mcspecial650

Right on---ride her like you love her We all know that you get better results from an old bike that a woman anyway!

It's a 2 stroke--- put it back together, and either it has spark or it doesn't Check for spark---Make sure you have fuel!! First two steps I'd be happy to help, let me know through here, or by email, or by phone. [email protected] 706-969-9600

I think that you could probably get your bike to run at 6000 rpms and not backfire. But I also think that unless you weigh 400 lbs, it's not necessary. If you want your bike to run a little faster, change a sprocket. If you want your bike to run a little smoother, clean the carbs, tank, and buy premium gas(it does make a difference in the dinosaurs that we ride) I really don't know why, but my bike(and probably yours too) runs much more comfortably on the high octane gas--and since we're getting 50-75 mpg---give it to her, it might be the best 60 cents you ever spent. jeff

I'm just a rider----, but it's hard for me to say, because, I'm a cruiser---never hit 5000 rpm's but anyway, if you're running that hard---I hope you have some hot burning plugs(NGK) don't buy the Autolite or whatever(of course this is purely my opinion, but if you're anything like me, you'd by the $4 plugs just to see) also, there is only one screw on the Carb that is adjustable without taking it off. If you know which side is backfiring, turn it in 1/8 of a turn, and ride it. See what happens. I'm definately no expert-- but please let me know what you figure out! Good Luck Jeff

Great Pictures!!! As far as the sprockets go, I'm going to simplify this the best way I know how! First of all, with scenery like that, you don't need to go over 45, but anyway, we all know you need to get there too! Let's start with just changing one sprocket: Everytime your enging burns, your countershaft sprocket turns... Try to think about in terms of a 10 speed bike, "how would that make my "cruising" speed change?" Most of us have ridden a ten speed bike(yes I know it's old school) in our time. Anyway, take the changes slowly, because one tooth in the front, and one tooth in the back can be much more than you expected!! Good Luck I hope you can ride those beautiful roads at any speed!! Jeff

Since I grew up riding, it is very easy for me to say that I never got hurt riding a motorcycle, but broke my arm on a bicycle. The difference was: I rode a bicycle whenever I felt like it, but when I wanted to ride the jr50(suzuki) I had to ask permission, be supervised, and most definately have a helmet on. The way that whole situation progresses is entirely in your hands. I hope you realize how important it is to ride WITH your children and show the basics. I learned to ride with my Dad who raced short track and TT Scrambles(which don't even exist anymore) but the important thing was that he taught me the basic rules by example. Good luck, Jeff

For the past few weeks, I've been working on a 1975 XS 650, and it seems to me that the bike(motor and carbs) really seem to scream out what they need. I can obviously tell when one side is running rich, and loaded up(by sound) and if I really want to get into it, I go to the exhaust, and you can tell who's running faster, hotter, or not at all. I guess what I'm trying to say is that these bikes have a way of telling you what you need to look at. If you've gotten to the point that you're considering buying these guages, then you already know that 30 year old carburaturs don't work like brand new ones, and that the guage will only tell you what you already know. For example, I know that one of my floats(in carb) falls a little slower than the other side. So when I've been cruising at 45 or 50 mph and let off for a while, I get a slight backfire. OK, I can live with that! My grandfather gave me this bike when I was 16, and I'm not going to "fix something that isn't broken". I will completely restore(piece by piece) this bike in the winter, but for now, I'm going to enjoy riding around in the clean mountain air. Good Luck, No disrespect intended. Jeff