amockalypse 6 Posted September 15, 2019 My wife is away and I did something stupid/brilliant... bought a plated xr650r, aka the best bike ever freakin manufactured! (sorry but it's true!). I love the power-to-weight, durability, simplicity and low maintenance costs of the xr650r. Its clearly been ridden hard but has some trick parts, including: -Mikuni HS40 - submount steering damper and upper triple -excel rims -globetrottin steel subframe (super stoked about this) -worked suspension -baja designs d/s kit -giant loop saddle bag -uninstalled brand new trail tech 8" round headlight. (not sure I like it - I might sell this) I owned an xr650r in the past, which I machined sportbike wheels to fit (kind of a PITA) to make a fun motard, and rebuilt the motor using kibblewhites to prevent the tuliping of the stock valves. I wanted an xr650r but could never find one that was as nice as my last build. This bike is nicely appointed and I'm happy -- as long as the motor has been treated nicely and I'm not going to need to tear it down soon... When I picked it up the bike would start but not idle, so last night I got home and cleaned the carb- it had a typical clogged pilot and totally stuck accelerator pump plunger, which I soaked overnight with a cocktail of PB blaster and wd40, and then used the air compressor to blow out this morning. The jetting is 25 pilot 150 main. Holy guacamole the pro circuit t4 is loud! Like it sounds like I am just running the header - I think I will probably need hearing aids after listening to this bike run for 30 seconds! I had the intention of repacking it last night but one of the endcap screws was seized and it really battled me tooth and nail when I tried to get it out using easy outs and some other dirty garage tricks. Wasting quite a bit of time just getting the endcap off, and then confronted with some conflicting advice on what to do next (I've never repacked a t4) I lost motivation to repack it and it might just have to have the end cap put back on and give me a bad reputation in my little apartment complex. Anybody repacked a t4 and want to hold my gumby hand while I give it a go? Cold beer anyone? I ride with earplugs in always anyway, so it won't bother me, but I'd prefer not to piss Joe Public/Johnny Law off. Any advice on repacking these greatly appreciated. My intentions for your daughter this bike, is to ride her hard every day! ;-P Mostly commuting to school and work and then down to baja once a month or so. This will be an 80/20 onroad/offroad steed, and so it will be shod appropriately. I have a used pirelli mt90 scorpion at front and I'm thinking of getting the matching rear, (anybody got a used 80/20 rear I can throw on the back?) although the seller gave me a decent used mefo super explorer 150-70-18 that might fit. The rear rim seems like its slightly off center in the SA so I am considering whether its worth trying to retrue it so its centered and this will give me more space for big rubber. Anybody got a truing stand and like cold beer? I am mega stoked on the steel subframe! I don't think you can buy these anymore, and its solid! The giantloop saddlebag is killer but I'm concerned about it being burned by the exhaust. Any suggestions on how to keep it from chernobylling would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking of just buying a big scooter top box to put on the rack and using that- anybody got one for sale? My last bike had a tall seat on it, and being 6 foot 7, I was happy to have it. I'm currently looking for a deal on a tall comfy seat so I can do long trips in comfort. I've ordered a 15t front sprocket to make riding the so cal freeway slab less taxing on the motor. Should I get an after market case saver? My last BRP had the oil sight mod- anybody done this mod and want cold beer to walk me through it? I can't wait to start riding this big redheaded monster! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 887 Posted September 15, 2019 Looks fun, get out and enjoy it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 187 Posted September 15, 2019 Congrats dude, you’re back in the game👍👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken S 164 Posted September 15, 2019 Congrats. Desert seasons coming soon. Giant Loop makes a heat shield that you hose clamp to the muffler. You can probably make something. Looks like this. I can’t help with the muffler. Lets ride sometime Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amockalypse 6 Posted September 15, 2019 Thanks for the heat shield reccy Ken! Stoked to ride baja with this! I have been driving down there and the border crossing line in a car always harshes my mellow super bad. I enjoy rock climbing down there, anybody else a climber? I rode a honda thumper from London to Nigeria, and again down around central america. South america calls out to me and this bike makes me ever more tempted. First though I need to finish being a school fool! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simicrintz 177 Posted September 16, 2019 Good for you; congrats!