gf wants her own ride

[Blank Slate]

Yes, specific gravity @ 1.265 would be a good battery. However, charging that battery, you should see that battery charge higher than 12.6v. I'd put a hydrometer on each cell. Or, I would load test it. I do think it's shot.

But, I don't think the battery is your only issue. I think your carbs are gunked up.

I just bought the bike and have yet to look in the carbs. Definitely on to do list.

[Blank Slate]

and the bike works again.

I think the choke not being up was the reason it didn't work on day 1, and it didn't work on day 2 because I used the PRIme setting too much which flooded the carbs. I simply waited a day for the flooded carbs to clear up and voila!

[IanDMacDonald]

Lol, you should always be able to start the bike and run it on Prime, as-long as your needles and valves are fine. You need to clean and inspect your carbs.

[puskrat]

When I first ventured into vintagedom, I decided an XS650 was the way to go. Coworker found out he was ripping himself off selling me his for US$250, and backed out. If the bike above had been available in my area, I would not be on this website today. 650s do tend to be pricey compared to machines of similar size and pedigree, but that seems to be because they are so mod-friendly. The market (you/me/us) has decided the extra value is there because the parts and accessories are there. Obviously, condition is key.

[jetmechmarty]

I'm thinking about turning one of mine into a dirt scrambler.

[Blank Slate]

The XS650 is pretty good at shaking a flooded wet cell battery to death. An AGM battery is a better choice.

Yes after another week of bike not starting I bought a new agm battery. charging it now and we'll see if the bike starts.

Related to the starter issue, there are other things to check besides the carbs on this bike. Here are my notes:
-Replace fuse holders
-Check brushes for corrosion
-Ignition swtch remove and clean
Stator - ignition switch - stator
Check the resistance between the rings with the brushes out, it should be right at 5.5 ohms.

No clue how to do the above since my manual is written by an alien.

[Blank Slate]

Spark plugs are looking very black. One is all dried up with black stuff, the other has what looks to be black oil on it.





The manual of the xs1100 says a carbon fouled spark plug is caused by weak ignition, dirty air cleaner, too rich fuel mixture or excessive idling. Hmmmm.

[Blank Slate]

So I clean the spark plugs with carb cleaner and metal brush. The bike wants to start, strong battery, and finally it started and I started giving it throttle then was a huge boom! Like a firecracker had gone off under the bike. Grey smoke. What the frig???

[Blank Slate]

The pop came feom the engine and the smoke was coming out of the header/engine area. See pics

[Blank Slate]

Mikuni Bs38 questions

Cleaning the carbs on the bike. Ian McDonald will be happy

1: Would you replace these float needle valves? They have a rusty feel on the outside but appear fine on the the inside.


2: I was cleaning the needle jets and the rubber washer? disintegrated. Is this something I pick up at the hardware store, buy new jets, or what?


3: Is it time to replace these gaskets? They feel very hardened.

[IanDMacDonald]

Answers to all three:
1 If they are functional and pass the leak test, then no-need to replace them. Many swap them out for the vitron(sp?) one's.

2 I can't think of what you're talking about. Neoprene or vitron is what I'm thinking? White in color? Unless they're warped or whatever, then you should be good. Not sure if those washers are available or not. Can't really picture them.

3 Don't worry about them. Never replaced any on any carb bank ever. Tighten those carb bowls down, and you're good. Any leaks from carbs are almost always caused by the needles sticking, and fuel flows out the vent tubes.

[Blank Slate]

Answers to all three:
1 If they are functional and pass the leak test, then no-need to replace them. Many swap them out for the vitron(sp?) one's.

2 I can't think of what you're talking about. Neoprene or vitron is what I'm thinking? White in color? Unless they're warped or whatever, then you should be good. Not sure if those washers are available or not. Can't really picture them.

3 Don't worry about them. Never replaced any on any carb bank ever. Tighten those carb bowls down, and you're good. Any leaks from carbs are almost always caused by the needles sticking, and fuel flows out the vent tubes.

THanks Ian,

Re #2, the rubber thingy looks like this

[Blank Slate]

carbs were nasty on the outside,
http://tinypic.com/m/j13sr6/2

now they look shiny thanks to gasoline and a paint brush
http://tinypic.com/m/j1525i/2

[IanDMacDonald]

carbs were nasty on the outside,
http://tinypic.com/m/j13sr6/2

now they look shiny thanks to gasoline and a paint brush
http://tinypic.com/m/j1525i/2

Ooooh oooooooh ooooooooooh!!! U just showed your age, lol. A definite no-no in my book staying safe, and that's cleaning with gasoline. I get it, believe me. My dad did it when I was a kid in-front of me. But, Berryman's or anything else is much cheaper, and much safer to use. Not ragging on you, but I don't think that was a good message to spread.

[Blank Slate]

Have you seen my screen name?
I saw a carb cleaning video and they said gasoline was fine. Besides I completely sprayed the carbs with carb cleaner spray after, and it will be days before I'm riding again. But I hear ya, gotta keep safety always in mind.