Keno and me got out to Aberdeen today to visit a guy who had an XS650 engine for sale. Turns out this guy used to own one of the biggest Salvage Yards in BC. When he moved back to Saskatchewan a few years ago he filled 4 or 5 Semi trailers with his GAk and came Runnin' back to Saskatoon. He's got a quansit full of all the side covers, fenders, carbs, engine cases, and "complete" engines you could imagine. Then he's got two semi trailers full of gauges, speedos, tanks, and other crap. Damn. (sorry for the crappy cell phone pics)
Turned out he had about 10 XS650 engines most missing this or that, but near complete. I found one that looked pretty clean and complete and made the guy a deal. I'm now the proud owner of a '77 XS650 lump and another set of carbs. Now, although it looked pretty good on the outside it was weather seized having spent a few years in a field. Keno and I got it back to my place and we decided it'd be the perfect inaugural project for the new Tiny Garage out building.
First we tried kickin the shit outta it to get it unseized. put some oil down all the holes etc first. No Luck!
Next we put it in my old 650 frame to get more leverage and kicked the shit outta it again. No Luck!
So then we got serious and just tore the top end apart. Heh heh heh. Couldn't be helped. Our curiousity got the best of us. Mostly good news. Lots of clean spaces with oil still on them and only two mousey stashes. But... we did find the seizure...
Oh my. Well, one cylinder was pretty crusty so I've got some WD-40 working it's way down from the top'a the piston. (don't have any other penetrating oil or Diesel on hand) We'll see...stay tuned for the continuing saga...
what did that guy charge you for the lot?
ReplyDeleteIf you mean how much he wanted for all 10, it never came up.
ReplyDeleteHow many $$$ for that large morsel in your shed? FYI: You can rent jackhammers at Home Depot.
ReplyDeleteHonda stuff too? Decent prices? Looks like better shopping than at the Hillbilly's.
ReplyDeleteBuck fiddy with the carbs after some gentle, yet convincing haggling. Oh my yes, honda too! WAYYY better than hillbilly haven. He knows what its worth for sure so you won't walk away with an arm full for $5, but I feel I got a fair shake for sure. Nice guy too. He's got an ad up on Kijiji, Graham's his name.
ReplyDeleteso.....wat'er ya gonna build now? (besides a motorcycle with a 650 engine and likely a springer front end with a spoolie)
ReplyDeleteHave you mentioned the new project to the mrs. yet?
Well I'm not entirely sure. For now, I'm just buildin' an engine. Carole's okay with the projects so long as I don't bankrupt us.
ReplyDelete