1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber---Welded Seat tubes

Muggs

Muggs

New Member
Hello All,

Well I've lurked for quite a while and recently been asking some questions leading up to THIS:
PurchaseDay-01.jpg


PurchaseDay-06.jpg

I bought this last Saturday for $400 and had it running Tuesday night.
With a few extras.
PurchaseDay-18.jpg

I'm going to make a softtail bobber and I'm going to need a LOT of help from the fine peeps here at DTT.
This guy started to restore the bike and put it into storage and... well you see what happened.
PurchaseDay-12.jpg


I also got a brand new battery that hasn't been activated yet.
I'm 53 and have a pretty good idea of how not to do things wrong, but that doesn't mean I know how to do it right.
So, the fun begins. Please comment on and add your wisdom to anything I post. I guess I'll also need a name for this scooter.

TTFN
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

The base is excellent. In Spain is very difficult to find that bike. I love the color and design of gas tank. Congratulations and good luck with the preparation
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Gsbobber said:
does that have a dial start switch?
Click to expand...

I don't know what you mean. The ignition switch or the handlebar mounted Off/Run/Off switch?

Muggs
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Gsbobber said:
the on/off run switch...is it like a dial? where its turned?
Click to expand...

It has three positions;

Off - left
Run - middle
Off - right

Does that answer your question? Maybe I'm just not understanding.

_DSC0002.jpg
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

I'm in the process of dis-assembly.

The PO bought this Triumph seat and modified it to fit the XS650. Is it worth anything to anyone? Could I trade it for a nice solo seat?

Triumph_Seat-1.jpg

Triumph_Seat-2.jpg

Triumph_Seat-3.jpg

Triumph_Seat-4.jpg

Triumph_Seat-5.jpg


More pix of the dis-assembly as I move farther along.

Muggs
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

im just sayin thats rare and crazy how the switch is...never seen one like it
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Tear down is complete.

And I actually got some work done! I was able to spend some time on finishing the dis-assembly and cut-off/sand down the rear mount brackets and the center stand brackets.

_DSC0042.jpg


_DSC0038.jpg



Now you see 'um...
_DSC0040.jpg


Now you don't!
_DSC0046.jpg


Next is the hard part; Lowering the seat! I need to spend much time measuring, marking, measuring again, measuring again...
I'm a feared!!!
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

welcome to DTT and congrats on the purchase. What a fantastic base to build off of. So jealous of your tube frame ;D
What are your plans and inspirations? I'm sure you know now is the time to add a little temporary bracing/jig if you have plans to make some heavy cuts.
I'm certain someone would buy the Triumph seat. Looks like it wasn't too modified by the po.
Looks like a fun project. I'm interested to see where you take her.
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Hey troybilt,

Yeah I was really happy to get this bike. This is my inspiration:

Vintage_Customs-Bandit-1.jpg


Vintage_Customs-Bandit-2.jpg


This guy is building some awesome stuff. You can find him here: http://vintagecustoms.tumblr.com/
I live in PA so I'll need front brakes (Yeah, DUH!) and a front fender. I really like the wrapped exhaust but I'll probably do a 2 into 1 and then a muffler.
I've done a lot of car related projects back in the day, but this is my first bike build, so I'll be needin' a LOT of help!
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Oh and yes, I do plan on adding some bracing before the "real" cutting begins. Thanks for the heads-up.
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Hey All,

Well it's finally starting to look like something.

Cut off all tabs in the seat area, the cross braces and shock studs.
08-26-10-06.jpg


08-26-10-05.jpg


Weld in a cross tube.
08-26-10-08.jpg


Next the uprights came off.
08-26-10-09.jpg
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Then a LOT of heat with the Turbo-Torch and some pushing by yours truly.
08-26-10-13.jpg


And then mock-up # 1
08-26-10-15.jpg


I'm lovin' the look! I'll be ordering some shocks and then I'll get those shock mounts, and uprights welded back in.
I ordered a solo seat pan from Birdmans custom seats and will be adding foam and upholstering the seat myself. Any advice on applying leather upholstery, or seat making in general, would be most welcome.
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Sure thing man. Good looking welds. Love the way she is headed. With the shock angle I think you are headed for you're going to need very stiff shocks. Also, I'd love to see you drop the front a couple of inches. Its pretty easy to do. I did a little write up on my build thread. I can search it out if you are interested.
I know you have a direction already but I had a thought while looking at where you're at now (this just a thought. I'm sure what ever you do it will be cool!). Anyhow you could run a little more vertical shock and have a killer look. The seat would follow the seat rails and hump up over the tire. Something like this: (like I said..just a thought. I think the thing that throws me off is using the shocks under the seat when a bike has suspension already. A form fitting seat would change that. Just my .02 which usually isn't worth too much anyhow ;D)
Bratstyle5_original1.jpg
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

I'd like to read about lowering the front end. Could you get me a link to your build thread?
I realize that what I have will be a very shallow shock angle and I pan on using Honda 250 Rebel shocks they're 10.5" eye-to-eye with 2.9" of travel and apparently very stiff, but I don't know for sure.
I will consider your idea. Maybe I could use the stock shocks and raise the end up (like what you show in the picture) and just fit the seat to the frame. HHMMM!!!!
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=10375.890
this should put you on page 90. Its about 1/2 way down. Its actually a pretty simple process but I'm not certain I wrote it that way. Basically you are putting a spacer under the dampening spring and that will pull everything down. Then that amount you place under the dampner spring (actually just shy of that so you retain pre-load) needs to be cut off the main spring. This is considered the poor mans way. It works pretty well but there are other ways to do it as well. Anyhow, if you have any questions feel free to ask. Also, Member 'Beatnic' does suspensions professionally. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to help out as well.

The pic I posted is not the best example but I really like the seat. Maybe I can find more inspiration for y
Troy
 
Re: 1979 Yamaha XS650 Bobber

Troy, Thanks for the link to the fork shortening post. I will most definitely be lowering the front by 2 or 3 inches based on mocking up tonight.
Kev, thanks for the clarification on konging (wasn't aware), although I still think I'm going with my original plan of a spring seat softail.

I know, I know, but I really like the look of the spring seat.

LOL, I was reading in another thread what tWistedWheels thinks: "I hate when people put sprung seats on soft tails! Stupid!".

Oh well, I guess I won't be pleasing 'all of the people'.
 
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