650Rider, xs650 hosted by XS650.com

What Happened to 650rider.com?

650 Rider went offline for about a month at the beginning of 2010. In order to save the technical information that was here, XS650.com acquired the site and brought it back online as a read-only archive. If you were a member of 650 Rider, you will need to re-register at XS650.com

Search 650Rider.com and XS650.com using Google!

        650Rider Menu
 Community  Information


xs650 > > Stock Bikes > > Original Equipment Restoration Projects > > 650cc Ascot TT


650cc Ascot TT
Go to page Previous  1, 2
    Forum Index -> Original Equipment Restoration Projects
Author Message
thorshammer
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Dec 12, 2008
Posts: 58

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 12:36 am    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

Hi loved my commando I could even see objects in the mirrors. Another fairly smooth brit was the 750 Royal Oilfeild Wink not really my cup of tea but nice heavy flywheels. The idea of isolastic mounting for the 650 has some merit but maybe overrated. My personal choice for a smooth twin would be BMW but I haven't found the right one yet ( cheap ). So for a lot less money and hassle the xs 650s feel about the same as my old BSAs did, just take more work to make them handle as well. IMHO
_________________
The dogs philosophy of life: If you can't eat it or hump it piss on it and walk away.
Mine: don't put your face where you wouldn't put your fingers
Back to top
xs1961
650Rider Supporter
650Rider Supporter


Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 4:48 am    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

My smoothest twin ever was my 1971 Laverda SF750, superb bike, I reckon the main reason it was so vibe-free was the thickness of the frame tubing..Which inspired me to once fill the lower frame tubes of my XS with approx 6lb of lead shot (through a 1/4" drilled hole either side then plugged) - what a difference ! Soaked up the vibes and an added bonus was the handling due to the lowering of the center of gravity and the added un-sprung weight on the suspension ..
Going to try it again as soon as I can afford the lead !
EDIT - SPRUNG weight Embarassed

_________________
1 running 650
2.5 bikes in bits,
no time,
gradually losing intrest... God help me...


Last edited by xs1961 on March 28, 2009, 6:51 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
Photo Gallery
Barbara
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Feb 17, 2008
Posts: 812
Location: Washington State

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 1:13 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

xs1961--

No kidding--that worked? Where did you drill? (I retired from owning a printing plant, and we had a hot-lead/letterpress department....I have lead.) About 6 lbs--in each down-tube? Wow, if that really did the trick, I'm gonna do it.

_________________
Barb
Jaelith the XS650 with sidecar
Britney the BSA
Gemini the BSA
Baby B. the BSA
Big John the BSA
The unnamed Triumph T-140
and the 1979 XS650....with "potential"
Millie the 1980 airhead BMW
Back to top
Photo Gallery
xs1961
650Rider Supporter
650Rider Supporter


Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 1:52 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

Approx 6lb's in all - not each leg.. We drilled just below the headstock each side & also just behind the side panel below the seat.. Poured in small lead shot & some fibreglass resin to help stop the lead shifting! Not sure where I can get that much lead these days Confused
_________________
1 running 650
2.5 bikes in bits,
no time,
gradually losing intrest... God help me...
Back to top
Photo Gallery
Buddy78SX650
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Feb 02, 2009
Posts: 68
Location: Dallas, Texas

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 4:04 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

xs1961 wrote:
Not sure where I can get that much lead these days Confused

Old dead golf cart batteries have a ton of lead in them but watch out for the acid... and then you would also have to find a way to grind up the plates. Twisted Evil

_________________
1978 XS650 Special project bike
Back to top
jimmythetrucker
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Mar 12, 2008
Posts: 1283

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 4:47 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

xs1961 -- you might have been able to stop the vibration by pouring in the resin only. It would be interesting to find out if that works just as well without the lead. Of course somebody has to risk a useful frame in order to find out. . . .
Back to top
xs1961
650Rider Supporter
650Rider Supporter


Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 5:20 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

Im going to try that next week on a spare frame , got gallons of resin, cant harm the frame, helps seal it against water! Smile
_________________
1 running 650
2.5 bikes in bits,
no time,
gradually losing intrest... God help me...
Back to top
Photo Gallery
xsjohn
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Jul 30, 2006
Posts: 5857
Location: North Carolina USSA

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 5:32 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

And you guys pretty much laughted at me for lowering the compression a bit to reduce vibrations........ Laughing

Could weld a couple for feet of railroad rail across the frame below the engine....would work for foot peds that would vibrate less too... Laughing

All in fun guys.........

xsjohn
Back to top
Photo Gallery
xs1961
650Rider Supporter
650Rider Supporter


Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 7:34 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

Not me John..Lower comp makes perfect sense..when I replaced my BSA A10RR (9.5:1)pistons for lowly 6:1 comp Ariel Huntmaster slugs the bike was transformed into the sweetest running Brit twin Ive ever !
as for the railway tracks , well, the theory's correct .Ive noticed that the XS's that Ive stripped down & de-lugged vibrate more than those with all the extra hinges/brackets/hangers etc. intact !

_________________
1 running 650
2.5 bikes in bits,
no time,
gradually losing intrest... God help me...
Back to top
Photo Gallery
xsjohn
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Jul 30, 2006
Posts: 5857
Location: North Carolina USSA

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 7:41 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

Think for the XS 6 would be weak......8 is ok though....150 psi to 130-135 psi......I want it to still blast down the express.....which it does........

