What part would you like to see made the most at a reasonable cost for the XS?

[UncleSpot]

CHOKE LEVERS

choke levers ! I've tried using a local machinist - he has disappeared off the face of the planet...
I've got 2 bikes, and 2 extra set of carbs and ALL 4 of the choke levers are busted off !

[81xsproject]

good call on the choke levers

[rwtrail]

parts

How about a new wiring harness, brake rotors, master cylinders, guages, fuel petcocks, Complete Gasket sets, Since no limitation was put on our lists (Carbs)

[xs650mike]

Lets cut to the chase, what we need is everything that Mikes XS has for the 650. I mean the guy's got everything from performance cams to repro gas tanks, exhausts, chromed sidecovers, badges, wiring harnesses, fuse blocks etc. etc. etc. We need someone as dedicated and fanatical as Mike LaLonde. Cruising Ram, remember that big oaks from little acorns grow...I'm sure Mike started with just a few hard to get items and look what happened. Of course he was retired with time on his hands. Dunno if you're like him but we can hope can't we? I really appreciate that you're asking what the greatest needs are, that's a good start.

[Jerry]

Several parts come to mind. First is a better cam chain tensioner unit, one that won't strip out so easily. Tkat was investigating this at one point, don't know if it went anywhere. Second is engine mounting rubber dampers, which (I think) are no longer available from Yamaha.

Would also be nice to get a consistent source for SS brake lines; individuals have provided them in the past from time to time but they always seem to fade away.

Another member-supplied item, no longer available, is a gauge block for setting carb float height. These came in two versions, I have the XJ version but not the XS. Great for consistent setting of carbs floats. Looks like a flat, U-shaped piece of metal milled to the right thickness. Guy who offered them ended up, and may still be, in jail in Texas.

For us XJ guys, a replecement side stand switch, NLA from Yamaha, would be nice so we don't have to jump around it to get the bikes to crank. Along those same lines, the YICS tool would be cool for those who don't want to build their own. Since you can't synch the carbs without this tool, there are probably a lot of un-tuned XJs out there.

Reasonally priced carb boots would be nice.

[Geezer]

Kawasaki used a really slick self adjusting cam chain tensioner on the 1980 KZ zeries bikes. I have one that I'm planning to adapt for use on an XS11. However I only plan to make one. If it works, I'll post pictures.

Geezer

[CruisingRam]

So far, what I can practically make and get here, sounds like seat pans and choke levers. Sounds like an enthusiast makes most every thing else- I do have a set of side covers I could use as a mold- but damn, I can make those myself pretty damn good- I am pretty good fibreglass guy- they are that hard to find eh? 180 bucks a pop though- with the amount of labor, that may be as cheap as I could go making them myself- I have only looked into metal manufacturing in Russia, but I will see about Fibreglass stuff too- that is a very big "if" there!

[DeanR]

Choke levers would be great!

[strom]

Replica stock exhaust would be nice.
I would not put a russian big bore kit in my xs, I'd rather save it for a tank and get a wiseco.
Gasket sets are avaliable in europe rather cheap from www.louis.de or similar, check ebay for manufacturers.

Honda riders would love some brake rotors, exhaust systems etc.

Other than that.... I think there are not many places one can get complete set of connectors (male and female, for TCI etc) for a complete rewire of the bike. Goes for all bikes.

I would not put those self adjusting camchain tensioners on. It would stretch the chain too soon.

Definetly fork braces.

etc...

LP

[jacksf]

I also want to second (or third) the SS brake lines. I need 3 sets now and I would imagine it would be a great ebay item.

Jack

[ROCCET933]

side covers

I can make the side covers from pvc i would just vacuum form the plastic..
much less expensive.. and durable..
would not break like fiberglass..

[xs650mike]

Funny you should mention PVC. I made a replacement right sidecover in about 5 minutes using some glossy black vinyl material I had on hand for making guitar pickguards. I just cut it to shape with scissors, folded the top inch and a half and cut slots to hang it from the stock hooks. Used a paper punch to make a small hole near the bottom and secured it with a black twist tie to a handy frame tube. Had the bike up to 90 mph and it didn't blow off like the stock cover did. I'm estimating that I used about $0.75 worth of material. I also printed a sticker with my computer using the image of the XS11 patch from this site sized to fit and stuck it on in liu of a badge. Looks just fine, no one's yet noticed that it's not the stock sidecover. I'll put up a pic when I get around to taking one.

On this subject if someone would post a nice clear photo of a '79 Special sidecover with badge I could use the image to make repro badge decals. I would make these available to members for small cost. I could use photos of the various other badges for the same purpose.

[wanderersx22002]

parts to build

lower ring and pinon gear sets so we can run a little lower R P Mand get higher top end.

[Lamric]

Hi Cruisingram,

I reckon the forkbrace (both types, for specials and standards) is your best bet then the choke lever.

[gnevelesx08]

Headlights of course!
How about an H4 halogen bulb retainer for the 80G lens. Its p/n is 2H9-84371-00-00. Another option would be mount brackets to us a standard auto sealed beam. Have to get the specs from existing assy I don't think that STANLEY will be much help. I tried that route and was told that info was burried some where in archives.
Dan