The 1980's were not the best when it came to putting sensitive electrical components in places where they would not come into contact with large amounts of water laced with road dirt, salt and everything else you could throw at them in the course of their service lives, which were undoubtedly shortened as a result! For example, I had a Kawasaki GT550 for 20 years and the CDI ignition unit was mounted on the frame downtubes right where everything off the front tyre would get thrown at it. Consquently I ended up having to replace two of these units, not because the units themselves failed, but because the connecting pins corroded away to nothing due to the really bad positioning of the unit and in spite of me religeously cleaning and protecting them in every concievable way! I guess British winter weather is not too different than that in New England!....😁 P.S. Good trick with the packing tape!...👍👍👍
You guys have awesome taste, an XS650 and an Ironhead Sportster with an S&S aircleaner and dragpipes aka my fav combo for an Ironhead. Just awesome i love it.
@@BugzyMoto Glad to hear it! i actually just bought my own XS650 Heritage Special, seeing you build yours how you wanted it definitely influenced my decision haha
Love XSs and have owned 4 of em. The last one had a Suzuki Bandit master cylinder for the front brake. Looked and worked a lot better than the original .
Great looking bike. It is a pity that Yamaha did not make a retro xs 650 for today's market. A lot of other makes have been successful and the Yammie 650 is an icon.
@@BugzyMoto I have a 1978 SR500 and can get just about anything I need for it from Yamaha thanks to their recently discontinued SR400 About 90% of the SR400 parts will fit the SR500, about the only things I can't get from Yamaha are parts for the rear disc brake that was only used on the 78/79 models
They kinda hit on this market with the XSR700, albeit a little more modern-looking than the XSR900 -- it's almost like the XS650 heritage is somewhere between those two bikes, looks-wise closer to the retro styling of the XSR900 and power-wise closer to the XSR700, which is also a two banga' like the XS650 so it is kind of a call back to the XS650
I bought a 1977 xs650 over 8 years ago. It was more of a parts bike than Id liked, but it was priced ok. The guy i bought it from said he hadnt had it running in the 8 or 9 years he owned it, and the previous owner said it has been just about that long since he had it going. So it hasnt been on the road in 24+ years. Hoping to get it going before riding season 2024.
Cool story! I wonder how long mine sat before I fixed her up. “They live on” as my father in law says 😊 You’ll have to come back here and let me know when it’s running!
Not trying to be rude or anything but if you have the stock carburetors they are Mikuni CV (constant velocity) and they do not have an accelerator pump on them so twisting the throttle to (prime) them does not do anything. Just an FYI. Glad you got your bike running again!
My wife had the black chrome and gold trim "Midnight Special" of that bike. I had the XS 1100 "Midnight Special" model. We ordered them both new and enjoyed many hours of riding together back then. Good days indeed.
Lucky find for me. Just subscribed. Two peas in a pod. Refreshing content. Humble thankful and funny. Keep making content like this youll keep gaining suscribers. Thank you both for sharing your time.
congrats from australia But do ur self a favour ,bag tag all screws bolts nuts makes life easy putting it back together no more rolling away... lol and have fun
Oh really? I didn’t notice it was an unusual pattern. I didn’t rebuild the wheels really, more so just cleaned them up. Are you actually rebuilding the spoke pattern? I’ve seen some vids on that and it’s so interesting, super intricate work!
@@BugzyMoto Yes, maybe its just because your bike is based on the later special version and mine is a 1975 xs650B, however, in UK many of the 1980 specials seem to have a spoke pattern similar to the one which is on my bike. I suspect that the rims would have to be drilled differently in order to change my spoke pattern. Anyway... your spoke pattern is quite a lot more attractive than the one I have. I have built wheels previously and its just a case of patience for the amateur like me, I think that a professional would be able to do the job 10 times quicker.
@@geofwassell Im not an XS expert but those rims look like the one's that were specifically for the Heritage Special which only America got, its double the spoke count i believe and the back rim is a 16" instead of a 19". Im actually about to buy one myself that got exported to here in Australia.
Thats a good looking and sounding xs 650... not every upgrade thats out there can be used on every xs. Depends on year and model. I got a 82 model. Not original anymore, cause that model of xs has hit every branch of the ugly tree falling down. Electronic ignition, gives a constant good spark. As i heard and read it also makes for a constant good combustion, witch means it produces more heat than originaly with points. It sometimes seems to run a bit lean. Tweaking the carbs for a bit more feul seems to resolf both probs. Did you have such a prob with your xs?
hey! happy to help - you buy the GN250 TCI on it’s own and then can grab an inexpensive set of plug ends on Amazon - email bugzymoto@gmail.com and Justin will send links and other goodies
@@BugzyMoto Good for you. It’s a must if you want to be independent. It’s about timing and technique more than strength or weight so you’ll be fine Show us your attempts and we’ll help if necessary🙂
That exhaust setup looks and sounds beefy, it sounds fckn tough when she revs it!! Good job enjoy it to the fullest!! CHEERS FROM EAST LOS ANGELES CA, RIDE HARD N RIDE SAFE!✌️😉👍🛵🏍️🎱💣💯💯🙋🏻♂️
Episode 5!
