Cafe Racer with a twist

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XSFrank

XS650 Enthusiast
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Sunny Bournemouth, UK
Hi Guys,

I'm newly registered on here, but have been hovering for a while on this site, to get some ideas and info for a build I've recently started.
After years of riding plastic clad sports bikes I've got a craving for something old and easier to work on.
I live in Bournemouth on the south coast of England, the old England across the pond this is, but fancied something a bit more reliable than the famed 50's and 60's British tin.
Also having the brake and gear change the right way round, as I ride my bikes all year round apart from when it snows.
Eventually decided to get an XS650 as they are so easily available and always fancied the Cafe Racer Style which they are just begging for.
Then I dropped my '99 R6 one morning in February in the rain when a truck pulled across my lane, so the fate was sealed.
I decided to start my first bike build, using left over parts from my R6 to build an XS-R650. See what I've done there :D

So first of all, my main inspiration and ideas came from and thanks go to bobber33, rude and olddude13. I like your styles.

This is what I've started with. A fugly '81 Special imported to the UK from Ohio a few years ago with low mileage (13.5K), some paperwork and really good condition. Only managed to pick it up and ride it to my workshop, then started cutting it up.

81XS650.jpg

StripDown1.jpg

RearHoop.jpg


This is the plan. Complete R6 front end including brakes, but with stock 19"XS mag wheel.
18"XS500 rear disc mag wheel with R6 rear sets and master cylinder. Just found an '86 Radian rear swing arm, so will see if I can work that in too.
Haven't decided on the colour scheme yet, but will get the bike all build first to get a better overall picture and then strip it down again.
I will have full electrics as it's going to be a daily ride again when done.

Frank
 
XSFrank said:
Hi Guys,

I'm newly registered on here, but have been hovering for a while on this site, to get some ideas and info for a build I've recently started.
After years of riding plastic clad sports bikes I've got a craving for something old and easier to work on.
I live in Bournemouth on the south coast of England, the old England across the pond this is, but fancied something a bit more reliable than the famed 50's and 60's British tin.
Also having the brake and gear change the right way round, as I ride my bikes all year round apart from when it snows.
Eventually decided to get an XS650 as they are so easily available and always fancied the Cafe Racer Style which they are just begging for.
Then I dropped my '99 R6 one morning in February in the rain when a truck pulled across my lane, so the fate was sealed.
I decided to start my first bike build, using left over parts from my R6 to build an XS-R650. See what I've done there :D

So first of all, my main inspiration and ideas came from and thanks go to bobber33, rude and olddude13. I like your styles.

This is what I've started with. A fugly '81 Special imported to the UK from Ohio a few years ago with low mileage (13.5K), some paperwork and really good condition. Only managed to pick it up and ride it to my workshop, then started cutting it up.

81XS650.jpg

StripDown1.jpg

RearHoop.jpg


This is the plan. Complete R6 front end including brakes, but with stock 19"XS mag wheel.
18"XS500 rear disc mag wheel with R6 rear sets and master cylinder. Just found an '86 Radian rear swing arm, so will see if I can work that in too.
Haven't decided on the colour scheme yet, but will get the bike all build first to get a better overall picture and then strip it down again.
I will have full electrics as it's going to be a daily ride again when done.

Frank
Click to expand...

Frank I am going with the yammie R6 front end the early forks

R6FORKSXS650UPGRADE003.jpg


frontendhbars002.jpg


My yokes should of been ready last week but he has been super busy.

I am keeping the centre line of the R6 front end so I have made a couple of spacers as there is a 18mm differance

NEWBITS006.jpg


These go behind the discs so that the front end centre line stays the same.

Like what you are doing with the frame nice welding,,,if you ever want to have a look at how not to weld let me know and I will send you some photos of my attempt at welding :D
 
Leslie you're such a post whore! Just kidding! Looks like you fellers are goin' in sort of the same direction (although cafe and tracker are not exactly the same..................you know what I mean).

Welcome Frank, please take lots of pics and share!

Dave
 
pre,
I think biker lads are same all over the world.

Take your tracker, when i was looking at doing one your tracker was exactly what I had in mind.

In fact I had to try and change a few details as I didn't want to copy your great build.

Just shows that bikers are bikers wherever they are from.

