Quick make over.......or so I thought.....The ubiquitous XS650 - UK

[lchris21]

No scotch-locks or domestic terminal blocks on this build.........................Ive seen a few "professional" builds in shows that your average domestic sparky would be proud of

 

[lchris21]

 

[lchris21]

also, nearly forgot, managed to get some new air filters ordered and fitted, went off the foam sponge type in favour of a pleated type. I like the pink

, they are supposed to outperform K&N and cheaper which is nice...

 

[ridesolo]

Coming along really nice!

 

[Jimbonaut]

Just loving this, your work is really inspiring and your bike looks the business

 

[lchris21]

Been working on some time consuming fiddly stuff so nothing dramatic, but jobs need to be ticked off the list....

Changed my mind on the throttle and moved away from the original Amal setup Id used, this meant a bit of modification to the cables and a bit of fabrication in the housing itself. New throttle does not come with an internal throttle guide and Id forgot to order one and it was a Sunday afternoon and all that........
Had to bend a nice bit of stainless to the right CLR without crushing it. The new throttle is a bit quicker action so just takes one handful for full throttle instead of two bites at it. Its a bit bulkier, but I can live with that

 

[lchris21]

Fearful that the carbs will be left dangling by the throttle cables when the bike is in the road, I made up a couple of insulated supports just to help with the overhang. XS650 are notorious for vibration so hopefully this will help keep things in place. They are hidden behind the airfilters so cannot be seen too obviously. Added some details to the jubilee clamps for a bit of bling, plus as they are now lighter the bike should in theory be much quicker

 

[lchris21]

The clutch actuator next. It was showing some signs of wear and the pin was a work of art with the grooves in it so had to weld up the arm, re-drill it then make new parts where needed. All good now, but Id realised that the fancy adjustment cover I made last year would not clear the mechanism inside so had to make some mods to that to get it all in there...

 

[lchris21]

These a just a few gratuitous pics of the bike I sent off to the Bikeshed Show London 2020, https://bikeshedlondon2019.com/ to see if I could get one of the 60 "shed row" plinths they offer to amateur builders for their annual bash............to my surprise, I'm in by the looks, just waiting on the final confirmation
Ive started growing a beard in readiness as it will take me quite a while, probably longer than the bike build, checked shirt is on order and Im booked in a for a tattoo this weekend to fit in

 

[lchris21]

Just a quickie update. Managed to get the grips sorted, Machined from some alloy and some strips of leather...............20secs to fit some rubber ones..........weekend of machining and faffing for some leather ones ...no wonder its taking so long

 

[Jimbonaut]

Wow, took some time but thoese grips were worth every minute. Beautiful, great work

 

[Jimbonaut]

These a just a few gratuitous pics of the bike I sent off to the Bikeshed Show London 2020, https://bikeshedlondon2019.com/ to see if I could get one of the 60 "shed row" plinths they offer to amateur builders for their annual bash............to my surprise, I'm in by the looks, just waiting on the final confirmation
Ive started growing a beard in readiness as it will take me quite a while, probably longer than the bike build, checked shirt is on order and Im booked in a for a tattoo this weekend to fit in
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Get a flat cap. You and your bike will be a shoe-in

 

[NoRiders]

Stunning work as usual.......and well done on getting a place at Bikeshed. I just might go along to shake your hand Sir.

 

[Out]

Beautiful craftsmanship here. Love everything about it.

 

[lchris21]

Stunning work as usual.......and well done on getting a place at Bikeshed. I just might go along to shake your hand Sir.

Ha cheers. Still waiting on the final confirmation yet....and hopefully this virus panic wont affect it!. Look forward to shaking your hand too

 

[lchris21]

Beautiful craftsmanship here. Love everything about it.

Thanks

 

[lchris21]

Wow.........2-months since my last update.its been a while (lost my mojo for a while between this that and the other )..........few things happened to planet earth since then!!!......anyway enough of killer viruses, lets get back to it.
Wanted to do something with the "empty" frame triangle on the bike, the look is more in keeping with the "cafe" style rather than "tracker" style I think. Kept coming back and fore to it over the winter trying to think of ways of breaking up emptiness without slapping a huge number board on there like some of the street tracker look bikes Ive seen...
So time time fire up the CAD (cardboard aided design)

 

[lchris21]

Added some slots and more details, turned over the edges to give it a bit of rigidity, then into the oven at gas mark 10 for some powder-coat

 

[lchris21]

The finished article......think it breaks up the sides quite nicely without being too intrusive..

 

[lchris21]

Decided to re do the exhaust hanger bracket, didn't really like my first attempt so set about making an insulated version using some domestic electrical back box grommets. Also while I was down there I got rid of the adjusting nuts for the rear break switch for some knurled ones instead.