drewpy

sorry but this section is for form issues not bike issues. I'll move it to the relevant section.

get these from image works http://www.bike-stickers.com/homepage.htm

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/classic-yamaha-motorcycles/1978-yamaha-xs500e-zmmz14ndzkel/ close

glad your bonding though, doing your own work can be very satisfying as you care more for your baby than anyone else can. If you can get those mesh covers on your seat, it should stop any pooling of water and hopefully keep you drier in the crotch area if that's what is happening

tracer sounds perfect

try these guys, check out the tank and side covers https://www.cmsnl.com/yamaha-xs500-1977-1h3-europe-1h228-198e5_model37276/partslist/0038.html

xs500 is a curious bike for sure, I think by the D model the head cracking was sorted

I've no idea, have a picture search on google and see what looks great then drill down into the specs

2 stokes need to back pressure to seal the incoming charge. whacking in the fuel via choke is just masking it. you need to carry out a plug chop, to ascertain the correct mixture and have a load of mains and pilot jets to change fuel delivery.

if battery is good, sounds like the starter is stalled or earthing out bringing down the voltage.

if its getting too much oil, it'll never rev. the engine will 4 stroke as the plug fouls up. My friend had a aprillia RS125 and never revved it. brought it to me as it had no power and I just revved the arse off it out of gear till the plug cleared and it was good to go. you can't dawdle on those things, they are built to be anti social.

I'd give it a go. make sure it mics out with thicknesses and lengths etc. nothing to lose really

I'm sure there's a chart somewhere online that states the equivalent aspect ratio.

check wheel bearings too can transmit through the drive chain