|
Post by ticass1 on May 8, 2016 20:38:24 GMT -5
i tried to boost my 1980 xs 650 but i put the cables on the opposite posts and blew something. I am hopping it is just a fuse. can anyone tell me where to find the fuse or let me know what to do.
|
|
|
Post by richard on May 9, 2016 11:55:53 GMT -5
The fuses are under the seat. Look for any blown fuses and replace them check the battery to see if you have 12 volts. Turn the key on to see what does work, Neutral light, Horn. Tail light,Turn signals, they should all work. A lot of times the headlight relay won't come on until after its running. If everything seems ok try to start it with the kick starter, by giving it two or three revolutions with the key off and then turn the key on, and when you kick it, it should start.
The electric starters on the xs650s are not that good. XS650s make a lot of compression, which is hard on the starting circuit, so I always start mine with the kick started the first time each day, after they have been running,then I use the electric start. Boosting a motorcycle with a car battery is asking for trouble. Some car batteries can make 400 amps, which is enough to weld with. Certainly more than enough to fry your entire starter circuit on your bike, and then some. An XS650 won't start with a dead battery, and running a weak battery on an xs650 for a long time can burn out the rotor in your generator.
|
|
|
Post by ticass1 on May 9, 2016 16:17:38 GMT -5
thank you Richard your suggestions are very helpful appreciate the fast response
|
|
|
Post by richard on May 9, 2016 21:26:38 GMT -5
No problem, I hope it's just a fuse.
|
|
|
Post by spareparts on Jul 13, 2016 18:06:06 GMT -5
Howdy there new friends! This is my first forum and also first xs650! I have to say so far I love the bike and I'm a huge Yamaha fan! I was wondering on these xs650s what has to be modified to be able to us the kick starter if the battery dies? If yall can help or point in the right direction that would be amazing!
|
|
|
Post by richard on Jul 23, 2016 22:09:18 GMT -5
If the battery dies you're pretty much out of luck, because the rotor on the generator is an electromagnet. The other issue is that running with a really weak battery tends to fry the generator. Actually the generator on the XS650 is an alternator, with a rectifier that changes alternating current to direct, current 12 volts DC. There are ways to run an XS650 without a battery, but they involve a lot of changes to the charging system and the use of some very large capacitors. The changes are a little to extensive to address with one comment, but there are plenty of documentation on many forums about the XS650 online.
|
|
|
Post by grizld1 on Jul 24, 2016 8:17:53 GMT -5
Right! The current fad is to install permanent magnet alternators. In my experience this modification trades one set of problems for a different set. The only serious vulnerability of the OE charging system is the alternator rotor; age weakens the insulation of the windings, leading to loss of resistance and failure to magnetize or even to a dead short. The cure is a rebuilt rotor from Custom Rewind of Birmingham, AL; you'll get a rotor that's superior to the original. Don't even think about a new Chinese repop. Now here's the bottom line: if you don't like the idea of maintaining the battery and charging system, you're not going to like the rest of the chores involved in keeping an old motorcycle on the road.
Richard, re. the starter, that motor is plenty strong; it spun a modified engine (700 cc. at ~10.25:1 CR) just fine for years, as it continues to do for my current 700 cc.9:1 top end; and due to a damaged right leg, I use the button only. The starter spins the engine briskly even at winter temperatures. The main problem with weak starter performance is that Yamaha used undersized cables and ground strap. It also pays to crack the service manual and follow the instructions for cleaning up the starter motor innards.
|
|
|
Post by richard on Jul 27, 2016 15:19:33 GMT -5
Thanks grizld1
I agree that the starters have enough power. That first kick starting is more related to my cheapness than anything. I do that to try and preserve the windings, and the battery, however incremental different it would make. Which is probably not much. My starting procedure on kick starter bikes is, two kick starter revolutions with the key off to prime it, then turn the key on and the next kick usually starts it, year round. I got into that habit starting old Triumphs and Harley's because back in the early days that's all I could afford, and they were made from boxes of stuff the was very used back then. LOL I'll have to admit on the silver XS650 there are times when it's cold and I'm tired that I just pull out the choke half way and lay into the starter button until it starts. With my 1971 XS650 which is my favorite bike of all time, what occurs to me is that due to health reasons they have me keep my weight lower my weight. At 190 the kick starter is no problem, but at 170 pounds kicking the bike through when it's cold may be an issue as I get older. I have three XS650s, so I could do some engine swapping, but then that 256 engine is pretty unique in all the ways I like, so I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
|
|
|
Post by grizld1 on Jul 31, 2016 18:14:59 GMT -5
Yep, old age is a bear. When I was in my 20's and tipped the scales at 125 with gear on I could fire up a 55 c.i. Harley flathead or 650 cc. Triumph at 10*F with my boot (had to; no electric foot on those bikes, and no other wheels). Until I got a matchsticked femur and broken hip in '98 it was no problem to fire up an XS650 with boosted compression, but now it's so much fun that I pulled the kickstart assembly out to shave off a little weight and plugged the case.
|
|
|
Post by richard on Jul 31, 2016 20:11:42 GMT -5
I made a guy some kick starter plugs the other day. Seems like it wasn't long ago starter delete was all the rage. I had a kick starter assembly out of one engine for that project and it does feel like it weighs a few pounds, so that makes perfect sense to me, if you have the electric option.
|
|
|
Post by gpaws1968 on Nov 23, 2023 10:51:50 GMT -5
Hi all,
So my starting saga continues on my 1981 XS650, if I start it with the starter it turns and turns over fires up and battles to stay running and if it stalls it's best to just let it sit for 5 minutes, but if I kickstart it fires up. The battery is fine at 12 volts.
|
|