The 520 Chain Cafe: August 2013

8/31/13

XS650 Special project

Next up on the list is to get the electrical items sorted. Without the big stock headlight, and with the new small tank, space is tight, so downsizing is the name of the game here. I'm going to be using an electronic bicycle speedometer instead of the stock gauges, which eliminates some wiring, but want to keep functioning turn signals. To save space, and increase performance, I'm using a dual output coil part #17-6822 from MikesXS to replace the two stock type coils. This is the same coil as I use on the '75. Both points are wired together with a single condensor and work as a wasted spark ignition. I still like points, but this coil also works with a PAMCO electronic ignition if I ever decided to convert. I made a bracket and mounted it in the triangle area of the frame under the gas tank.

I also wanted to relocate the ignition switch and use something smaller. I did a search and found a thread in which XSLeo uses one for an old Ford tractor. I got part #8N3679C from Rural King. Just right.

I mounted it in the neck gusset.

I got the same aluminum bodied signals I use on some of my other bikes.

I made some simple brackets to fork mount them like I did on my SR500.

The only difference is that on the XS650 forks they need to be bent slightly once bolted on, since the lower fork clamp bolts angle slightly.

Here they are mounted.

I got a 552 two prong flasher relay to replace the big three prong stock part. It plugs into the two brown wires on the connector.

While I had the harness off I got rid of the turn signal cancelling unit, the reserve lighting unit, and the light checker. The RLU and LC required a couple of wires to be connected after removal.