First timer - Simple Questions

Yamaha XS 850 discussion forum:


First timer - Simple Questions

First timer - Simple Questions 
Puebles said 2005-10-27 12:34 
 
Wife said I should get a bike. I found this 1980 Yamaha XS850 in good shape. Got a very good deal on a solid bike with a few problems. The bike was difficult when cold and I could hear it missing or mis-firing.

There were actually three problems with the bike that I found and fixed in the first week. First, I cleaned the air filters that looked as they were coated in molasses. Second, I fixed the seal on the gas tank that allowed condensation to occur. Finally, I found and replaced the broken sparkplug wire that caused the missing. Guy I bought it from later confessed that he just kept replacing plugs but couldn´t stop the problem, hehe. Turns out the elbow of the connector split and was arcing. There was always a spark but it diminished under torque as the wire pulled.

Anyway, This bike, and possibly anyone that I started on, has sparked a passion I have heard and seen in others. If not riding, I am thinking or talking of riding. Well, its a bit cold these days but I still get the bike out on clear days. But soon that will end for many months. So, I am thinking of doing some major work on the bike.

My goal is not to refurbish the bike or to chop it to my ultimate desires. I would simply like to strip the bike to component parts; clean, refinish and re-build. I have found two available manuals one by Clymer, the other by Haynes. Does anyone have experience with these manuals? Others? Advice for someone contemplating this project?

PS, my skills are that of a back-yard mechanic from the age of this bike. I have the work area, tools, time and a few general technical advisors. I assume this project is only as big as I make it. I have assisted in rebuilding car engines and have a small engine mechanic to assist (occassionally). Should I tear the engine down also? The bike runs good but how do I know if it is as good as it should / could?
 
 
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