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oracle 195 Posted September 16, 2019 Sure seems like whoever owned it last had it set up for Baja. Hopefully it turns out to be a bad ass mosheen.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amockalypse 6 Posted September 17, 2019 I put on a cheapo pelican knock off for commuting... it was already in my garage and the perfect size for books/computer. I am thinking about fabbing up removable side racks and installing hard cases on the side eventually; this bike just does not scream "adventure grandpa" loud enough yet! I repacked the exhaust- its much better, although still loud. One of the end cap bolts was effed, so it got replaced with a rivet. Also, put a 15 tooth CS sprocket on. Looking for a 70/30 rear tire for it now, to go with my ready to install scorpion mt90 at front. Any suggestions? Any freebies or cheapo take-offs? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken S 164 Posted September 17, 2019 I have a set of Continental Twin Duro’s. Take off’s from my KTM500. Approx 25 miles on them. Free. Pick up in Alpine Kenny. 619-922-4554. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amockalypse 6 Posted September 17, 2019 Kenny, you are a prince! I have some dirt tires if you are interested in having in trade, and definitely beer! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bp619 104 Posted September 17, 2019 Xr650r commuter huh?!? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amockalypse 6 Posted September 17, 2019 4 hours ago, Bp619 said: Xr650r commuter huh?!? Yep, see second line of first post. "I love the power-to-weight, durability, simplicity and low maintenance costs of the xr650r." I love xrs. I also am very tall and like the ergos. Also I like that they can take me anywhere. Yep, Xr650r commuter yahuh! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amockalypse 6 Posted September 27, 2019 Big thanks to kenny for the tire hookup! As of last night, running 15/42 sprockets and she feels good. Definitely not too tall. I also wired in a speedo and acewell computer I had in the parts bin. yesterday I also bought some givi racks made for a dl1000 and I would love to do some fabrication to get them to fit my subframe. Anybody want to rent me their garage and tig welder? I’ll bring money for gas and supplies and beer... the dialing-in process continues! my buddy got jealous of mine and bought a plated xr650r, so that will be fun to have a riding partner who also rock climbs to explore the rocks of Baja with. Also, I splurged and Got myself some new motion pro tire irons for my Baja tool kit. They are trick! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 187 Posted September 28, 2019 You might give Justin at Nomadic racks a call about your racks. http://www.nomadic-racks.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amockalypse 6 Posted September 28, 2019 Thanks again Jim! I’ve not got them money for a commercial solution. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
97xr400r 122 Posted September 28, 2019 Yeah, 650r! -Keep an eye on the right side footpeg mount, the stock bolts are not strong enough. They flex just enough to allow the frame to get rounded, bolt cyclic fatigues and... Snap. Known issue. Not fun on a big ride. I had to grind the frame peg mount surface flat and perpendicular. Once the mounting surface was restored true I installed ARP bolts and proceeded to tighten them to OMFG spec. This fix has been holding up for years. - Also once your valve adjustment interval gets below 800 miles it's time for a valve upgrade. The stock intake valves are soft and sink into the seats. Another known big miles problem. I'm in the middle of addressing this issue... rebuilding the head on mine... Time for a little more compression and cam duration 🔥🌎🐖 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amockalypse 6 Posted October 4, 2019 Installed some eibach springs and a tall seat. Getting it dialed in! Thinking about a Baja trip in a 2 weeks. Also, I have an extra airfilter side cover and 30 mesh and I’m thinking about doing the high flow mod. Does anybody have this? Any opinions? Still looking for somewhere I can tig weld my pannier racks. Any suggestions? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSM8 360 Posted October 12, 2019 You know how to tig or looking to have it tiged? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amockalypse 6 Posted October 21, 2019 On 10/11/2019 at 11:50 PM, DSM8 said: You know how to tig or looking to have it tiged? Hey, just saw this- I've been slammed with school. I know how to tig, have a certificate on the wall that says so anyway. ;-P I have a hookup though, I donated bunch of tools and materials to a tradeschool and the head honcho says he will get the students to fab everything for me. So far I've been using the Giant Loop great basin, which feels light and safe, but obviously doesnt hold as much as boxes could. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
