Howdy from NY

[Pabeye]

Hi All......I picked up a 79 "tired" XS about 2 weeks ago.  It's my second XS.I owned one back in 71.  This will be my second bike build, my was was a 78 Kawi 650.  If you are interested you cna see some photos here:  Reflections.

The Kawi was is worse shape in some ways than the XS is, BUT it RAN.  I am having all sorts of electrical problems with the XS...for starters, no spark at the plugs.  I will read through the threads and if I don't find an answer, I'll post on the appropriate thread.  Thanks in advance, and wish Me Luck!

Here are a few photos:

[madmax]

 Welcome Pabeye, you've got the makings of a nice machine there, anything missing is easily sourced from the Bay.

 I might be teaching granny to suck eggs here but an XS will not run without a fully charged battery in place so perhaps that's your jumping off point? If that doesn't do it then good luck with the fault finding. 

     
     Max

[Pabeye]

Thanks for the input Max ALL suggestions and help are appreciated.

First thing I did after I bought the beastie was to get a new battery (OK, it is a cheapo from WallyWorld) but it does put put 12.6 volts and I keep it on a trickle charger.  One weird thing is that When I test the voltage at the fuse box I get about 1 volt less that that, and YES the contacts and fuse ends have been cleaned.  everyting else works (except the headlight, may be the bulb)  signals, check, horn check, brake lights check.......no spark though.  I bought  new points and condenser, yet to be installed.

[yamimoto]

Welcome Pabeye. Just read your TOD story, thank you. Very entertaining. I have a friend with the same vehicle and will forward a link to him. Also read and enjoyed the KZ story, nice job. Looking forward to hearing more about the XS and how you bring it back from the abyss. As you have likely already found out there is an incredible wealth of information here, as are all the answers you will probably need. The people on this forum are extremely generous with their knowledge and time. My experience here is this; If one is willing to face the challenge and make the effort to learn what one needs to know, no matter what your level of skill, the people here are relentless in their efforts to help through the most formidable moments. When the urge to hurl a wrench through the nearest window is all consuming, put down the wrench, get your beverage of choice, find the forum and enter a world where the goal is XS harmony punctuated by stories, humour and camaraderie. You will likely return to the work bench feeling calm and confident with no window to repair.
Good luck with the '78.
Yamimoto

[Pabeye]

Thanks for the encouragement Yamimoto.  I'm gonna need it.  Old school electrics is not my forte, and who knows what problems I will face after that.  I was hoping she would run so I could get down to what I really like to do which is tearing it apart, getting rid of all the extraneous parts and building something I like the look of.  Maybe another bobber  like the KZ leaning more to the cafe side of things though.  Anyway I have to make sure she is a "runner" first!

[Pabeye]

One small step........I spent a couple of hours replacing the points and condenser and CAREFULLY adjusting the point gap........




GUESS WHAT! I got spark on both sides!........

Will wait for another day to dump in some fuel and see if the old beastie starts up.........fingers crossed!

[Pabeye]

I moved my comments to a more appropriate thread............Hope you guys will foll over here:

It started, but it;s SMOKIN!