Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Just Picked up a 1981 XS650

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Just Picked up a 1981 XS650

    Hasn't run in a few years. The guy I got it from said that it started bogging down and then would hardly idle the following spring. I took the carbs off when I got it home and they're SO dirty and are currently soaking in the carb bucket. I'm really excited to pull them out tonight to clean hah.

    It's interesting to compare the XS engine to the GS. Oil filtration is apparently a common problem so that will be what I look into next. There's a separate oil and sump filter and two plugs on the bottom of the engine that you need to loosen to drain the oil. I believe the XS650 engine was originally released in 1969 and went through 1984 and it doesn't look like there were any major changes over the years. Being a 1981, mine has an electronic ignition system and they just left the area where the points were empty. I thought maybe parts of the bike had been stripped when I opened it up! So much as I've seen so far, the GS engines seem far more robust.

    So far I'm $800 in for the bike and just under $200 for a new battery, intake boots and a couple other things. Going to fire it up before addressing the shot break system. The air filters are rotted so I need to address that, too. There is one per carb and they're $47 each for the oem style. I can also get a set of K&N replacements for $90 or the K&N pods for under $100. Haven't made up my mind which to do yet. After that, I'm going to throw on some Euro bars similar to my GS750 set up and I'll be making a new seat as well.

    This bike is partly to encourage one of my friends to start riding. I bought it and am going to fix it up but may sell it at cost to him when the weather comes around and he's interested to buy. If he doesn't end up buying it, I've been wanting to build a chopper for a while and TC bros sells a weld on hardtail...




    Me and my buddy (GS550 owner) have a lift set up in our part of a multi-use space/art studio we have. I'm happy to be filling my leather studio with motorcycles - I made this hand stitched key fob for the key:




    Carbs are Mikuni BS34 and are almost identical to those on my GS450:



    1980/1981 GS450 - GS500 Cylinder + Piston Swap - "De-L'ed", custom seat, CB350 bits, 18" rear, etc.
    1977 GS550
    1977 GS750 - Cross country trip thread

    #2
    Dunked and cleaned the first carb and taking the other out tonight. I like this shot showing how blocked some of the airways were:




    Just waiting on some new float bowl gaskets:



    I also found this half moon gasket half blocking one of the oil passages...yikes. Going to just make sure there's fresh oil, etc before starting up.



    One thing that's nice about these bikes is that there's a dedicated website to parts for the XS650: mikesxs.com
    1980/1981 GS450 - GS500 Cylinder + Piston Swap - "De-L'ed", custom seat, CB350 bits, 18" rear, etc.
    1977 GS550
    1977 GS750 - Cross country trip thread

    Comment


      #3
      I was wandering around in a local bike shop, last wk, & there was a new Yamaha XS650. Gosh, they've been making them since way back in the early 70's. I couldn't imagine they were still making them. Best I remember, they weren't the best at anything, there was nothing about them that would really stand out, they were just motorcycles. The new ones still have that less modern look, & that old 650 vertical twin looks like it did 40 yrs ago. Congrats, & being in production that many yrs, parts should be available out the ying yang. Keep us posted.
      1983 GS1100E, 1983 CB1100F, 1991 GSX1100G, 1996 Kaw. ZL600 Eliminator, 1999 Bandit 1200S, 2005 Bandit 1200S, 2000 Kaw. ZRX 1100

      Comment


        #4
        You should join the XS650 forum. http://www.xs650.com
        As with this forum’s info on the GS bikes, the XS650 forum has info that will help you get that bike back on the road.


        You can get new replacement air filters for around the same price as the K&Ns that you mentioned.


        Those bikes have a strong following. Lots of parts are available to build a custom.
        And for a little inspiration, one of the guys running the local DGR has this sweet XS650:
        Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

        Comment


          #5
          Go back and check out that "new" XS650. Last year of production was around 1985 or so. It may be a very new survivor but its certainly not a current model year bike .
          MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
          1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

          NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


          I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

          Comment


            #6
            My first street bike was a 76 XS 650, just like this one. I was clueless about bikes at the time (1978) but this thing always seemed to run, no matter what stupid things I did to it. I HATED that paint job though.



