A ripp'n hardtail bobber build from a seized, desert rat: CALLING ALL DESTROYERS

my hubs are with my painter. just got word that he was able to color match a gold paint with the gold anodize im using.

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my spokes are being made as i type with buchanan http://www.buchananspokes.net/.

ive come across a few threads about which stock spokes can be used for 21" rims but it seems everything is hearsay. maybe i shouldve bought a few different sets of spokes from mikesxs to settle it once and for all...if only i had the time!
 
NERD ALERT

sooooooooo technology is pretty awesome though it can be totally alienating. thankfully ive had some recent techno luck concerning this bike:

i was cruising the forum a few nights ago looking up kickstands. ive purchased this one: http://www.tcbroschoppers.com/index.php/chrome-weld-on-kick-stand.html for its minimial, spring-less look. i finally had a chance to look at it over the weekend and wanted to know if anyone was actually running it. in my search i came across this thread: http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15677&highlight=kickstand (there are some really embarrassing kickstands). in the thread my kickstand appeared which is rad because i really want this bike to be as slim and minimal as possible while looking great and performing awesome.

deeper in the thread is this: http://www.xs650.com/forum/showpost.php?p=171007&postcount=22 ... probably the best xs650 ive ever seen. and upon further research rich (the owner and builder) has given me a few pointers. just want to say thanks for the generosity and for building such a rad bike!

for anyone that is on instagram or knows what it is, i was with some friends and they explained the search option within the app. so obviously i searched #xs650
oh! to my delight did i find some gnarly awesome bikes.

ive been having some trouble with which rear fender to run. do i cut the middle out of a stock rear fender and weld it up? is there something else that will do the trick for 21" rim???

well in my search on instagram i came across a DOPE bratty xs650 with a thin fender in back. i left the user a comment and he replied with "A HARLEY NAROW GLIDE FRONT FENDER"

YES!!!! my troubles have been solved. i think its great that technology can assist in creating access to such generous builders!

currently this is on its way and could use a trim:
KGrHqRqME88f7ZhbpBPmE7rOReQ60_58.jpg
 
RpNSht said:
my hubs are with my painter. just got word that he was able to color match a gold paint with the gold anodize im using.

photo6-2.jpg



my spokes are being made as i type with buchanan http://www.buchananspokes.net/.

ive come across a few threads about which stock spokes can be used for 21" rims but it seems everything is hearsay. maybe i shouldve bought a few different sets of spokes from mikesxs to settle it once and for all...if only i had the time!
Click to expand...

ok so im going to eat my words:

i have discovered this thread which lists all you need to know about 21" rims: http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7453

apparently these spokes http://www.mikesxs.net/product/19-0062.html will work lacing up the front stock hub to a 21" rim but theres some doubt in their quality.
still not sure about the rear.

its probably a good thing i went buchanan's in the first place and i just got word the polished stainless steel spokes are ready for pick up.

i placed an order with my homie for the tires. i was considering the Metzeler ME880 Marathon but was told their normal wear pattern is something to be concerned about. it was also mentioned that i would have to run a front tire backwards on the rear which also brought up concerns about abnormal wear. its a shame as i really like the look of the tread.

im running two 21" rims from a dt250 (front and back) which is 2.15" wide fitting 90/90 -21 avon speedmasters as they came highly recommended, also solving the issue of running a front tire in back.

the tires look like these: http://www.xs650.com/forum/showpost.php?p=75255&postcount=37

and beats running these knobs: http://www.xs650chopper.com/2010/04/fong-bros-cream-xsssssss/

ive also gone ahead and ordered heavy duty tubes just in case!
 
today was a BIG day:

i was out of town over the weekend which disabled me from working on the frame and placing the tank. nevertheless today was a big day as i caught word that my exhaust is ready: (not my engine)

-1.jpg

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the pipes are actually the same length though one ends sooner than the other. i went for performance over symmetry.

in other news today i received the spokes and nipples for the stock hubs on 21's. the nipples are too big as the holes on the dt250 rims are measuring at .270 and the nipples are .320. not sure if this is totally due to the powder coat. ill have to investigate further.

also received some tank bungs and a brake lever from hugh.

but the biggest news of all is that the hubs will be ready for pick up on friday....i can not wait!
 
Last edited:
RpNSht said:
my hubs are with my painter. just got word that he was able to color match a gold paint with the gold anodize im using.

photo6-2.jpg



my spokes are being made as i type with buchanan http://www.buchananspokes.net/.

ive come across a few threads about which stock spokes can be used for 21" rims but it seems everything is hearsay. maybe i shouldve bought a few different sets of spokes from mikesxs to settle it once and for all...if only i had the time!
Click to expand...

Is that Aztec gold? (paint color)
 
RpNSht said:
today was a BIG day:

i was out of town over the weekend which disabled me from working on the frame and placing the tank. nevertheless today was a big day as i caught word that my exhaust is ready: (not my engine)

-1.jpg

-2.jpg


the pipes are actually the same length though one ends sooner than the other. i went for performance over symmetry.

in other news today i received the spokes and nipples for the stock hubs on 21's. the nipples are too big as the holes on the dt250 rims are measuring at .270 and the nipples are .320. not sure if this is totally due to the powder coat. ill have to investigate further.

also received some tank bungs and a brake lever from hugh.

but the biggest news of all is that the hubs will be ready for pick up on friday....i can not wait!
Click to expand...


I've got the same pipes......I havn't updated my pics yet....Scott make em for ya?
 
yesterday i received my hubs and i have to say im real stoked. they look amazing. heres a photo of the front in the sun:

photo15-1.jpg


the color has a slight flake to it and is a close match to the gold anodize. im really happy with joel's work!

ive already laced them up with polished stainless steel spokes to flat black wheels
they are currently being trued and tires mounted.

i used this lacing guide found here: http://www.xs650chopper.com/2009/12/how-to-lace-a-wheel-from-scratch/
 
so much to update but so little time! in the mean time i just got the hubs trued and tires mounted. heres a glimpse:

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im gleaming son!!!

more on this later....
 
my girlfriend currently rides a ducati monster and has been wanting a street tracker for a while now. ive convinced her on something a little brattier which she wants me to build for her. we've tossed around a couple various bikes to use, one of which is the infamous sr500. these things are very hard to come by in california...for some reason...however while on break from another project i spent a few minutes on craigslist searching for xt500's (the enduro version of the sr). low and behold there was an xt for sale right around the corner from me. in 10 minutes i was already looking at it, checking to see if it was right for my girl. unfortunately for her it isnt. fortunate for me, i had hit the jackpot...

the guy that was selling the xt had about 40 tanks hanging around. most importantly he had this which i ended up buying:

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a tank from an old bridgestone. ive always been into these tanks and have always kept an eye for one. i never thought i would actually find one! imagine how stoked i was to find this tank by accident in my own back yard!

some reconditioning and a few mods will need to be done to the tank for it to connect to the frame but theres tons of space in the tank that it practically slipped onto the tank without much effort.

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im most likely going to use this tank instead of the wassell. its giving a better sense of color scheme / design plus holds way more gas (im guessing)

im actually concerned that the tank sits too low and might interfere with the motor. i wont know until i get the motor in the frame (this weekend hopefully). it does look like ill be able to hide some of the electronics up inside keeping things out of view, which is dope!
 
REAR HUB BEARING REPLACEMENT:

----SPROCKET SIDE-----
spacer:
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top hat:
photo27-1.jpg


bearing covered by new seal:
photo20.jpg


----BRAKE SIDE------
photo24.jpg


bearing:
photo23.jpg


seal:
photo21.jpg


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