"Thor's Hammer" Australian XS650 Bobber Build

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Hello all.

As much as I wanted to wait until my bike was completed to introduce it to you all, I thought I'd may as well include my build log upon the site.

I'll basically repeat previous posts that I'd made upon my blog, which do include some ramblings and decisions that had led me upon the path that I had taken.

Long story short, this is my first bike and bike build which I am doing mostly within my apartment living room (as you do). I've got friends and contacts that have extensive XS650 experience offering important engineering advice and guidance along the way as well.

Being a bobber build won't appeal to all members, however it will give an insight into the joys of making your vision come true.

Some decisions and ideas have evolved along the way, as the posts will show, however, if anybody can offer any constructive advice I'm all ears.

Details of the donor bike include a 1975 XS650B chassis, 1972 XS2 Motor (electric start) and 1973 TX750 Rear Wheel.

Cheers.

Steve.

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Friday, 4 March 2011

Well, here it begins.

After doing some research and gaining some valuable advice from friends and those in the know, it was decided that a Yamaha XS650 was the stead of choice for my bobber build.

One of my mates, Rob Pellew was looking to move out of town and happened to have a donor bike looking for a new home.

Thanks for all of your help in getting it home Rob!

Here she is.

Microsoft Word - Doc1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Microsoft Word - Doc1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Microsoft Word - Doc1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Microsoft Word - Doc1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Microsoft Word - Doc1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Microsoft Word - Doc1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Microsoft Word - Doc1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Saturday, 5 March 2011 "Inspiration"

Here are some pics of Cassio Silva's stunning XS650.

His bike actually has a large amount of elements that I am including upon my build.

These include the same weld on hard tail, drag bars, tyres and blacked out look.

(If you are the photographer of these images, please contact me for photo credits)

6 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

5 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

3 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

4 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

9 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

7 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Monday, 7 March 2011 "My first part!"

I always knew I was going to get an open face helmet, however, the last thing I wanted was a face full of bugs and stones.

I picked up this cool brown tinted visor from Bell helmets.

122 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Saturday, 19 March 2011 "Picked up my baby!"

Thanks to Rob whom I'd bought the bike from, it was time to pick her up.

What a journey! We couldn't have chosen a day with crappier weather, with it absolutely bucketing down during the trip between Sydney and the Central Coast where it was stored.

Here it is a strapped up and ready for it's trip home.

Image0017 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Image0018 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

IMG_3835 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

IMG_6364 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Saturday, 19 March 2011 "TC Bros parts"

I decided that the hard tail offering from TC Bros was going to suit my needs, as well as my budget.

I also ordered their forward controls, brake pivot, linkages, battery /electronic boxes and various other parts.

Talk about great service. I ordered the parts and had them delivered between the US and Oz in only a week!

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Sunday, 20 March 2011 "Gas tank"

I decided that to set my XS650 bobber apart from the pack, I researched a tank that I felt would work well with the overall feel that I was searching for.

I discovered that the BSA Bantam tank was perfect, due to its tear drop shape and classic lines.

Now where to get my hands on one?

4823671730_7a3bc897c7_b by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

IMGP1322 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

BSA-Bantam by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

4697990566_fe1e4b83ae_b by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

2_Tanks_BG by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Monday, 21 March 2011 "Vintage Auto Works"

I managed to come across a manufacturer of repro classic motorcycle parts in India.

Vintage Auto World's owner Rohan Nino Puri was able to accommodate my custom requests at a very competitive price.

Thanks Rohan!

Custom Bantam Tank requirements (Top View) by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Custom Bantam Tank requirements (Rear View) by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Custom Bantam Tank requirements (Bottom View) by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Friday, 25 March 2011 "At home"
Here's some sots of the XS650 back home before I'd started dissasembly.

_DSC0008_2 copy b by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

_DSC0015_1 copy by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

_DSC0029_1 copy by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

_DSC0037_1 copy by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Saturday, 26 March 2011 "Ripping it to bits"

What better way to spend my birthday than to pull the bike to bits!

