jedi_
xs650 cafe racer
When I bought my bike it had 16 miles on it. Yep, 16. Said it on the title and the odometer. I even had the receipt from Mike's for the new speedo that was put on right before I bought it,
haha nice one
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Dilema-Can I cut up a new xs650?
- Thread starter reallybigtim
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- restoration
haha nice one
Tomterrific
XS650 Junkie
Tim,
You have stumbled onto a bike sutible for a museum or a fine collection. You will be a fool if you cut it. A perfect stock or near stock XS is just as cool as any chopper these days because it is such a desirable old motorcycle. My total beater '77D always draws a crowd of interested gawkers.
This summer CL was inundated with XS choppers. Some (most?) were not finished or didn't run. The ones that ran were not all that hot. They all looked the same with different paint, except that over half were rattle can black. I don't think any sold. I rarely see an XS chopper on the street.
300 miles? Come on, this bike is an icon. You can throw a rock and hit a chopper project but you are the only one I know that has an XS with less than 1000 miles on it.
Sincerely,
Tom (has been into bikes since his first in 1967.)
You have stumbled onto a bike sutible for a museum or a fine collection. You will be a fool if you cut it. A perfect stock or near stock XS is just as cool as any chopper these days because it is such a desirable old motorcycle. My total beater '77D always draws a crowd of interested gawkers.
This summer CL was inundated with XS choppers. Some (most?) were not finished or didn't run. The ones that ran were not all that hot. They all looked the same with different paint, except that over half were rattle can black. I don't think any sold. I rarely see an XS chopper on the street.
300 miles? Come on, this bike is an icon. You can throw a rock and hit a chopper project but you are the only one I know that has an XS with less than 1000 miles on it.
Sincerely,
Tom (has been into bikes since his first in 1967.)
Tom I bet if you were to parked yours next to his it would still draw the most looks and comments.
Or at least this is my experience when the parts bike(part of this part of that) is parked next to the still shiney shiney '83.
Oh the ones that know still recognise both as XS's but the parts bike( Hardley Done) gets the most questions and looks.
I was recently riding tail in a group that included the 83. Leaving a fuel stop a dude runs across the parking lot and stops me.
"Man I used to race those in the '70's and wanted to say it is cool seeing one on the road today".
Or at least this is my experience when the parts bike(part of this part of that) is parked next to the still shiney shiney '83.
Oh the ones that know still recognise both as XS's but the parts bike( Hardley Done) gets the most questions and looks.
I was recently riding tail in a group that included the 83. Leaving a fuel stop a dude runs across the parking lot and stops me.
"Man I used to race those in the '70's and wanted to say it is cool seeing one on the road today".
Capt_Zoom
Raider Rider/xs newbie
Hell yes cut that b#%^* up. Take your time during tear down so you can sell off the stuff you don't need...sidecovers, seat, shocks, etc.
There are so many of these bikes out their its not like a stocker is something that special. Don't get me wrong it sounds like you found a heck of a bike but its just metal...Chop cut weld rebuild.
There are so many of these bikes out their its not like a stocker is something that special. Don't get me wrong it sounds like you found a heck of a bike but its just metal...Chop cut weld rebuild.
jonandjones
XS650 Enthusiast
300 miles all that tells me is this bikehas been caged all its life! Give her a make over and ride it!! Having a bike that runs is half your battle. That way when your done it should run again if it don't then you find where YOU messed up. Not someone else haha like every bike I have gotten. Your talkin bratstyle your not going to be changing the frame that much. Don't get me wrong I like a stock bike but them buck horns suck and that off center head light gives me the willys! Brat it out!!
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reallybigtim
XS650 Member
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These comments are great! I agree with all of them....that's why I have the dillema.
littlebill31
Smells of Raw Fuel
Honestly, no matter what you do to it, or not to it, at least you didn't go out and just buy
another H-D.
another H-D.
If you live up to your name, you might want to run it as is for awhile. These aren't very fast bikes, and you might find that it won't hold your interest. I have other bikes for speed, so the the little paint shaker leaves me smiling. It ain't no torque monster though.
Mine is also an 83. I picked it up for $500, with 10,000 miles on it. I wouldn't dream of cutting it up. I restricted the mods to bolt-ons, and de-uglification (anybody need an 83 seat, sissybar and tail light??). I see no point in trying to get this motor to run hard. I could understand a big bore for the torque, and maybe a rephase if you are doing lots of highway miles, but unless it was a crapped out rust bucket, I'd leave it near to stock and find something a bit rougher to mod.
Mine is also an 83. I picked it up for $500, with 10,000 miles on it. I wouldn't dream of cutting it up. I restricted the mods to bolt-ons, and de-uglification (anybody need an 83 seat, sissybar and tail light??). I see no point in trying to get this motor to run hard. I could understand a big bore for the torque, and maybe a rephase if you are doing lots of highway miles, but unless it was a crapped out rust bucket, I'd leave it near to stock and find something a bit rougher to mod.
reallybigtim
XS650 Member
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I am in central Ohio.....
reallybigtim
XS650 Member
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Hey Jerm......PM sent
angus67
Welder's penetrate deeper!!
if you have seen tee-cat's bike, you might stay stock with boltons. wish I had a stocker. but my 80 was a basket case with a hammered piston. 50 and a home made hard tail.
Patches
XS650 Junkie
I can't believe I'm the first to say this but:
Bike was in Blanchester, O. I believe....2 grand asking price, pipes blued where they meet the mufflers......seemed odd. Been up for sale for quite a while.
I'd do and have done the bolt on adjustments to my '83 to get a more brit, not brat, style. Good canvas to work on.
Nice score and wellcome aboard!
I'd do and have done the bolt on adjustments to my '83 to get a more brit, not brat, style. Good canvas to work on.
Nice score and wellcome aboard!
Tomterrific
XS650 Junkie
Hey Tim,
Get in touch. I'm in Columbus. Google vinmoto, then click on the central Ohio and sign up. Vintage fans and good central Ohio info. Try to make a Monday night.
Tom Graham
Get in touch. I'm in Columbus. Google vinmoto, then click on the central Ohio and sign up. Vintage fans and good central Ohio info. Try to make a Monday night.
Tom Graham
uknowme2goog
XS650,1980, Bobber
Sell the bike..its too nice to chop....with the money u make either purchase a older bike with issues and chop that or just purchase a choped bike from a person the forum.
Tech7
XS650 Junkie
Chop it. It ain't a Ferrari. Yamaha made a half a million of them. Do what you want. Just because it says Special, it doesn't make it so.
reallybigtim
XS650 Member
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That's the bizarre thing......this bike seems to have escaped all the problems of just sitting for many years. It has obviously been kept in a climate-controlled environment. All the chrome (except for the pipes) is perfect, the wiring looks new, all rubber is soft, etc. Carbs are freshly rebuilt. Everything works as it should.
I have had ultra low mileage older vehicles in the past......and they usually need everything. This bike is one of the exceptions. It will be like starting with a new bike if I decide to modify it. If I keep it stock.....I would hate to put any more miles on it.
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