Can't hardly wait!

hoagy · Full Member Joined: Jul 30, 2009 Posts: 27

Hi all, Hoagy here. total newbieto the xs650. I am soon to purchase one from a friend( if he ever gets off his but and gets it outta his uncle's garage!).
The bike has a oil leak from around the clutch pin, i am told. but other than that it has sat for 2-3 years. what should be some things i should do to it before i start riding it?
i was thinking your basics, change oil, plugs, lube chain, check brakes, check tires. am i missing anything? should i change the brake fluid(probably never has been done). any input appriciated.

thanks
Hoagy

gordonscott · Full Member Joined: May 06, 2009 Posts: 304

Hi Hoagy, welcome Smile

Youre list is on track but may want to add cleaning of carbs and tank. And aftor you are on the road for a bit you can start improving bike with new neck bearings and swingarm bushings and go from there. Good luck with your new bike Wink

p.s yes do brake fluid

oldbikenut · Posted: July 30, 2009, 7:11 am Post subject: Re: Can't hardly wait!

Welcome! Here's a link to help you get started.

www.650rider.com/index...pic&t=6798

hoagy · Full Member Joined: Jul 30, 2009 Posts: 27

just picked it up a few hours ago! put some marvel down the cylinders, it was sittin for 2.5 years. waitng on clutch rod, seal and clymers manual before i try to start it! its an '81, 16500mi, basic surface rust, feels like good compression. can't wait!!

hoagy

pumps · Posted: August 3, 2009, 10:06 pm Post subject: Re: Can't hardly wait!

Looks pretty good. You got a deal on it?

xjwmx · Posted: August 3, 2009, 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: Can't hardly wait!

Mine is an '81 special as well. A certain person here says the Specials look like disco bikes. But to me the standards look dainty. I have a luggage something like yours. They make the bike highly useful.

Another thing to check while you have the left cover off is the nut that holds the drive sprocket on. If it's not tight it can cause an oil leak as well. I thought my clutch rod was leaking but it was that.

y drive sprocket nut was very loose, ready to come right off. It holds its own locking tab on and they separated a bit. If it's loose, clean the threads with carb or brake cleaner and drench it with blue thread locker, and put it back on. Use a fresh area of the locking tab to bend over.

650skull · Support Staff Joined: Jul 19, 2007 Posts: 1186

Welcome, good find. look in the vault for a manual download under "Manuals", and have a look around while you are there

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Yamaha xs650