A co-worked gave this bike to me 2 days ago. He finally pulled it out of the garage for the first time since 88. One owner bike. Motor was rebuild back in 88 and ridden once before it was put away to rot for the last 26 years. Pretty much completely original, not really missing anything. It is dirty and has some rust and pitting on the forks and piggy back res shocks but the wheels are in great shape minus a huge flat spot in the rear rim.
Not sure what my plans are for this thing yet but it only took a few hours of owning it to tear it down to the bare frame. I really need to go easy on this one as it's not like I have two other ground up XS650 builds that are bleeding me dry or anything. Two design concepts I have thus far:
1.) Japanese style influenced - lowered custom rear seat and frame tail section, 1-2" under shocks and rebuild / lower the forks, stock tank, wheels & brakes. Strip and de-tab frame, replace bearings and seals, some paint or powdercoat, polish the aluminum, bend up some bars and call it a day.
2.) Vintage trials style - fab / modify a TY style seat and rear tail to fit the DT. Rebuild forks and shocks, stock tank, wheels and brakes. Strip and de-tab frame, replace bearings and seals, some paint or powdercoat, polish the aluminum, bend up some bars and call it a day.
Either way I think Im going to fit a DT1 style exhaust to the 360 as the stock crossover one is horrible. Love that huge grill style heat shield.
Not sure what my plans are for this thing yet but it only took a few hours of owning it to tear it down to the bare frame. I really need to go easy on this one as it's not like I have two other ground up XS650 builds that are bleeding me dry or anything. Two design concepts I have thus far:
1.) Japanese style influenced - lowered custom rear seat and frame tail section, 1-2" under shocks and rebuild / lower the forks, stock tank, wheels & brakes. Strip and de-tab frame, replace bearings and seals, some paint or powdercoat, polish the aluminum, bend up some bars and call it a day.
2.) Vintage trials style - fab / modify a TY style seat and rear tail to fit the DT. Rebuild forks and shocks, stock tank, wheels and brakes. Strip and de-tab frame, replace bearings and seals, some paint or powdercoat, polish the aluminum, bend up some bars and call it a day.
Either way I think Im going to fit a DT1 style exhaust to the 360 as the stock crossover one is horrible. Love that huge grill style heat shield.