Success! 🎉🎉🎉
Glad you guys found the mod!
So glad you were able to fix that bike! :D Really enjoyable videos so far! Thank you.
It was touch and go for a second there! I’m so happy we didn’t give up. Thanks for watching:)
'Love the XS650's! 'Had 2 - 1974 models. 'Would love to find a nice, stock '76-'79 Standard.
Love that! They are such cool bikes
Definitely your father's son ..That's a compliment.
The 1980's were not the best when it came to putting sensitive electrical components in places where they would not come into contact with large amounts of water laced with road dirt, salt and everything else you could throw at them in the course of their service lives, which were undoubtedly shortened as a result! For example, I had a Kawasaki GT550 for 20 years and the CDI ignition unit was mounted on the frame downtubes right where everything off the front tyre would get thrown at it. Consquently I ended up having to replace two of these units, not because the units themselves failed, but because the connecting pins corroded away to nothing due to the really bad positioning of the unit and in spite of me religeously cleaning and protecting them in every concievable way!
I guess British winter weather is not too different than that in New England!....😁
P.S. Good trick with the packing tape!...👍👍👍
You guys have awesome taste, an XS650 and an Ironhead Sportster with an S&S aircleaner and dragpipes aka my fav combo for an Ironhead. Just awesome i love it.
haha thank you:) we really love our bikes!
@@BugzyMoto Glad to hear it! i actually just bought my own XS650 Heritage Special, seeing you build yours how you wanted it definitely influenced my decision haha
I had to do this mod earlier in the year. Works perfect!
Oh cool! Gonzo for the win 🏆
I love that bike!
thank you so much!
Love XSs and have owned 4 of em. The last one had a Suzuki Bandit master cylinder for the front brake. Looked and worked a lot better than the original .
Wow that’s so cool! I could totally see myself owning more than 1 of these bikes, they’re so fun 😃
Great looking bike.
It is a pity that Yamaha did not make a retro xs 650 for today's market. A lot of other makes have been successful and the Yammie 650 is an icon.
Totally agree! I’d love to get my hands on a newer XS650! Plus it would probably make replacing parts on my ‘83 a little easier 😆
@@BugzyMoto
I have a 1978 SR500 and can get just about anything I need for it from Yamaha thanks to their recently discontinued SR400
About 90% of the SR400 parts will fit the SR500, about the only things I can't get from Yamaha are parts for the rear disc brake that was only used on the 78/79 models
They kinda hit on this market with the XSR700, albeit a little more modern-looking than the XSR900 -- it's almost like the XS650 heritage is somewhere between those two bikes, looks-wise closer to the retro styling of the XSR900 and power-wise closer to the XSR700, which is also a two banga' like the XS650 so it is kind of a call back to the XS650
I bought a 1977 xs650 over 8 years ago. It was more of a parts bike than Id liked, but it was priced ok. The guy i bought it from said he hadnt had it running in the 8 or 9 years he owned it, and the previous owner said it has been just about that long since he had it going. So it hasnt been on the road in 24+ years. Hoping to get it going before riding season 2024.
Cool story! I wonder how long mine sat before I fixed her up. “They live on” as my father in law says 😊 You’ll have to come back here and let me know when it’s running!
Sounds lovely
Not trying to be rude or anything but if you have the stock carburetors they are Mikuni CV (constant velocity) and they do not have an accelerator pump on them so twisting the throttle to (prime) them does not do anything. Just an FYI. Glad you got your bike running again!
oh thats interesting and def not rude! thanks for sharing:)
Correct. I do believe the harley does have the pump so the idea of twisting to prime was carried over from it.
Good job guys 👍🏻
Now just be careful, ride smart 🏍
Deal! 😎
This pair is careful and smart lol it’s basically the rarest thing that Exists
I can relate mate my bike hasn't run in near 12 months but I hope to get it together in the next few weeks
Aw mann! Send you all the moto-luck!! 🍀
My favorite game, Where's Neutral!
haha I swear I've gotten better 🙈
I like your 650 and it sounds awesome.
Ride, refuel, repeat.