As you can see, I had a bit of fun with the iphone instagram app.

Before I get too many comments on the loose assembly of the forward controls, I do know that they were way wrong.

230 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

240 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

250 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

210 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Saturday, 26 March 2011 "Fat boy on his Phat Toy!"

I couldn't resist hopping onto the chassis with the new TC Bros drag bar and make some vroom vroom noises.

220 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Monday, 28 March 2011 "Colours"

One of my favourite colours on a classic bike is brown.

The main colour I'd chosen for the front/rear fenders, tank and headlight body is the burnt tan metallic that was available on the 1970 Plymouth Cuda.

1274-1970-plymouth-hemi-cuda-1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

1274-1970-plymouth-hemi-cuda-2 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

I also intend to highlight the backbone of the gas tank, fender ribs and headlight ring with a darker metallic brown just like the Peugeot 308.

2011-Peugeot-308-Facelift-17

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Tuesday, 29 March 2011 "Exhaust style"

One of the things hat I wanted was an exhaust system that had nicely rounded header pipes, leading into a set of big ass flared out trumpets similar to the examples below.

The black bike is from Motoshop Tonouchi whilst the dark brown bike is from Heiwa.

I did want to have a matt ceramic finish, with black header wrap as well.

Old school!

yamaha-xs650-bobber by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

yamaha-xs650-bobber-2 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

yamaha-xs650-bobber-3 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

tx001_1 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

tx001_side by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Friday, 15 April 2011 "Snip snip!"

After my trial fit of the tank, I just new that I had to cut the guts out of it to fit lower upon the backbone.

Out came the dremel and the tin snips.

IMG_0216 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

IMG_0218 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

IMG_0214 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

IMG_0215 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Saturday, 16 April 2011 "Some more inspiration"

Another one of my inspirations is Slingshot Cycles' beautiful XS650 Bobber.

Like Cassio's beast, the blacked out look is just spot on!

12 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

13 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

14 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

15 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

16 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

17 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

18 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

19 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

20 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Wednesday, 20 April 2011 "Get a Grip"

With special thanks to my very talented friends Vera Black (formerly Amanda Baker) and her hubby Luke, I was given a Dues Ex Machina gift voucher for my birthday.

I managed to p-up the Posh Brown Gum grips that I'd been eying off.

114 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Sunday, 24 April 2011 "Time for a shave"

Most of my favourite XS650 bobbers had shaved front forks, where any unused tabs were removed.

Not having any access to lathes or decent machinery, my only option was grinder, dremel, file and sand paper.

Not too bad considering. Maybe it was my little ranga's helping hand that made the difference?

274 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

272 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

270 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

271 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Wednesday, 4 May 2011 "Trial tank fitting"

My custom tank from Vintage Auto World was given a trial fit once it arrived.

It sits way too high at the back and needs some work, whilst I did have it test mounted a bit higher and further forward than I intend to leave it.

275 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

277 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

276 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

278 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Sunday, 22 May 2011 "How low can you go?"

After cutting out the underside of the tank, I thought I'd check and see what sort of clearances I had with the top engine mount and head of the motor.

As suspected, a ghetto engine mount was required to clear the tunnel of the tank.

It looks like I'll have to ditch tank mounted petcocks with fuel reserve for an inline alternative due to lack of space.

Thanks Mike for being the best darned tank holder I know!

284 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

285 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

286 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

287 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

288 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

289 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

290 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

inmotionphotog · Sep 30, 2011

Saturday, 28 May 2011 "Vintage tyre"

I ordered one of the tyres so that I could make some adjustments to the Harley Fender stay that I'd received with the original purchase of the bike.

I purchased some new spokes from Mikes XS, the Firestone 400-19 tyre from Antique Tyres, did a trial lacing of the front rim and mounted my first motorcycle tyre.

Let's just say that next time I'll leave the rim truing and tyre mounting to the experts next time!

firestone-motorcycle-500-16-10in-rgb_6 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

IMG_0268 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

IMG_0269 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr

Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com/

"Thor's Hammer" Australian XS650 Bobber Build

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