update

[teck_mountain]

Happy to report that my Yamaha dealer will deglaze, do measurements and install the new rings on the pistons for me at a reasonable price.

So far cylinder head has been re done, new rings and rebuilt carbs. Sound like I'm getting close to a new bike!!

Couple of questions

1. Anything else that I should check for?

2. the diaphram in all four carbs was set at one below the factory setting on the rich side. I figure this may have been one issue causing the excessive carbon build up. what would the recommended setting be.

[skids]

I think there are 5 setting positions. Use the middle one for factory setting.

[skids]

Re: update

BTW, the settings on the slide needles are mostly for midrange richness. Carbon build-up could be caused by bogging the bike, running around in too low rpms, or a host of other things. I agree with you though...get the needles back to the stock position, start with clean carbs, and go from there.

[justyn.smith]

Carbon build-up could be caused by bogging the bike, running around in too low rpms

I've seem mention of this here and there throughout the forum, but I can't find any mention of the appropriate rev range for each gear. The problem (or should I say great thing!) about the XS is they're SO powerfull they pull from any gear at any speed without seeming to struggle.

Perhaps if some viewers would post their usual rev ranges/gear preferences for different speeds/riding styles this would be of help to us newbies?!

TIA!

[MartyA]

On my 78, there appears to be two areas of the power 'coming on', around 3500 and again at around 5800, when the front wants to launch. For general no-hurry cruising, I shift around 4000, and in fifth 55 is just below 4000. In a 45 MPH zone, I can keep it in 5th or drop it into 4th for a long speed zone. Generally I try to keep it above 3500.

Plugs are usually just a little dark gray when I change them each spring.

There might be some recommended shift points, but there are lots of combinations that go into each bike - jet sizes, float levels, indy filters or air box, 4-1 exhaust or 4-2, Speed Racer driving or just road cruising - that would dictate whether your plugs foul or not.

I could imagine fouling the plugs somewhat driving on a busy two lane at 55 if the floats are a little too high, and you have big jets and standard air box, typically a 'rich' setup. You could also load up the plugs in city driving, idling at lots of stop lights, even with indy filters, 4-1 exhaust, and standard jets, typically a 'lean' setup.

Probably the best thing to do is set your carbs to the middle float setting, get the correct jet sizes according to your set-up, do a couple of throttle chops at different speeds and see what your plugs look like. Then the toughest part , ride for a while and see how it 'feels.' Then come back here for more answers.