Getting acquainted...

Welcome to the neighborhood KC Looks llke you got the full forum monte already, though we usually try to keep it a bit higher class than those forums. ;)
Hey we need to see some pics of your ride as it is! On many projects, a regret is not having a before pic for reference and shooting up a roll of film for "how did that go" is always useful. Summers near over, I'm in the get r running n ride it a bit now camp. You'll have plenty of garage weather soon enough. For sure get some testing done if you aren't going to do a full engine rebuild. If you're runnning stock carbs there will be some trouble shooting to do, and once you make changes you'll be changing jetting to compensate. Much easier if you have a base line of working parts.
If you accidentally cross the border one fine afternoon I'll fill your ears with XS650 101 lore that just might make your project go easier. Warning; once I get going I won't shut up for about 2 straight hours, your ears might fall off. Bonus Devils Lake is right outside my door, perfect for a fall ride bike or car.
 
Thanks Gary happy to be here. Is starting a thread the best way to follow up on any build pics, trouble spots, progress pics? I think that would be interesting.
 
Keeping the same thread for a while seems to work well. Also, if you would put your year and model in the signature you will get more specific replies from the members, especially when it comes to your engine, alternator, ignition and brakes. Pictures are nice.

Scott
 
I heard a lot about this site while doing research on my bike even before I bought it. Some great tips, and occasionally a little gap filled with hooligans.
It's only hazing, like jamming the parachute wings pin into your chest (ooh rah!), or reciting the Greek alphabet backwards standing in a bed of coals, if you're of the erudite persuasion, As far as the tips go, yes, we're legendary for more or less knowing knowing what we're talking about some of the time. So never fear. Proceed ye now to the inner sanctum of xs65oness. WE RULE THE WEB!
 
Welcome to the site. Lots of good advice already given . Design it put it down on paper. Some real show quality bikes have been built on this site. Read their threads. See what other builders have done. Do a build thread. Good luck rubber side down. :cheers:
 
Welcome to the neighborhood KC Looks llke you got the full forum monte already, though we usually try to keep it a bit higher class than those forums. ;)
Hey we need to see some pics of your ride as it is! On many projects, a regret is not having a before pic for reference and shooting up a roll of film for "how did that go" is always useful. Summers near over, I'm in the get r running n ride it a bit now camp. You'll have plenty of garage weather soon enough. For sure get some testing done if you aren't going to do a full engine rebuild. If you're runnning stock carbs there will be some trouble shooting to do, and once you make changes you'll be changing jetting to compensate. Much easier if you have a base line of working parts.
If you accidentally cross the border one fine afternoon I'll fill your ears with XS650 101 lore that just might make your project go easier. Warning; once I get going I won't shut up for about 2 straight hours, your ears might fall off. Bonus Devils Lake is right outside my door, perfect for a fall ride bike or car.
The Mrs. And I stayed at a campground up in Baraboo a couple of times. We loaded up the Road King with all kinds of gear and road tripped our way up there. Had a great time. We recently got her an 883 Sportster, and I'm working on my XS. Like I said I'm planning on making it a hard tail over the winter. But it sure would be nice to ride up there again.
 
IMG_2165.JPG
I built this bike stand today. It's 24 inches wide, 21 inches high, 83 inches long. I have a ramp to get the bike up there. Still missing a clamp of some kind for the front tire. Anybody know where I can get one at a reasonably price? I'm thinking about putting some laminate down on the surface for easy clean up. And Eventually some tie down loops.
 
I suggest you put PINS to hold your ramp ON to the table ( long bolts in holes in the ramp, through holes in the table.to pin it in place so it won't slip off as your loading the table.)
a permanently attached wheel chock may or may not be a good idea depending of if you need to turn the handle bars or not !
something that can be un bolted easy, like 2"x6"'s on edge would hold the wheel straight easy enough....
My problem with such a bench is getting it up on the center stand once it's Up there !!!!!
a 2"x4" across the front with WELDED eye bolts should hold the bike good with tie-downs.( I would make that 2"x4" 3or 4foot long with the eye bolts near the ends on each side.) although most prefer to just put the bike on its center stand. and for that I would ADD an extra brace or two in the middle for that, because all that weight will be on the plywood, making it bow.
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that's a good build ! you can park a truck on that! and it should last you for years ! a sidw wayse brace front and back would also help stop
flexing and stuff working loose (an x at both ends)
.....
Well done !
Bob.....
 
Man that certainly is overkill............well made, great job...................... I like the interesting bracing, should work if they are well joined.............

I'd be cautious using a laminate. make for a slippery floor, bit of grease or whatever on a tire or the surface........keeping it natural will give it grip or you could leave a strip in the middle and paint the sides.

Could make something along the lines of this for the front wheel.................or weld a couple of pieces of channel for the front wheel to sit in
IMG_7865 - Copy.JPG IMG_7864 - Copy.JPG
 
I just have a wheel stop at the front on my HF lift. HF does sell roll over front wheel "clamps" and I have a few, but don't have desire to have them on the work platform. Heck yeah come on up! My wife rides also.
 
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Thanks for all the great responses and tips. Yes, I definitely built it to last. The bike is going to be sitting on it all winter and I didn't want any sagging. Of coarse as a strip the bike it will get lighter and lighter. Some good ideas for a "stop/clamp". I appreciate the input. Didn't think about the laminate being a little slick up there! Good point. Hmmm
 
IMG_2172.JPG Well, here's what I'll be working on over the winter. 1980. I've been putting some final touches on the bike stand, and then, I can get underway with getting acquainted with this bike. It runs pretty good, has an occasional pop while idling to start. Again, the ultimate goal is to hard tail it but I'm thinking I can go through it as I go considering it runs pretty good. Then after the hard tail I can dial everything in.
Thank you to all who have contributed to my project bike. I have learned a lot just from reading a lot of threads from other owners. It's clear that I've surrounded myself with some knowledgeable souls. It's going to be a slow process but I will post pictures and questions (I'm sure) as I go along.
 
I know i said your bracing would be ok, i am also making sure there is 2 nails/screws in the top and bottom of the bracing tom's through to the top and bottom plate and another 2 up the sides, 6 in all on each bracing tom................That would be 48 screws/nails throughout the stand............That is how i would feel safe doing it this way without X bracing
 
650Skull thanks for your concern and input. I'm planning on running a 2X4 at an angle on the front side from the top left across too the bottom right. On the back side I will install one in the same manner. (The opposite direction) They both will be attached (screwed) to every upright 2X4 along the way.
And yes repeated on both the left /right sides. Also I'm still working out some tie downs. I'm going to have a couple of holes on one end for the ramp. Probably some 3/8-16 bolts I can drop in to make sure it don't go anywhere while loading. Definitely don't want any mishaps! Thank you

The entire thing is screwed together by 3" screws everywhere...
 
The only thing that would concern me is that top surface. It may be easy to clean but I think it's going to be very, very slippery, maybe too slippery.
 
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