XS750 Cafe. Doing it wrong, correctly.

Builds
1

So as some already know, I acquired a 78 XS 750 (with paperwork!) Sunday evening
It even came with a manual, brake rebuild kits and new EBC brake pads
This is basically what it looked like when I got it home, the seat wasn’t attached and I took off the tank.

I immediately started tearing into it and found some goodies, Hella H4 conversion, and a Uni filter.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536851_10150859718133276_783968275_9717508_1202992918_n.jpg

Then I changed all the fluids (it has separate oil for the engine and gear oil in the tranny and rear diff)

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/526091_10150859723253276_783968275_9717509_2137339047_n.jpg

The engine oil looked brand new, as did the gear oil.

I found and fixed some wiring, apparently the stator wiring dragged on the wiring at one point… all better now though

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581101_10150859712848276_783968275_9717505_646838121_n.jpg

This mofo is even kinda sorta shiny! and less dented than my other bike lol

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536523_10150859733603276_783968275_9717511_1929681290_n.jpg

Ordered some stuff and installed

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/546458_10150859728408276_783968275_9717510_354935603_n.jpg

And today, I put some gas into the lines that need replacing and kicked it. *To my surprise, the bitch started right up. *Hooray for electronic ignition and clean carbs!

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/523046_10150859739038276_783968275_9717513_180747620_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/389693_10150859744093276_783968275_9717514_533737442_n.jpg

Ewwwww!

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/149704_10150859744253276_783968275_9717515_160191814_n.jpg

Before/After

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/543047_10150859759558276_783968275_9717517_259561828_n.jpg

All back together

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/540447_10150859764638276_783968275_9717519_1024980204_n.jpg

So… I went and did something foolish…

Then I found an oven on the side of the road coming home from work so I picked that up and decided I wanted the ability to do at-home powder coating, and from there things snowballed

I started debating which direction to go, either Cafe or Bobber with this project, but considering the engine has more potential in my opinion and its not an XS650 I decided to build a Cafe.

Stock, boring, all there XS.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/208967_10150990389788276_331099913_n.jpg

Found some small issues
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/527820_10150990384613276_1080066947_a.jpg

Found out it has a Hella H1 conversion!
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/382374_10150990385253276_2091996152_n.jpg

changed the fluids, this is what came out of it
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/246556_10150990385563276_710429585_n.jpg

ordered parts
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/479719_10150990386088276_1133242893_n.jpg

clean stock tank
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/598535_10150990386448276_1484870746_n.jpg

cleaned the carbs and polished a bit
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/166054_10150990388408276_38970359_n.jpg

Got it running and riding
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/251920_10150990388648276_1221679130_n.jpg

did an inauguration burnout… :slight_smile:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/197667_10150990389243276_1698775193_n.jpg

found out my crappy camera takes pretty pictures
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/197631_10150990390723276_1936488683_n.jpg

found out all the brakes needed to be replaced.
Priced out the cost to fix it stock and it decided to go in a different direction… R6 rear brakes.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/562145_10150990391123276_473197969_n.jpg

dis-assembly
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/599093_10150990391338276_299775444_n.jpg

organization!!!
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/552967_10150990392378276_1135681148_n.jpg

labeling!
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/598373_10150990392628276_407066456_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/166089_10150990393028276_673262732_n.jpg

fabricated a mount for the rearset
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/532859_10150990393758276_1455582140_n.jpg

welded on some tabs for a plate to protect the intake from the rear time
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538168_10150990394038276_346612702_n.jpg

started polishing :slight_smile:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/598604_10150990394363276_1601911042_n.jpg

Got Headers?
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/250823_10150990398583276_1903955112_n.jpg

“Added Lightness, its how Planes fly” - Statics Professor
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/208898_10150990399083276_1372208597_n.jpg

Mmmm welding pr0n
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/527676_10150990400413276_1637829951_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/303578_10150990400618276_107438472_n.jpg

decided this was the best way to make the exhaust fit in the holes in the head, starting to rethink that decision
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/556151_10150990401313276_1593175471_n.jpg

center pipe
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/542418_10150990402268276_618535869_n.jpg

number one needs work so it matches the bends of the other two…
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/542511_10150990402553276_1962909080_n.jpg

rearset + Powder Coating
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285775_10150990436568276_600221053_a.jpg

started turning things to the right!
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/540569_10150990438493276_1163510974_n.jpg

Oh, and I built my own Clip-On’s. *Sadly made of very heavy thick mild steel, not aluminum
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/532824_10150990440913276_1433527479_n.jpg