            1982 GS1100 G converted by Motorcyclist magazine in 1986 to be a tribute to the Wes Cooley replica. 1982 Honda 900F. 1997 Yamaha VMax.
            Also owned: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900, 1972 Honda 750 K, 1976 Yamaha XS 650, 1980 Kawasaki KZ 1000 MKII, 1978 Kawasaki SR 650. Current cage is a 2001 Mustang Bullitt in Dark Highland Green. Bought new in Sept. 2001.

            Comment


              #7
              Sorry, My bad. We were just wandering around the shop, that sells appx. 12 different brands. The XS650, I saw, was sitting in the new Yama's section. I didn't squeeze thru all the others to get a close-up, just assumed, it looked new & was in the new section. Usually the used bikes are in the back of the showroom. None the less, congrats again, any of these old bikes that get resurrected is a good thing. Keep it up.
              1983 GS1100E, 1983 CB1100F, 1991 GSX1100G, 1996 Kaw. ZL600 Eliminator, 1999 Bandit 1200S, 2005 Bandit 1200S, 2000 Kaw. ZRX 1100

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by rphillips View Post
                Sorry, My bad. We were just wandering around the shop, that sells appx. 12 different brands. The XS650, I saw, was sitting in the new Yama's section. I didn't squeeze thru all the others to get a close-up, just assumed, it looked new & was in the new section. Usually the used bikes are in the back of the showroom. None the less, congrats again, any of these old bikes that get resurrected is a good thing. Keep it up.
                The sweet original XS650 might just be on display & not for sale.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Nice SAM!
                  I just grabbed a Triumph T300 for Super cheap and plan to build (Something) out of it. I think the XS650s are wicked cool!
                  Look forward to seeing what you do with it!
                  Let me know the next time your in Vermont!
                  Jedz Moto
                  1980 Suzuki GS1000G
                  1988 Honda GL1500-6
                  2018 Triumph Bonneville T120-
                  2020 Honda Monkey Z125
                  2001 Honda Insight - 65MPG
                  Originally posted by Hayabuser
                  Cool is defined differently by different people... I'm sure the new rider down the block thinks his Ninja 250 is cool and why shouldn't he? Bikes are just cool.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I've seen some very well done XS650 hard tail choppers that where done on a budget, seems to be plenty of people out there for support and parts to build one.
                    1980 Yamaha XS1100G (Current bike)
                    1982 GS450txz (former bike)
                    LONG list of previous bikes not listed here.

                    These aren't my words, I just arrange them

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Well with a carb cleaning, new plugs, some fresh oil it and a new battery it fired up on the 5th kick and runs like a champ now
                      I did find some aluminum shavings in the oil filter which I've heard comes from the cam chain being mal adjusted and rubbing a little. Apparently this is quite common and so I'm not going to worry about it until the next oil change after I put a few hundred miles on it (and obviously adjust the chain).

                      Next up is new handlebars, tracking down an intermittant headlight, new sump filter, replacement air filters for the ones that are all chewed up and a few other odds and ends. Exited for the weather to pick up a bit so I can get it on the road. Justin I'll see you in a few months
                      1980/1981 GS450 - GS500 Cylinder + Piston Swap - "De-L'ed", custom seat, CB350 bits, 18" rear, etc.
                      1977 GS550
                      1977 GS750 - Cross country trip thread

                      Comment


                        #12
                        go to MIKES XS.
                        MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                        1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                        NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                        I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Here for parts fiche.


                          Shop our large selection of Yamaha Motorcycle OEM parts, original equipment manufacturer parts and more online or call at 800-964-1882
                          MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                          1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                          NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                          I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            IMG_2230.jpg

                            One I liked... WD40 show bike at SEMA in 2017
                            1980 GS1000G - Sold
                            1978 GS1000E - Finished!
                            1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
                            1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
                            2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
                            1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
                            2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar.....

                            www.parasiticsanalytics.com

                            TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

                            Comment


                              #15
                              IMG_2231.jpg

                              At least 10 characters....
                              1980 GS1000G - Sold
                              1978 GS1000E - Finished!
                              1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
                              1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
                              2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
                              1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
                              2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar.....

                              www.parasiticsanalytics.com

                              TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X