use XV535 virago gaskets on a XVS650 v star

[fatty JR]

Hello out there,

For the past week, I have been trying to trace a problem with my XVS650.

After replacing the front forks for a set off a XVS1100 (after a little machining) so I could have twin brakes up front, I got the bike out for a test ride and it started bellowing smoke out the rear cylinder. Basicly, I have done every I can think of without resorting to pulling the engine down for inspection (pity as it's only got 4500 miles on the odometer)

Anyway, I have priced up a full engine gasket set for the bike and they want nearly £200 ($320+) for the set which is BLOODY expensive. I have been searching for just the top end gasket set and NO-ONE I have spoken to in the uk does just a top end set. I can buy the individual gaskets from yamaha but works out the same price as a full set. Dennis kirk do one For $118

Well not being the type of person to be ripped of if it can be helped, I have been told that the 650 engine is basicly a bored out and stroked XV535 virago engine. I can buy a top end kit for the virago for £53 or a complete set for £43 ( don't know how that works).

Does anyone know if I could use the virago top end set on the 650?

[xv535]

You are correct. They took the xv535 engine and bored an additional 5mm to get 81 mm and stroked it by an additional 4 mm to 63mm. The result was a 649 cc engine.

I don't know if the top end gaskets will work but it seems reasonable to expect the top end gaskets for the 535 to fit the 650 given those changes.

Rocky

[KirriePete]

Given that the 650 has a 5mm bigger bore than the 535, I would expect the big hole in the middle of the head gasket to be 5mm too small - how steady are your hands with a Stanley knife?