As per Matt Gardner telling me I need to update my build thread.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/306396_10151087714588276_1355761677_n.jpg

pulled the motor, removed side cases for polishing
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/385550_10151087715168276_1888111675_n.jpg

painted the motor, installed stainless bolts
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/531220_10151087715568276_833979753_n.jpg

reassembly
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/388072_10151087715788276_641986400_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/304767_10151087716083276_1840561026_n.jpg

need to stay hydrated…
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581964_10151087716923276_447137562_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/423449_10151087717408276_1290536630_n.jpg

PBR catch can
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560987_10151087717668276_402465968_n.jpg

turn signals and mirrors are temp for inspection
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/425483_10151087718313276_1453552726_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/544041_10151417689153276_1272251409_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/306603_10151239028443276_1223261368_n.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151687136658276&set=a.10150990384038276.449889.783968275&type=3&theater

How it sits. Waiting for stainless brakelines all around. Possibly swapping the front end to this:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1014350_10151687138423276_1359366097_n.jpg

2

Who are you?

3

nice build man, the xs750’s are really awesome bikes!

4

:tup: good first post!

5

Oh right… My name is Frank.

I’m an Electrical Engineer, originally from some bumblefuck town 45 minutes between Albany and Saratoga, just moved to Syracuse and decided now that I’ve bought a house specifically because it has a garage I should finish my projects before I start on new ones.

Pretty much sums it up.

---------- Post added at 10:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 PM ----------

Other past projects for those who give a shit (or just like pictures in build threads…)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/148817_3401143482264_1834312715_n.jpg

(I’m the one without the big pole)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/393176_2773701106338_939589726_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/307705_2512792943797_1529133275_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/196708_215683128446388_7986022_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1011173_10151687136658276_596400698_n.jpg

6

Hell yeah dude!! I love this thread! More on the jolf?

7

Welcome, I just moved from Syracuse. Shitty timing, would have liked to have seen this or lent a hand.

8

I think this is just a focusinprogress troll account.

9

(I’m the one without the big pole)

That’s what she said…

10

LOL.

nah, whenever I use a fake name I go with “steve”.

11

Wait you know Steve? Hey Steve, whats up? How you been? Hows the kids?

Welcome! Interesting project you have there.

12

bump?

13

45 min between Toga and Alb? I grew up in CP/Waterford… went to Shen.

WhoRu?

14

I’m from Schaghticoke, I know a few people who went to shen but so many people did I’m sure you don’t know them. I was also on Roflwagens and used to drive a flat black mk3 if that helps. Moving forward: I did some work. Pics
https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1240577_10151864495163276_342748536_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/970203_10151864495553276_2113524054_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1235248_10151864496433276_1242992717_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1234337_10151864495893276_1514914016_n.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:20 PM ----------

The good:
Motor runs okay, idles like a bike with a cam, plugs look good.

The bad:
Ran inconsistently - seemed to be the carbs, they have mini screen filters inside the needle valve seats, really neat and they were all full of junk
Charging circuitry was not regulating - I could just buy a new rectifier/regulator but being an electrical engineer, I’m designing and building my own.
Second gear issue typical of these bikes, adjusted the clutch and went easy on it (which is tough because 1st gear is so damn short and the gear spacing is weird on this bike)
My homemade baffles held in by only one bolt decided to shit themselves out so I welded in a small muffler, going to cover up the ugly with a heat shield because it is right under your foot

Also,
Ordered new low rise aluminum bars, reassembled the front brakes, made stainless brake lines and working on making that tach mount less ugly. Its only temporary until I get a Trailtech Vapor digital dash. Other projects include designing a middle drive case chain drive conversion so I can use the matching rear Enkei wheel and ditch all the heavy shaft drive. All of these little finishing touches should be done over the winter

15

I like where it is headed. as for the carbs…have you sync’d them up with a manometer?

16

LOOKING GOOD!
What are you boiling the carbs with (chemical wise)

17

In the past friends and I have used Lemon Juice.

This time was just diluted simple green to clean them up before paint.

I have not yet sync’d them using a monometer, that’s on the long list of things to do in the spring when its all back together and ready to be ridden regularly.

18

that being done after valve clearance adjustment and cam chain tension adjustment should iron out most if not all of your issues. If you need to borrow one (sucks your so far away) I have a motion-pro 3-cylinder monometer specifically for these lol.

19

I already shimmed the valves when I installed the cams as well as the cam chain.

I will likely take you up on that offer in the spring.