Newbie question

dtkid · Posted: May 2, 2006, 10:57 am Post subject: Newbie question

I bought my first XS650 about a week ago. It is a 79'. I now have six bikes (mostly GS Suzukis) and I used to have a XJ750. My question is this:

I was looking to replace the points yesterday but found that the ignition is electronic....what year did these Yamaha's quit using contact points and switch to electronic? All the GS Suzukis' started using CDI/electronic in 1980.

grizld1 · Posted: May 2, 2006, 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie question

The first model year for stock electronic ignition in the XS650 was 1980 (XS650G). The older bikes can be converted by installing rotor, stator, pickup coils, TCI box, regulator/rectifier, and ignition coil from later units and changing one alternator lead (switched power instead of harness ground to the brush that's grounded in the older alternators) and the reg/rec hookup. Regardless of year on title, if the second character of your VIN is "G," your bike's the '80 model year (second character of the '79 model year VIN is "F"). There was also a Canadian G-model with "F" in the second place of the VIN--go figure!

dtkid · Posted: May 3, 2006, 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Newbie question

Much thanks.......I'll check the VIN when I get to the house.

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