Pictures of my 78 650 Special

Buddy78SX650 · Posted: February 17, 2009, 8:03 pm Post subject: Pictures of my 78 650 Special

I just picked up a 1978 XS 650 special from my father in law. I has been sitting in that back of his garage for 20 years so it needs a lot of work. The good thing is it is a complete bike all parts are there and it was running when he parked it.

As it turns out with the help I have gotten from this wonderfull site I was able to get it running in three days. Changed the plugs and oil, cleaned out the gas tank and carbs and the old girl runs great Very Happy

. The front brake is stuck so I removed it for now going to order some parts from Mike's site. Really happy with the way everthing has worked out so far and this bike is a blast to ride even though I have not taken her over 45 MPH!!

On with the pictures!!

Buddy78SX650

a few more Very Happy

Hasn't been registered since 1989 LOL Laughing

Barbara

Very nice! It's always neat to hear of another XS back out of the barn and out on the road--even without a front brake! Very Happy

When I rebuilt my '77, I had to go through the front brake also, but it's sure nice to have, especially with that drum on the back......

5000+ miles---it's barely broken in! Enjoy--it will last for many years.

Buddy78SX650

It's fixer upper but it will be a fun process, just got back from yet another short cruise and I really like it. Oh by the way the picture of the vent filters I got at Lowes, I used that to make my air filters for the bike Smile

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danno · Full Member Joined: Mar 04, 2006 Posts: 212

Nice bike! I have the same bike in the same color (Vintage Burgundy),in mint original condition.My bike has about 700 more miles on it than yours. I purchased my bike from my brother for a whopping $450. You've just gotta love that "family discount" !

nj1639

Was wondering what the vent filters were all about. Nice stocker and great find. I'd venture to say that your father in law likes you, treat his daughter well.
Signed,
Father of 3 daughters.
ps.
My girls can load, aim, fire, hit, field dress, butcher, cook and eat what they aim for. Their husbands tread lightly. Ha!

Buddy78SX650

Danno nice to hear you have the same ride as me I wish mine was mint.... but at least I have all the parts for this bike so that is a big plus Smile

and it was free so I can't complain only have about $60 bucks in it so far.

nj1639
Yea the F-I-L does like me pretty well and the reason he parked the bike back in 89 was because he started loosing his eye sight and by 93 he lost his license and is legally blind. He has 20/200 vision in one eye and 20/2000 in the other but he still gets around somehow. As for the wife she is just as capable as your daughters being the country girl she is so I dare not piss her off :).

Barbara

Caution---mini-hijack!

Don't mess with girls with guns!! Very Happy

(Love that .45-70 Trapdoor!)

oldbikenut

Bike looks great! I recently got a 78 XS650 as well. The brake issue is intersting as my rear brake is stuck, must be a normal thing for the brakes to stick after sitting for awhile.

Are your plans to keep the bike original?

pumps · Last edited by pumps on February 19, 2009, 6:08 pm; edited 1 time in total

I think if I run across a good looking special I might just have to buy one if I have the cash at the time. I have my standard but I see lots of good looking specials and am growing to like them more and more.

Buddy, yours would seem to be barely broken in despite the issues from sitting. She'll shine up pretty good I bet.

Buddy78SX650

oldbikenut
Yes I am planning to keep it original and might even have a new seat on the way from a member here, that should really help. I might try some different handle bars but not sure yet.

pumps
Yea I bought some chrome polish and car wax last night after work so tonight I am going to see how well she will shine up. I'll get some new pics up after detailing!

JeffM

The XS1/XS2 handlebars from Mikes are worth a look, good rise and pullback without going 'buckhorn'. They have barend weights welded in and they really do seem to help keep the vibes down.

Buddy78SX650

JeffM wrote:

The XS1/XS2 handlebars from Mikes are worth a look, good rise and pullback without going 'buckhorn'. They have barend weights welded in and they really do seem to help keep the vibes down.

Thanks for the tip I'll look into them when the time comes Cool

Snake

Hey Buddy..great find...worth marrying her just to get the bike....:)

Buddy78SX650

Snake wrote:

Hey Buddy..great find...worth marrying her just to get the bike....:)

LMAO I never thought about it that way I'm going to tell her that one tonight she'll get a big laugh out of that comment. Laughing

Buddy78SX650

Half a bottle of chrome polish and some wax works wonders LOL.

Buddy78SX650

kingwj

Looking at the last picture I know why your front brake isn't working. A seat cover, little elbow grease and you are there. Enjoy.

Buddy78SX650

kingwj wrote:

Looking at the last picture I know why your front brake isn't working. A seat cover, little elbow grease and you are there. Enjoy.

LOL yea the front brake is stuck and the master cylender is shot so I took the caliper off until I can get those parts fixed. I have a seat on the way from anouther member here so I am making progress Very Happy

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NateDogg

Here's a cheap tip: go to home depot, power tool aisle. get 2 sticks of ryobi polishing compound (red and white), get an arbor and a polishing wheel that will fit in it, put it in your drill and go to town on those cases. They will come out like chrome, don't waste your time buying hand polishes and crap until after you do this, then you can use it to keep the shine. I just took my whole bike apart for a makeover and used this method for my case covers, fork lowers, brake drums, upper tree...it doesn't take much effort and you'll be very pleased with the results.

danno · Full Member Joined: Mar 04, 2006 Posts: 212

Buddy78SX650 wrote:

kingwj wrote:

Looking at the last picture I know why your front brake isn't working. A seat cover, little elbow grease and you are there. Enjoy.

LOL yea the front brake is stuck and the master cylender is shot so I took the caliper off until I can get those parts fixed. I have a seat on the way from anouther member here so I am making progress Very Happy

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Sounds as if the caliper pistons are pitted,preventing them from retracting. This was the case with the front brake on my 78 SE. I bought a set of stainless caliper pistons (front and rear) from a guy in Germany that makes them...less than $50 for the pair,including shipping.

Buddy78SX650

NateDogg wrote:

Here's a cheap tip: go to home depot, power tool aisle. get 2 sticks of ryobi polishing compound (red and white), get an arbor and a polishing wheel that will fit in it, put it in your drill and go to town on those cases. They will come out like chrome, don't waste your time buying hand polishes and crap until after you do this, then you can use it to keep the shine. I just took my whole bike apart for a makeover and used this method for my case covers, fork lowers, brake drums, upper tree...it doesn't take much effort and you'll be very pleased with the results.

Sorry I did not reply back sooner Mad

anyway thanks for the tip, I have seen several here that have polished the side covers and they look amazing.

Buddy78SX650

Oh I also got the new (used) seat installed and man what a difference that made, I forgot to take pictures but will try to get some up this evening. Anyone have any front brake components they want to donate or sell cheap so I can get this baby legal LOL?

xsleo

Have you pulled your caliper apart? Quite often a good cleaning is all they need. The master cylinder also, the only thing is it needs a special snap ring tool to get apart and back together.

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