Honda 650 single summer scrambler project

[michaelepjennings]

Hi all. recently my "sport bike" career ended over the front of a brand new BMW 3 series on the way to work, so I decided it was time to put the payout to good use and do something iv always wanted to do.
I started with finding an extremely low mileage Honda FX650, the ugly brother of the SLR650 and not so distant cousin of the dominator/NX650. one owner, 22 years and 3000miles on the clock.

Once I rode the bike home, I was hooked on the pick up a big single has, only to find out it was the tip of the iceberg with a couple of modifications but these will be included in the build.
The plan is the usual with these kind of builds, cut the rear subframe, change tank, bars, get rid of ugly clocks and headlight and build something reliable, handsome and noisy for the London streets/summer blasts.

Here it is, in the current state. Personally, its pretty ugly but aesthetics is usually the easiest part of the bike to cure,

 

[michaelepjennings]

I am just about to finish a run of night shifts, but on Tuesday i'm going to lay out all the parts iv got before I dig right in.

Fingers crossed the content should come thick and fast.

I ripped the bike apart pretty quickly to make sure there was nothing to worry about underneath.

 

[JerryAssburger]

WOW! Nice find! That is a good looking bike! I'm guessing those aren't available in the US, but seriously. NICE BIKE. You are going to have FUN. Sorry about your BMW Incident.

 

[michaelepjennings]

WOW! Nice find! That is a good looking bike! I'm guessing those aren't available in the US, but seriously. NICE BIKE. You are going to have FUN. Sorry about your BMW Incident.

You know what they say... one door closes, you go flying other a windscreen etc haha.
unsure if they were out in the US to be honest. im really happy with it and the plans i have currently

 

[JerryAssburger]

You know what they say... one door closes, you go flying other a windscreen etc haha.
unsure if they were out in the US to be honest. im really happy with it and the plans i have currently

Yeah, not available in the US. Seriously neat bike. I'm envious. I think the FX is the best looking of the three!

 

[michaelepjennings]

Bit of a boring update, but an essential one never the less. tidied my garage space so i actually had space to work
couple more bits arriving for the bike on Tuesday, including the headlight/surround and a new front mudguard.
Other parts that i currently have stashed are, new indicators, exhaust, bars, grips, quick action throttle, new clock, new tank, new seat unit (unlikely to use this), new side panels
also somehow managed to find a tracker seat unit which I wont be using but a fun thing to have never the less, maybe for the next project.

 

[JerryAssburger]

Man, I wish they would've shipped some of those HERE, so we could play, too.

 

[michaelepjennings]

Still haven’t got to laying out all my parts, likely tomorrow if the weather behaves as there isn’t space in the garage haha.

Did get an exciting parcel today though
Not 100% il use the front guard yet but I may chop it up and make it something fun as it’s absolutely huge.

 

[michaelepjennings]

Did a little mini mock up while I was organising a few parts in the garage and making a bit more space. Grabbed a few pictures albeit probably not as exciting as when I run power and start chopping bits up

 

[michaelepjennings]

It’s unlikely il use the front mudguard as it would be more suited to a 21” front wheel and I’m running a 19” currently. The seat won’t be used but il use and shape the base as I just had it lying around and it’s good quality with multiple mounting points.

 

[michaelepjennings]

Finally. Cut the tail up to mock up the bike a bit better and work out the support sections il need etc.

Wanted to see the light on it too because I’m still a bit smitten with it.

 

[JerryAssburger]

What a cool looking bike.

 

[michaelepjennings]

Thanks Jerry

 

[michaelepjennings]

Managed to pull a seat from an old project as I need something small and thin. Need to heat and angle the tail of the hoop slightly but it’s looking good

Threw the new bars on to see what I’m dealing with angles wise and so far I’m happy. Exhaust is off for fabrication.

Enjoying the rear profile of the bike too. Just need to fab up some sheet metal for a tail section

 

[porcelanowy]

Hello
I am melting inside everytime i see big thumper project
Nothing constructive to say...
Just hello

 

[michaelepjennings]

Hello
I am melting inside everytime i see big thumper project
Nothing constructive to say...
Just hello

Hello mate, never a bad comment haha! something iv always wanted to do so happy its turning out the way id like. likely alot will happen at once as im enlisting the help of a friend of mine to sort all the welding at once and as soon as thats done everything will be fitted and then il break it down again for paint (another mate will do that quickly).

Almost ready for summer! haha ... a UK Summer mind