Since my 73 TX650 cafe bike is pretty much done, I have been collecting parts to get started on my 1978 XS650 brat project. The bike is a standard model that I picked up this spring from a buddy for $40. A bit of a basket case at the moment. He started to rebuild the motor in the late 80's and never finished. He built race cars and was very careful working on stuff, so all of the parts are in boxes and he bolted the motor back together before giving up on it LOL. I have been meaning to take pictures of it, and keep forgetting the camera when I am out at the shop. I'll be sure to post up some pictures as I get started later this week. Also going to finish up my brothers CX500 cafe bike this week.
Here are accouple pictures taken while digging the bike out of my friends garage:
I've already got the parts needed to get the motor rebuilt....which will be project one. Going to paint the heads and case and polish the sidecovers. Once the motor is done, I will be cutting the frame and making a drop seat section similar to this bike:
The bike originally had an 18" rim in the rear, but my friend relaced it to a 16". Good for me, as I can run a nice Firestone Champion 16-500 fatty rear tire now!
These are just a few of the ideas in store for this bike! Not exactly a cafe racer, but will compliment the TX650 nicely!!
Here are accouple pictures taken while digging the bike out of my friends garage:
I've already got the parts needed to get the motor rebuilt....which will be project one. Going to paint the heads and case and polish the sidecovers. Once the motor is done, I will be cutting the frame and making a drop seat section similar to this bike:
The bike originally had an 18" rim in the rear, but my friend relaced it to a 16". Good for me, as I can run a nice Firestone Champion 16-500 fatty rear tire now!
These are just a few of the ideas in store for this bike! Not exactly a cafe racer, but will compliment the TX650 nicely!!
