'78 XS650 - Street Tracker or Cafe/Vintage Race Bike Replica? Help!

[arcspeedworks]

Okay, boys and girls, I need your help. I've got a '78 XS650 Special that's waiting in the wings for some attention. I was planning on turning into a street tracker, complete with a number plate and driving lights mounted on the fork leg. Kinda like this:

BUT...... :

After looking at the 650 and thinking about it. The Xs has such a beautiful frame and motor, it would look damn fine as a cafe... A lot of people have done the Mamnx-esque approach, so that would be out of the question. Then again, an AJS 7r or Matchless G50 replica would be very fitting. Not too mention, these are my absolute favorite "vintage" motorcycles.

Sooooooo............ What do you all think about this? Should I keep it as a street tracker? Or go and cafe it to the hilt? You all have been such an inspiration, I need your sage advice to get this project off of the ground.

I'm already working on the electronics: smaller battery, kick-only with a simple headlight (on/off) and brake/tail light setup. All suggestions are welcome!

 

[teazer]

With all due respect, why do you care about anyone else's opinion? What do YOU want? Tim has a really sharp XS Cafe, and there are many XS trackers, so there are lots of examples. An XS will never look like a 7R or G50, but it can be made to look like a typical British twin.

Which do you think you would prefer to own? Which would be more likely to get finished and ridden?

The answer is in there somewhere. And if you really can't decide, do one of each. One now and one next winter.

 

[arcspeedworks]

With all due respect, why do you care about anyone else's opinion? What do YOU want? Tim has a really sharp XS Cafe, and there are many XS trackers, so there are lots of examples. An XS will never look like a 7R or G50, but it can be made to look like a typical British twin.

Which do you think you would prefer to own? Which would be more likely to get finished and ridden?

The answer is in there somewhere. And if you really can't decide, do one of each. One now and one next winter.

Thanks for the input, Teazer. I'm asking mainly because this has been burning my brain for the last few day. While I usually don't worry much about things like this, I'm asking for opinions mostly to try and tip myself and this project in one way or the other.

It's kind of like having a song stuck in your head and you can't figure out what it is. Once you ask someone what the song's title is, you feel better (or stupider, in my case).

It's difficult since I like both styles. The tracker's got its own rough-and-tumble persona, making me want to see if I can back it in at every corner. But, the 7r's more to my usual riding preferences. You are right, the XS won't completely replicate the G50/7R's stance, or its single-cylinder motor, but it is still a work of art. I think, like you said, it'll come down to which one I'd rather ride sooner than later.

Really, though. Thank you.

 

[mysta2]

Cafe, but then again I personally don't really like trackers at all. That's why I'm on a cafe racer forum

 

[beachcomber]

Yeah,

I had a moment of "I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure".

I ended up with 2 x XS500s - one for a Cafe Racer and one for a Tracker.

The idea of a Tracker is an everyday bike - easy to ride and no frills - if it gets a scratch or two, no biggie.

The Cafe Racer is getting the full treatment, as it's what I have a definite idea of what I want it to look like. Trackers all tend to be very similar - whereas with a Cafe Racer there is a little more scope to make it stand out.

If you like the 7R /G50 look - why not go for a big Japanese single?

I'm about to put a Yamaha TT600 pump into a wire wheeled XS500 rolling chassis - BUT I'm going to look at a Suzuki Savage at the weekend as the powerplant / exhaust screams "Gold Star".

I have a 7R seat in my garage [ genuine ] and my pal has a GRP G50 tank I can buy.

BTW - some years ago I tracked down the Gold paint that's used on the magnesium casings.

Hey Teazer, sometimes you need other people's opinions to help you make your own mind up !

All my working life I've asked my Wife - "What do you think of this idea my love" - response "Whatever you think is best". Supportive, but doesn't help you to make a decision.

I like Teazer's idea best - build one of each !

 

[crazypj]

That '650' at the top looks an awful lot like a KZ750 twin Kawasaki?
I would go with 7R replica if I had the cash.
Probably the best looking factory bike ever made

 

[arcspeedworks]

Re: '78 XS650 - It's decided... Pseudo-Brat-Tracker!

Yeah,

I had a moment of "I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure".

Hey Beach! Yeah, that seems to be the order of the day lately... Between the family, work and what amounts to way too many projects, it gets a bit difficult to sort myself out.

The biggest problem I've had in the whole situation is the fact that I've wanted a tracker for so long. I finally got an XS650 for this purpose. If I went the cafe route, I'd probably be wishing it was a tracker... And vice-versa... But, I think I've got it settled finally, at least in my own head.

If you like the 7R /G50 look - why not go for a big Japanese single?

That's a great thought. They were singles after all, right? That may have to be added to the list of future projects. The real question is: Anybody got a thumper to trade for a CB650C/CB750C?

[quote author=crazypj]
That '650' at the top looks an awful lot like a KZ750 twin Kawasaki?
I would go with 7R replica if I had the cash.
Probably the best looking factory bike ever made
[/quote]

Good eye, PJ. I'd track my 750 instead, but it just doesn't feel right to do so... Besides, ol' Elizabeth is getting due for a version 1.2 makeover. After the other projects, that is. :

And I definitely agree about the 7r.... It's the stuff of dreams for me.

Great... Thanks Beachcomber, now I'm searching through Craigslist for a good single... ;D

Anyhow, I've finally decided on which way to go with the XS. After looking at various XS650s in various trims and styles, I've compiled a list of things that I've grown quite fond of. So, it would appear that I will be turning it into a Brat-esque street tracker.

 

[teazer]

BC, I don't disagree. I was trying to get him off the fence to tell us which of the voices in his head he was listening to.

Personally I like Trackers because they are so totally American and I have built a few racer and cafe bikes. That's just my personal preference.

 

[arcspeedworks]

BC, I don't disagree. I was trying to get him off the fence to tell us which of the voices in his head he was listening to.

Personally I like Trackers because they are so totally American and I have built a few racer and cafe bikes. That's just my personal preference.

ARGH!!! The voices! The voices don't stop!!! Sorry, couldn't resist that. In Teazer's defense, I knew exactly where he was coming from. As he stated, it really was just a matter of me sifting through the ideas that were running rampant in my head. I just needed that extra bit of... whatever it was, to figure it all out.

As far as being totally American, that's part of the lure of a tracker. Obviously, an XR750 (12oo perhaps?) would be the best choice. Unfortunately, I haven't won the Powerball yet, so I can't afford one.

But, as Beachcomber said earlier, almost every street tracker out there looks like every street tracker out there. I'm drawing on some pretty nifty sources for inspiration for this one, so hopefully the finished product will be recognizable enough as a tracker without looking like another King Kenny replica.

I started a build under TRACKERS here.