XS650 cafe project

xs650buckeye

New Member
Hello all, new to the site so I thought I'd introduce myself and share some photo's of my latest project. I work at the Ohio State Medical Center as an imaging equipment technician and live 35 miles east in Granville. The bike pictured was purchased new by me in 1979 and was a Special II up until 5 months ago. Bret from GFTP worked up the tank and seat and will fabricate a 1/2 fairing next month. This will be a "kick only" bike so I have made a custom kickstarter from scratch (pictures to follow), it's at the plater. That's all for now. Warren
 

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nice start. I had that same fork brace on one of my bikes. Goes well with a fender, too. What are your plans for exhaust/battery & electronics/gauges/headlight/etc?
 
I'm going with the Performance 1-1/2" head pipes from Mikes XS and Helix Dunstall replica mufflers for the exhaust system which will be hung off 1/2"aluminum mounts I'm making to replace the frame mounts. These will also serve to mount the Tarazzi rearsets., I've got a Boyer Branson ignition on it already, but since the bike is kick only I'm reworking the stock wiring harness eliminating the turn signals, start and turn signal relay along with any other extraneous wiring and going with a smaller battery. Will re-trim the cable ends with new connectors etc. Since I'm putting a Dunstall 1/2 fairing on it I might get away with using the stock headlight bucket, but won't know for sure till I get the fairing in hand. I'll probably go with some aftermarket Daytona style gauges mounted in a fabricated bracket on top of the upper triple clamp or in front of it, I'll have to see what works. This is going to be a two phase project with what I've outlined being done by sometime this summer. Next winter the entire bike comes back apart so that I can get the frame powder coated and the bodywork painted. Will also build a new set of 18" wheels front and back (probably Buchanan SS spokes with Excel rims. Finally, seriously thinking of re-phasing the motor, but not sure if it's worth it. Time will tell.
 
Man I wish I could get that tank to fit on my yamaha xj650, your bike is going to look great.
 
Some new pixs of the project.
 

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Love it! You could make a fortune selling those kickstarters. I would be one of your first customers!
 
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