm all set if I find one with a bad tank. This one is just as clean on the inside as it is on the outside.
I'm eventually going to put spoke wheels on the '79 XS650 Special, and got the majority of what I'll need. The rear has a fairly nice shouldered rim, but the front has a drop center style steel wheel(Special II), so I'll get a matching shouldered rim for it.
I got a nice set of Yamaha 35mm forks, and a '73 TX650 fork and wheel. The TX hub will likely go on my SR500 (I got an XT spoke rear wheel for it at the March meet), and I'm going to look into using the caliper and rotor to convert to dual disc on the '75 XS650.
...and some stuff to hang in the shop.
Checking out my score on my shop porch after getting home.
I'm really happy with this, an NOS Preston Petty front fender still in the wrapper. This will eventually go on my DT3. A previous owner installed a black high mount fender, and painted the rear to match, so I'll now be able to go back to the original silver fender color.
I bought a set of thermal flow shocks last time for the DT3, but for $10 I couldn't pass up having a spare set. The Supertrapp should work nice on one of my Yamaha 500 singles, and you can't have too many handlebars.
This is for an RT, the 360cc version of my DT3. It is a bike on my want list, so I'm all set if I find one with a bad tank. This one is just as clean on the inside as it is on the outside.
I'm eventually going to put spoke wheels on the '79 XS650 Special, and got the majority of what I'll need. The rear has a fairly nice shouldered rim, but the front has a drop center style steel wheel(Special II), so I'll get a matching shouldered rim for it.
I got a nice set of Yamaha 35mm forks, and a '73 TX650 fork and wheel. The TX hub will likely go on my SR500 (I got an XT spoke rear wheel for it at the March meet), and I'm going to look into using the caliper and rotor to convert to dual disc on the '75 XS650.
...and some stuff to hang in the shop.
