Editing Yamaha XS650 Special

{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name             = [[Yamaha]] XS650
|image            = [[File:Yamaha-XS650SP-80--1.jpg|frameless|Yamaha XS650]]
|aka              = XS650 CX6, XS 650 CX6, XS650 US. Custom, XS 650 US. Custom, XS650 Special, XS650SE, XS 650 Special, XS 650 SE, XS 650
|manufacturer     = Yamaha
|parent_company   =
|production       = 1980 - 81
|model_year       =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            =
|engine           = Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      = 8.5:1
|top_speed        =
|power            =
|torque           =
|fuel_system      =
|ignition         = Battery, [[induction]] coil
|spark_plug       =
|battery          =
|transmission     = 5 Speed
|frame            =
|suspension       =Front: Telescopic forks <br>
Rear: Dual shock absorbers
|brakes           =Front: Twin [[hydraulic]] discs, 267 mm <br>Rear: Single hydraulic disc, 267 mm
|front_tire       = {{tire|3.50S-19}} 
|rear_tire   	  = {{tire|130/90S-16}} 
|rake_trail       =
|wheelbase        = 1435 mm / 56.5"
|length           =
|width            =
|height           =
|seat_height      = 785 mm / 30.9"
|dry_weight       = 210 kg / 463 lbs
|wet_weight       =
|fuel_capacity    = 11.5 Litres / 3.0 US gal
|oil_capacity     = 2.5 Litres / 2.6 US qts
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius   =
|related          =
|competition      =
}}



==Engine==
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 8.5:1 [[compression ratio]].  

==Chassis==
It came with a 3.50S-19 front [[tire]] and a 130/90S-16 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Twin hydraulic discs, 267 mm in the front and a Single hydraulic disc, 267 mm in the rear. The front suspension was a  Telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a Dual shock absorbers. The XS650 Special was fitted with a 11.5 Litres / 3.0 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 210 kg / 463 lbs. The wheelbase was 1435 mm / 56.5" long.  
== Photos ==
[[File:Yamaha-XS650SP-80--1.jpg|600px|Yamaha XS650]]
[[File:Yamaha-XS650S-80--1.jpg|600px|Yamaha XS650]]
[[File:Yamaha-XS650SP-80.jpg|600px|Yamaha XS650]]

== Overview ==



Yamaha XS 650 SE II






















The 650cc parallel twin from
Yamaha was originally launched (though not in Britain) in 1969, the same
year that Honda let loose the CB750. The two couldn't be further apart since
the Honda was clearly the 'new', the way forward for Japan, while the XS-1
was a copy of the British bikes the CB750 would destroy.
The irony is of course that the
'copy' also went on to survive and prosper long after the bikes it was
cloned from had disappeared.
It was based on the BSA 650
dimensions, with 75 x 74mm bore and stroke, but it also had chain-driven
overhead cam, it was soon to have an electric start and it had 36mm CV
carbs. The engine even looked good.
It was heavy, at a final 4671b,
and power was slowly strangled by emission controls down to 50bhp, but it
was torquey and didn't leak oil. On the other hand it didn't handle too well
but later models -and owner improvements - could and did make a lot of
difference.
The 650S custom version started a
whole new industry, and is probably the most common version you will find
today. Models still running should run for a while yet and will give you the
'character' of a British bike but far fewer of the hassles. Prices are
steady.

Models and Years

First produced as the XS-1, with
no electric start and with TLS brakes, a model never introduced to Britain.
The first one we saw was the XS-2, in Running & Riding 1975, in garish black and orange.
It had unshrouded forks and rear shocks and a single front disc, as well as
an electric foot.
The same year it was in turn
replaced by the XS650, mechanically similar if duller styled. In 1977 came
the twin-disc set-up at the front, which was reckoned to be less effective
than the single disc of the XS2.
In 1979 came the XS650S, a bike
which can be 'thanked' for the custom craze it inspired. It intelligently
reverted to the single-disc option but had stepped seat, cast wheels (a 16in
at the back), 2.5 gallon tank and sold for a very competitive £1399. As late
as 1982 this custom bike was still outselling all opposition.

Faults and Quirks

This was, and is, a fundamentally
tough motorcycle, let down by poor electrics, and handling that could
shorten your life. The duplex frame stayed as it was designed for nearly a
decade and wasn't realty that bad. The fault lay in the suspension and
bearings. The swinging arm bearings in particular were awful plastic,
through which a crudely finished spindle would grind its way. The best cure
is to polish the spindle and fit Teflon aftermarket bearings.
The ball-bearings in the steering
head were often loose (hard to believe but true), and had to be replaced
with tapered roller bearings.
The front forks were fine,
especially the XS650's, which had Teflon bushes, but most rear suspension
was soon replaced - Konis with 95-1251b springs were favourite.
It was said at the time that the
'stock ignition coils couldn't light a match', so a good kick - on the
kickstarter - was often needed to get the bike going. The whole ignition
system is often replaced by a Lucas Rita electronic set-up. Lucas coils were
often necessary, and the NGK B-7ES plugs need replacing every 5000 miles.
The engine is strong enough,
given oil changes every 3000 miles. Vibration can be pile-inducing, but the
bike doesn't self-destruct as a result The exhaust system does.
Check for camchain noise, as this
is a manually adjusted item, and listen for excessive clutch noise - fit
heavy-duty springs if you can find them. Also look out for split diaphragms
in the Mikuni carbs as they are prone to damage, and the engine will run
roughly as a result
The whole cycle was not that well
finished, with thin paint and poor lacquer on the engine cases. This is good
for knocking money off the price but can be remedied as you wish, either
chroming, stoving or just polishing.
Some people went for big-bore
kits, such as the 750cc Alf Hagon conversion, which is still available, and
the engine, particularly the bottom end, is quite strong enough to take it
{|  class="wikitable"
|- 
!Make Model
|Yamaha XS 650SE II
|- 
!Year
|1980 - 81
|- 
!Engine Type
|Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.
|- 
!Displacement
|653 cc / 39.8 cu in
|- 
!Bore X Stroke
|75 x 74 mm
|- 
!Compression
|8.5:1
|- 
!Cooling System
|Air cooled
|- 
!Lubrication
|Wet sump
|- 
!Induction
|2 x Mikuni BS34SU carburetors
|- 
!Ignition
|Battery, induction coil
|- 
!Starting
|Electric and kick
|- 
!Max Power
|39.5 kW / 53 hp @ 7200 rpm
|- 
!Max Torque
|54 Nm / 5.5 kgf-m / 39.8 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
|- 
!Transmission
|5 Speed
|- 
!Final Drive
|Chain
|- 
!Front Suspension
|Telescopic forks
|- 
!Rear Suspension
|Dual shock absorbers
|- 
!Front Brakes
|Twin hydraulic discs, 267 mm
|- 
!Rear Brakes
|Single hydraulic disc, 267 mm
|- 
!Front Tire
|3.50S-19
|- 
!Rear Tire
|130/90S-16
|- 
!Dimensions
|Length: 2130 mm / 83.9"Width: 930 mm / 36.6"Height: 1225 mm / 48.2"
|- 
!Wheelbase
|1435 mm / 56.5"
|- 
!Ground Clearance
|135 mm / 5.3"
|- 
!Seat Height
|785 mm / 30.9"
|- 
!Dry Weight
|210 kg / 463 lbs
|- 
!Fuel Capacity
|11.5 Litres / 3.0 US gal
|- 
!Oil Capacity
|2.5 Litres / 2.6 US qts

|}

[[Category:Yamaha motorcycles]]