Johnny Boy
Thank you! Ride safe ✌️
That was one of my favorite bikes. My first street bike. The reason you had no ground is because the japanese put hot constant, and ground to activate
My wife had the black chrome and gold trim "Midnight Special" of that bike. I had the XS 1100 "Midnight Special" model. We ordered them both new and enjoyed many hours of riding together back then. Good days indeed.
I love that so much! Thanks for sharing:)
Lucky find for me. Just subscribed. Two peas in a pod. Refreshing content. Humble thankful and funny. Keep making content like this youll keep gaining suscribers. Thank you both for sharing your time.
Heyy thanks for the sub and the wicked sweet comment! Happy to be here 🌹
congrats from australia But do ur self a favour ,bag tag all screws bolts nuts makes life easy putting it back together no more rolling away... lol and have fun
Haha thank you! Good tip, you seem way more organized than us, stick around- we need people like you 😆
glad a girl is having fun i have 5 xs,s but no woman to enjoy with, and your mate has a great sporty too
Bugzy your bike really looks good 👍 You and your husband should do some rides together
😎Dave
Sweet looking bike and sounds awesome enjoy be safe
Thank you!! You too, be safe out there!
Cool, you both did it!
doing it usually takes 2 (or Moar)
Love the bikes!
Thank you!! 🌹
Very good
Kool dog😊
Have you changed the timing at all when you did this mod??? Asking for my sanity!
No, we didn’t! Are you still troubleshooting?
@@BugzyMoto the mod had already been done when I got my bike but it may be something else I’ve been all over the forums
Nice sporty t😊
thanks! it's a '78 that my dad and I built up from a pile of parts, literally in baskets
I am about to rebuild my wheels. I notice that you have an unusual spoke pattern in the rear wheel
Oh really? I didn’t notice it was an unusual pattern. I didn’t rebuild the wheels really, more so just cleaned them up. Are you actually rebuilding the spoke pattern? I’ve seen some vids on that and it’s so interesting, super intricate work!
@@BugzyMoto Yes, maybe its just because your bike is based on the later special version and mine is a 1975 xs650B, however, in UK many of the 1980 specials seem to have a spoke pattern similar to the one which is on my bike. I suspect that the rims would have to be drilled differently in order to change my spoke pattern. Anyway... your spoke pattern is quite a lot more attractive than the one I have. I have built wheels previously and its just a case of patience for the amateur like me, I think that a professional would be able to do the job 10 times quicker.
@@geofwassell Im not an XS expert but those rims look like the one's that were specifically for the Heritage Special which only America got, its double the spoke count i believe and the back rim is a 16" instead of a 19". Im actually about to buy one myself that got exported to here in Australia.
Bliss !
eye w0nder if this m0d wud wrk on my kawasaki ltd?
🤔
Kool yamahaper😂👍🏾✌🏾🤙🏾
Haha TY
Come si chiama questa bellissima moto?..è bellissima
Grazie ☺️ she doesn’t have a name!
Thats a good looking and sounding xs 650... not every upgrade thats out there can be used on every xs. Depends on year and model. I got a 82 model. Not original anymore, cause that model of xs has hit every branch of the ugly tree falling down. Electronic ignition, gives a constant good spark. As i heard and read it also makes for a constant good combustion, witch means it produces more heat than originaly with points. It sometimes seems to run a bit lean. Tweaking the carbs for a bit more feul seems to resolf both probs. Did you have such a prob with your xs?
My bikes a 82 heritage special, it came factory w electronic ignition. Haven’t had to adjust the carbs it runs a bit rich! But I like it!🌹
This is like a custom cruiser build?
GLP GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICE AT GUITTARGHHHHHH CENTAAAAHHHHH
EXIST
Did you buy each piece of the mod separately or can you buy the mod as a kit? Please get back to me ASAP thank you
hey! happy to help - you buy the GN250 TCI on it’s own and then can grab an inexpensive set of plug ends on Amazon - email bugzymoto@gmail.com and Justin will send links and other goodies
Looks like a xj650 killswitch
can you kick it yourself - it's a useful skill
I can’t but it’s definitely a goal, I’ll record the learning process. Definitely open to tips and tricks!
@@BugzyMoto Good for you. It’s a must if you want to be independent. It’s about timing and technique more than strength or weight so you’ll be fine Show us your attempts and we’ll help if necessary🙂
That exhaust setup looks and sounds beefy, it sounds fckn tough when she revs it!! Good job enjoy it to the fullest!! CHEERS FROM EAST LOS ANGELES CA, RIDE HARD N RIDE SAFE!✌️😉👍🛵🏍️🎱💣💯💯🙋🏻♂️
🙋🏻♀️ thank you so much!!