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So, I horse traded a buddy for a torn down '83 XS650 back in March. I did not touch it all summer, I decided to get on it a bit this winter. I even picked up a heater for the garage so that I won't freeze while working
Here's how I brought it home:
Here's the Voodoo Vintage Hardtail I bought for it:
I nutted up and cut the frame up for the Hardtail tonight. So I guess I've officially started.
I'll be cross posting the build over at the XS650 forum also...
Here's what I ended up with at the end of the build.
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God I forgot how much I hate grinding off welds... I need to borrow my buddy's welder and his help to fit the engine to the frame so that I can tack the hard tail on...
Well I was able to slip the engine in by myself by laying it on it's side. Good thing I decided to put the motor in rather than take my chances. The back bone definitely moved once it was cut. I'll get some tack welds in place and move onto the neck gussets. I have an acquaintance with a CNC plasma cutter I might see if he can whip me out a set of fancy gussets. Though I like the ones that Hugh sells... I may go with those.
I got my buddy's welder, it's a 110v Lincoln, it's got gas but it is neigh impossible to make a good looking weld. So I just tacked the hard tail on, I'll get a real welder after it later. I've only got 110 in my garage at the moment. I'll get the neck area cleaned up next... Also you can see my tank choice, I went with a ribbed one, I need to shorten the tabs a bit to get it to fit the frame well.
I am going with forward controls on this build. I welded on the brake pivot. I may get in and make my own controls though, the more I look at them, I am appreciating the simple lines of the TC Bros. Forward controls. I have a brake stay kit on the way from them too should be here in a couple of days, I'll toss a wheel on and get it located.
I was able to get the brake stay tab located and welded on. I have a couple of sets of wheels for this thing... these heritage spokes are the best looking of the lot. the chrome is okay and the spokes cleaned up fair. I really don't want to re-lace these sons-o-bitches... looks intimidating, especially the front wheel. If I do end up re-lacing (I'll have it done... there's a local guy that does a killer job with wire wheels for dirt cheap...) I'll have the hubs and rims powdered black and do stainless spokes. That'll be for the spring though... I have a couple of months to decide which wheels I want to commit to.
Well... once I figured out that the polarity was wrong for solid wire w/ gas on my buddy's welder I borrowed I got much, much better welds. (I'm untrained, Google's my friend.) So I got in there and welded in my new gussets and did a new crossover tube rather than cleaning up the old one. Not as pretty as a nice TIG weld but with a smidge of grinding to it'll look good under powder coat.
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