Years ago I did change out my BSA Hornet from 10.5-1 to 9-1......still took me anywhere........

xsjohn
Back to top
Photo Gallery
650skull
Support Staff
Support Staff


Joined: Jul 19, 2007
Posts: 1186

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 9:23 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

Not me either John, I'm going to give it a go on one of my engines when i get some spare gaskets....... i have in mind one of mikes 5th gear and not changing the gearing so much................have to wait till i open up the motor though, wouldn't do that unless i had to...
Back to top
Photo Gallery
nj1639
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Posts: 839
Location: Switzerland County, Indiana

PostPosted: March 27, 2009, 9:36 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

Yep, got a spare head gasket just waiting for the next teardown, pickup coil top mount is slotted now.
_________________
"Go ahead, turn the damn power and water off, I'm ready!
'83 xs650sk
www.650rider.com/index...pic&t=5392
Back to top
Barbara
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Feb 17, 2008
Posts: 812
Location: Washington State

PostPosted: March 28, 2009, 12:21 am    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

'61,

If anyone in your area knows a hobby-printer, and they have a Linotype, you can get all the lead you can use. Actually, it's "type-metal", just a bit harder than lead, but still melts at about the same temperature. I used lots of it casting triangle weights for salt-water fishing. I've got probably 100 lbs still in the shed, from the Lino days.

Call a couple of printing plants, and ask for the names of hobby-printers. Hmmm---John's remark about the railroad iron gave me an idea---two metal tubes, one on each side-rail on the bottom of the frame, welded shut on one end. You could start with say four lbs of melted lead divided between the two, and add it until it felt right. If you got too much weight, just unbolt the metal tube, and hit the open end with a torch---out comes some of the lead as soon as it melts!

I guess my Nom de Guerre must be Rube Goldberg....... Laughing

_________________
Barb
Jaelith the XS650 with sidecar
Britney the BSA
Gemini the BSA
Baby B. the BSA
Big John the BSA
The unnamed Triumph T-140
and the 1979 XS650....with "potential"
Millie the 1980 airhead BMW
Back to top
Photo Gallery
thorshammer
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Dec 12, 2008
Posts: 58

PostPosted: March 28, 2009, 2:41 am    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

The weight in the frame is really sprung weight, adding weight in the lower tubes may make it feel different but the laws of physics still apply. More weight slower acceleration slower handling and braking that being said it probably would not make a noticeable difference on the street but on the track could be the difference between 1st or 2nd. Grinding off tabs and brackets will also alter the harmonics of the frame alowing more vibration to be felt. How about isolastic mounting of the footpegs and different grips or gloves with gell in the palms less weight equals better performance.
_________________
The dogs philosophy of life: If you can't eat it or hump it piss on it and walk away.
Mine: don't put your face where you wouldn't put your fingers
Back to top
xs1961
650Rider Supporter
650Rider Supporter


Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1808
Location: uk

PostPosted: March 28, 2009, 5:50 am    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

Cheers Barbara, I know a bloke who knows a bloke.. Wink
Yep, youre right thorshammeer. I always get my sprung/unsprung confused..
Still, the frame did seem to absorb the vibes somehow..As for the difference of 6lb's or so I never noticed the difference performance-wise , there are so many weight variables from wearing a heavy leather jacket, a full tank of juice , a fat/slim rider or even one whos taken(or not) a recent dump! Smile

_________________
1 running 650
2.5 bikes in bits,
no time,
gradually losing intrest... God help me...
Back to top
Photo Gallery
Tomterrific
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Jul 30, 2005
Posts: 149
Location: Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: March 28, 2009, 1:26 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

I used a length of vinyl tubing that fit in my handlebars. I cut the tubing so it would not stick out and interfere with the throttle action. I filled the tubing with lead shot, #12 I think, and sealed the ends. Then I oiled the bars inside and forced the tubing into the bars. The weighted bars changed the resonance of the grips. I think if I do this again I'll seal up one bar end, fill the grip area with lead and the middle of the bar with sand. As I finish filling the last grip area I'll seal the bar. The sand will not add as much overall weight and save on expensive shot.

Tom Graham
Back to top
jimmythetrucker
Full Member
Full Member


Joined: Mar 12, 2008
Posts: 1283

PostPosted: March 28, 2009, 4:38 pm    Post subject: Re: 650cc Ascot TT

You guys live in a different world than I do. I rode my old '79 for nine years and loved every beat of its heart. There were things I didn't like about it: back then I only weighed 180 lbs, but I wished for more room on the saddle and deeper padding in the seat. On longer trips (10, 15, 20 days) I often wished for highway bars and forward controls. But the machine itself, the heft and the feel, the tone and general behavior of the thing, I never found fault with.
Back to top
 
    Forum Index -> Original Equipment Restoration Projects All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Go to page Previous  1, 2
Page 2 of 2


  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Check out the new Honda CB750 Forum at CB750.com! A site dedicated to the great Honda SOHC and DOHC CB750.

Check out the new Yamaha XS400 Forum at XS400.com!

Yamaha xs650

xs650, xs, 650, forum, links, chopper, custom, yamaha, parts, forum, info, information, bb, bulletin board, XS650
650Rider, Free Unrestricted xs650 forum, Personal photo albums, Post images in Forum, News columns, Daily blog, Links, Event calendar, Information for Yamaha XS650



Interactive software released under GNU GPL, Code Credits, Privacy Policy