1975 XS 650 Update 4/6 - ON THE ROAD!

[gps]

For my first post, I thought I'd start with something meaningful, so here we go

Having lived on Stadium Rd for a few years, I am no stranger to this type of thing and have managed to resist the urge to get involved up until recently. Road racing and dirtbiking have taken up a lot of my motorcycling time but alas, I guess it was only a matter of time. ;D

The pile of parts needed to build this bike is growing and it's now time to start putting them together.

The plan is as follows:
- Build it
- Get it running reliably for as close to free as possible (that's reasonable, isn't it?)
- Make it look really cool for as close to free as possible (yes, yes, I know, it's reasonable)
- Ride it

For starters, the frame needed some bits removed as well as some touching up. You'd be amazed at how many parts they put on motorbikes that you really don't need

Next, primer & paint.

This weekend, I'll be rebuilding the forks and am still debating painting the wheels gloss black. They're in great shape as is and don't need any work, so I'll sleep on it. Pix to follow as we go along.

 

[Flugtechnik]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun!

Cool. Those engines are beautiful.

 

[locOleoN]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun!

Hey!!.. Looks amazing so far!..
DAmn that garage looks familiar!!

;D

 

[50gary]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun!

XS650's are the most modified single model bike in the world. I love my XS650. I'd cut off the passenger peg mounts (2#) I cut off the center stand (7#) the front motor mount is silly heavy at almost 4#. I cut off the extra junque with a coal chisel and ground the tubes smooth. The matal is so soft it's funny. A simple performace mod for better handling is a Ninja 250 or Yamaha Radian swingam. I have an FZR mono shock swingarm in mine. Have fun with it.

Cheers, 50gary

 

[gps]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 9/18

UPDATE 9/18

Installed the Allballs tapered head bearings & wheel bearings, painted up the wheels and now have a rolling chassis. I won't be servicing the forks until I get a chance to ride the bike. I can rebuild them now and then again after I ride it, but chances are I'll be into them over and over again anyway ;D

Yes, that's primer

 

[Tim]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 9/18

It's already 100x better than any hack job Noel's ever put together Looking great! If you need any help, ask Noel first then call me for a 2nd opinion.

 

[locOleoN]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 9/18

It's already 100x better than any hack job Noel's ever put together Looking great! If you need any help, ask Noel first then call me for a 2nd opinion.

BHAAHHAHAAH!!!..
Indeed sad but true.. ;D
I have to say that that frame has never looked so good!!...

Tyler is riding up to Milton with us Tim.. Im sure you'll be peppered with questions... "Noel suggested that I..... what do you think Tim?"... ;D

Looks great Tyler!


Oh.. one last thing.. you should slam that front end down about 3-4 inches... and according to DTT regulation, you MUST have those clipons installed below the bottom tripple clamp.. ;D.. or you dont get a patch!! ;D

 

[bikeboy]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 9/18

That there is a shiny frame friend

What did you use? Is it durable?

looks like a good project.

cheers
ian

 

[gps]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 9/18

[quote author=bikeboy]What did you use? [/quote]

Tremclad primer & paint. I was explaining to Noel that the law of diminishing returns applies here. For $5.99 you can take a rusty old frame and make it look quite good. Let's say 80%. The ultimate refinishing would be to have it professionally sandblasted and powdercoated but that would cost hundreds. So I'm good with 80% at six bux.

[quote author=bikeboy]Is it durable?[/quote]
Too soon to tell!

 

[BigBSBusa]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 9/18

Looks good.

 

[locOleoN]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 9/18

Hey!!.. we need an update on this!!.. more pics!!

;D

 

[gps]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 2/8

Time for a (long overdue) update. I moved from downtown TO to a home in the country and am now blessed with a big garage. We tore it apart, insulated it and installed a woodstove. Occasionally, I do a little more mudding when the mood strikes me. Having a heated workspace is AWESOME. So anyway...

Rolling chassis in the new workspace. New bearings were installed all around. All Balls tapered bearings in the steering head as well as the wheels. Bronze swingarm bushings have replaced the plastic ones.

Using an old seat to make a new one. This one got chopped up and recovered using the old cover. I made a seat pan out of 1/4" plywood. I may redo it using plastic

Turns out the 34mm forks I have will not work with the more modern calipers, so I picked up a set of 35mm forks and rebuilt them with new seals.

Here's the fender Noel gave me. I chopped it up and repainted it.

 

[gps]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 2/8



The tail section will most likely house the battery. Here it is mocked up with signals and tail light.

Using a flat piece of plastic, I cut out a front door for the tail section. Still not sure how I feel about it but for now it works.

Got the motor back! It's been rebored to 1st over and rebuilt with OEM pistons rings, etc. Valves have been cut. Here it is mocked up with OEM headers and stock Harley mufflers. I wonder if they'll be too restrictive.

 

[gps]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 9/18

Got Mike's Keihin PWK carb kit and installed it. From what I'm reading, it's the cat's pajamas. Will post a review when I put some miles on it.

Took a couple of random brackets I had lying around and made them into exhaust hangers.

Here's the bike with the carbs installed upside down:

And that's where we're at for now. My left side caliper is not lining up properly and I need to figure out why. After solving that, I'll be installing the wiring harness which Noel graciously labelled for me.

 

[kookie31]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 2/8

very cool, man. nice garage to work in as well, better than the parking garage. real nice work on the bike. get rid of the primer tires though and the seat looks a lil outta place in my opinion.

 

[gps]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 2/8

very cool, man. nice garage to work in as well, better than the parking garage. real nice work on the bike. get rid of the primer tires though and the seat looks a lil outta place in my opinion.

Thanks. I've got a new set of Dunlops in the basement that'll go on before spring. I agree re: the seat but it'll stay while I shake out all the technical issues. I'll make cosmetic improvements later.

 

[treitz]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 2/8

Will be tuning in for the update on those mufflers. Whether they are too restrictive or not.

I am thinking about putting the same or similar mufflers on my KZ400 and wondered the same thing. Especially since I JUST got it tuned in with open headers :-/

 

[locOleoN]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 2/8

WOW.. I cant believe its coming along that fast!!... IT brings a tear to my eye... I remember that frame and parts as discarded crap in the back of the shop!!

Thats awesome man!!

I like the whoopie cushion.. its a nice touch

 

[gps]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 2/19

Been working on tying things together now that all the major work is done.

Pamco ignition & high output coil installed.

A good portion of the electrical is connected. Just need to get the handlebar switches connected as well as a few other odds & ends.

Here's about what she'll look like when done

 

[gps]

Re: 1975 XS 650 - It has begun! UPDATE 2/8

Will be tuning in for the update on those mufflers. Whether they are too restrictive or not.

I am thinking about putting the same or similar mufflers on my KZ400 and wondered the same thing. Especially since I JUST got it tuned in with open headers :-/

I have good news for you


Having never owned one of these bikes and never run or ridden one, I was amazed when it kicked over and fired right up. I have yet to adjust the timing or sync the carbs but it sounds really great! I'll post more pix shortly but so far so good.