Done...for now - 1973 TX650

[MN_TX650]

I still have some little things I want to do yet this summer (install my rear-sets), but I put 100 miles on it this weekend, and it is running great! Will powder coat the frame and finish cleaning up the motor next winter. Took a little longer than I had planned on, but worth every minute of it!!

Before:

And the after:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEj9MtBTgsA

And "The List"....my wife really loves this part ;D

~New wheel bearings, seals, and tires front and rear as well as new brake shoes and pads, lines, and a rebuild on the front caliper
~Polished and Rebuilt forks with new tubes, seals, and dust boots and a straighter TX fender off ebay
~Tapered Steering Bearings
~Tarozzi Clipons and Napoleon Mirrors...also polished the switch housings and master cylinder
~New headlight and mounting ears
~All new cables - Throttles, clutch, speedo, tach, decompression
~New gaskets and polishing on the cases, new sump filter and gasket
~PAMCO ignition - WORTH EVERY PENNY!
~XS Performance pod filters
~XS750 tank with Chrome powder by JRK and Non-Vaccum petcocks from Mikes
~Manx seat from Clubman Racing
~LED Taillight
~New chain and sprockets
~Bronze Swingarm Bushings
~New rear shocks
~EMGO Shorty Reverse Cone Exhaust
~Modified XS Special fender that tucks under the seat, Custom battery cover, and seat plate.

I am sure I am missing a few things, but pretty much everything except the interal workings of the motor has been gone thru. That will be the next winter project!! I hop you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed building it. Thanks to all who helped out with ideas and suggestions! Definately a fun build. Looking forward to the next one! Picked up a 1978 XS 650 standard ;D

 

[Disliked23]

Love the bike. Totally the look I'm going for with mine as well. Just one question: Why the big black sidecovers as opposed to repainting the originals? Is it because you wanted the air filters showing?

 

[MN_TX650]

yup. Eventually I will hide the battery and the electronics and open it up. Also didn't want to molest the original sidecovers as they are in good condition

 

[MN_TX650]

After riding around with out turnsignals, I decided to add a set this weekend.

Got the turnsignals from SportingForLess on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380127638731&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

And bought a universal flasher from Custom Dynamics. This is the same unit I use on my VTX running LED turnsignals. 2 wires to hook up and works awesome.

http://customdynamics.com/trick_flasher.htm#Standard_DOT_Flasher

And here is the end result:

I also designed some decals and had them cut to put on the battery box cover

 

[JRK5892]

looks FK'n AWESOME!!!!

 

[MN_TX650]

Thanks man!! I still keep searching and searching for an alloy tank. Would really complete the look! Don't get me wrong, the 750 tank you coated for me looks tit's too, but the alloy would friggin rock. You making any progress on yours? Wedding must be coming up soon

 

[a_bald_guy]

Where did you get the taillight/plate frame?

Where are you in MN?

I just bought a CB450 and live in Minneapolis.

 

[JRK5892]

first i am digging the new sig! wedding is next weekend... been workin on getting my house in order with as many people as we have coming in town. going to be wild! good news is my buddy (painter) saw how busy i have been getting the house in order, he is taking my tank, seat, and side covers while i am out of town, is going to finish the body work and then take the paint i bought for them to shoot them (glacier white, with crystal clear) that way when i come home the tank, seat and covers will be ready to go! all i will have left is to button up the wiring and tune... i was going to leave the epoxy paint, but i am not going to 1/2 ass the paint on a bike that i have completely done full out in every other aspect... i can not powder the tank cause the seat and side covers need to match spot on... i just have no time to set up the booth and shoot it... was a cool jesture and a banging wedding present for me!

 

[MN_TX650]

Where did you get the taillight/plate frame?

Where are you in MN?

I just bought a CB450 and live in Minneapolis.

The taillight is from Sporting For Less also:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LED-Motorcycle-Taillight-Tail-light-red-lens-gpz-xs650_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZQ7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a30QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2el1262QQhashZitem3352360552QQitemZ220422604114QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Price is hard to beat, and it tucks in perfectly. I am from Hastings, so not too far from you. I bought some parts for my 78 XS650 last week from a guy in minneapolis with a sweet old CB160. He told me that the Minnesota chapter of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club has monthly meets at Diamonds Cafe in Minneapolis every 2nd monday of the month. I missed the one this month, but may shoot to make the august meet.

 

[MN_TX650]

wedding is next weekend...

There is still time man! LOL. ;D Seriously though. Seems like you find yourself a killer wife. Hot, rides her own bike, lets you tinker with motorcycles till all hours of the night. And getting your paint done is definately a killer wedding present man. Look forward to seeing the bike all finished up. I've been impressed with every build you have done so far

 

[coolatula]

Bike looks great,adding rear-sets with those bars?
The standard XS tanks look good for a stock tank and goes with the over all Cafe theme better than a lot of stock tanks.

 

[MN_TX650]

I've got a set of new Tarozzi rear sets still sitting in the box...just need to make up some mounting plates. Definately on my short list of things to get done!

 

[cretin75xs]

Looking good, the tank and seat flows nicely. Great example of an XS650 cafe. I am ordering the same tail lamp and am curious about the flasher. Is it a direct plug in for the stock flasher? My XS650 is a work in process.

 

[MN_TX650]

if you converted the plugs on the wiring harness, it would be a direct plug in. I pulled the plug off the flasher and soldered barrel connectors on to plug it into the wiring harness.