Leslie
 
Looks like a cool project. What's the plan for getting the 17mm I.D. XS wheel onto the 22mm R6 axle?
 
GreasyC,
My local bike shop sourced me a set 22mm bearings.

They are Honda RC51 bearings that is the Honda SP1 & 2 over this side of the pond,

Leslie
 
Last edited:
Hi Leslie,

Looking good. I've not seen your build thread but will have a look later.
Do like the Flat Trackers too.
What are you doing with the rear suspension?

Regarding converting the Mag front wheel to the 22mm R6 axle, I was going to get some sealed bearing from a local place who specialises in bearings. We use them all the time for work. Shouldn't be to much of a problem. Are the Honda SP 1 bearings 47mm external like the XS bearings?

Frank
 
XSFrank said:
Hi Leslie,

Looking good. I've not seen your build thread but will have a look later.
Do like the Flat Trackers too.
What are you doing with the rear suspension?

Regarding converting the Mag front wheel to the 22mm R6 axle, I was going to get some sealed bearing from a local place who specialises in bearings. We use them all the time for work. Shouldn't be to much of a problem. Are the Honda SP 1 bearings 47mm external like the XS bearings?

Frank
Click to expand...

Frank,
I hope pregrid doesnt see this but I have plagiarized his ideas from his absolutely fantastic high quality/engineered tracker build and used the Redwing Hammerhead rtear shocks I got them from Omars

startofdrybuild008.jpg
 
Leslie said:
Frank,
I hope pregrid doesnt see this but I have plagiarized his ideas from his absolutely fantastic high quality/engineered tracker build and used the Redwing Hammerhead rtear shocks I got them from Omars
Click to expand...

Geez Leslie, you got me blushing!:D
 
XSFrank said:
Hi Guys,

I'm newly registered on here, but have been hovering for a while on this site, to get some ideas and info for a build I've recently started.
After years of riding plastic clad sports bikes I've got a craving for something old and easier to work on.
I live in Bournemouth on the south coast of England, the old England across the pond this is, but fancied something a bit more reliable than the famed 50's and 60's British tin.
Also having the brake and gear change the right way round, as I ride my bikes all year round apart from when it snows.
Eventually decided to get an XS650 as they are so easily available and always fancied the Cafe Racer Style which they are just begging for.
Then I dropped my '99 R6 one morning in February in the rain when a truck pulled across my lane, so the fate was sealed.
I decided to start my first bike build, using left over parts from my R6 to build an XS-R650. See what I've done there :D

So first of all, my main inspiration and ideas came from and thanks go to bobber33, rude and olddude13. I like your styles.

This is what I've started with. A fugly '81 Special imported to the UK from Ohio a few years ago with low mileage (13.5K), some paperwork and really good condition. Only managed to pick it up and ride it to my workshop, then started cutting it up.

81XS650.jpg

StripDown1.jpg

RearHoop.jpg


This is the plan. Complete R6 front end including brakes, but with stock 19"XS mag wheel.
18"XS500 rear disc mag wheel with R6 rear sets and master cylinder. Just found an '86 Radian rear swing arm, so will see if I can work that in too.
Haven't decided on the colour scheme yet, but will get the bike all build first to get a better overall picture and then strip it down again.
I will have full electrics as it's going to be a daily ride again when done.

Frank
Click to expand...

Damm I was going to use XS-R650 It will have to be XS-FT650 now:laugh:

Leslie
 
Yes that is the right size bearing. Just ordered mine today. Opted for the type with rubber seal rather than the plain, open sided ones.

Made some progress the last couple of days.
Seat is now fitted. I bought this one from vonzeti on ebay. Very nice quality and strong fibreglass. Well made, but as it's not specifically for an XS it's a bit too small, so I'll have to take the cover off and put a bit more padding on to shape it to the frame rails and close to gap to the tank. Then make a new cover.

Fitted the tank and welded the R6 filler cap in. Will get the tank blasted with the frame before painting it.
R6GasCap.jpg

Also got the new tappered roller bearings for the R6 head stock last week so that went on. Both top and bottom bearings are 48x30x10, same as the stock XS bottom conversion.

As soon as I get the new wheel bearings, I'll work out the wheel spacers and R6 brake disc adaptors.
Picture.jpg
 

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