Why an XS650?
Hello my name is Rick. I have been a member of this site for a little over 2 years.
This is my introduction to the community. I am 62 having been raised and living most of my life
in the state of Florida. Great times in that state. Lettered in 3 sports winning a couple of championships.
I served in the Air Force repairing radars for five years. Two of those years were spent in Germany.
While in Europe I travelled to each and every free country including travelling through East Germany to see Berlin.
I joined the Air Force for two reasons. To learn electronics and to travel to Europe. Mission accomplished.
Mechanical things have always come easy to me. Built my first engine at 12 years old. A Briggs and Stratton 5Hp
for my lawnmower. My money maker. That money bought my first motorcycle, a Honda SL 125. Since then I have owned several bikes all of which were modified to some extent or another. I rode bikes for 30 of my 62 years.
Bikes owned: Honda SL 125, Honda CB 175, Honda CB 360, Honda CB 750F (added 1000cc kit), Yamaha RD 350, Yamaha YZ 250.
No XS650. Never really cared for them when they came out. So why an XS650?
Truthfully I can point directly to this forum. The information available in the Tech section is an absolute goldmine.
The wealth of information is astounding. But the true gold this site contains is tied directly to those who give so much of themselves in their constant and continuous contributions. Not limited to their own personal projects but in the aid they unselfishly render to virtually anyone that asks. I don't know the membership numbers but there is a handful (maybe both hands) of members that are the Titans within this community. The information I have learned from these Titans is already sufficient that I am confident I can most likely accomplish creating my visions with less headaches and reduced costs. For that I would very much like to thank you. I have thought about naming those I am thankful for and with only a handful or two it would seem easy enough. Truth is that anyone that reads this forum already knows who I am talking about. I would not desire to let anyone feel left out, especially since many non Titans often post something thought provoking and add to this forum being what it is. I will mention Travis. Thank you for maintaining this site. Without it the community would suffer a great loss.
Besides this forum and it's wealth of knowledge there are several other reasons I have chosen the XS650 for my next project bike.The XS650 is relatively cheap, easy to find, and parts are readily available. The platform is easily modified and performance upgrades as well as other modifications are pretty simple and can go from mild to wild. As someone that doesn't really care for anything stock that was very appealing to me. Please don't misunderstand, not caring to own a stock bike (or car for that matter) does not mean I do not or can not appreciate a beautiful restoration. Some members here have built some absolutely gorgeous restorations. Those are extremely difficult builds and I have admired them. Just not for me. I never want to pull up to a red light or go to a bike show or anyplace else and see another bike that looks like mine.
That just doesn't work for me. I can also appreciate a "survivor" but I would never ever own one. I can't own a bike that is undependable. I will be doing a complete rebuild with new, or reconditioned as new parts.
That is enough of this novel for now. I know the community loves pics and I have many to share with more to come.
I will try to load some tomorrow. So Hello... and Thank you.
Hello my name is Rick. I have been a member of this site for a little over 2 years.
This is my introduction to the community. I am 62 having been raised and living most of my life
in the state of Florida. Great times in that state. Lettered in 3 sports winning a couple of championships.
I served in the Air Force repairing radars for five years. Two of those years were spent in Germany.
While in Europe I travelled to each and every free country including travelling through East Germany to see Berlin.
I joined the Air Force for two reasons. To learn electronics and to travel to Europe. Mission accomplished.
Mechanical things have always come easy to me. Built my first engine at 12 years old. A Briggs and Stratton 5Hp
for my lawnmower. My money maker. That money bought my first motorcycle, a Honda SL 125. Since then I have owned several bikes all of which were modified to some extent or another. I rode bikes for 30 of my 62 years.
Bikes owned: Honda SL 125, Honda CB 175, Honda CB 360, Honda CB 750F (added 1000cc kit), Yamaha RD 350, Yamaha YZ 250.
No XS650. Never really cared for them when they came out. So why an XS650?
Truthfully I can point directly to this forum. The information available in the Tech section is an absolute goldmine.
The wealth of information is astounding. But the true gold this site contains is tied directly to those who give so much of themselves in their constant and continuous contributions. Not limited to their own personal projects but in the aid they unselfishly render to virtually anyone that asks. I don't know the membership numbers but there is a handful (maybe both hands) of members that are the Titans within this community. The information I have learned from these Titans is already sufficient that I am confident I can most likely accomplish creating my visions with less headaches and reduced costs. For that I would very much like to thank you. I have thought about naming those I am thankful for and with only a handful or two it would seem easy enough. Truth is that anyone that reads this forum already knows who I am talking about. I would not desire to let anyone feel left out, especially since many non Titans often post something thought provoking and add to this forum being what it is. I will mention Travis. Thank you for maintaining this site. Without it the community would suffer a great loss.
Besides this forum and it's wealth of knowledge there are several other reasons I have chosen the XS650 for my next project bike.The XS650 is relatively cheap, easy to find, and parts are readily available. The platform is easily modified and performance upgrades as well as other modifications are pretty simple and can go from mild to wild. As someone that doesn't really care for anything stock that was very appealing to me. Please don't misunderstand, not caring to own a stock bike (or car for that matter) does not mean I do not or can not appreciate a beautiful restoration. Some members here have built some absolutely gorgeous restorations. Those are extremely difficult builds and I have admired them. Just not for me. I never want to pull up to a red light or go to a bike show or anyplace else and see another bike that looks like mine.
That just doesn't work for me. I can also appreciate a "survivor" but I would never ever own one. I can't own a bike that is undependable. I will be doing a complete rebuild with new, or reconditioned as new parts.
That is enough of this novel for now. I know the community loves pics and I have many to share with more to come.
I will try to load some tomorrow. So Hello... and Thank you.
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