First partially custom build, basically like all the others

starguymike

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I kinda got into this a little ways before thinking about posting it on the forum. I imagine no one is going to be blown away by it anyway. It's nothing that hasn't been done before really. I started out with a what I guess is being called a "bratstyle type bike. It is a 1979 xs650. I am going to throw in a few pics out and hope that I can get some criticisms or ideas along the way. So feel free to let me have it.
This is what I started with-The wiring was a mess, the carbs were dirty as hell, and it wouldn't charge the battery. However it started pretty easy and idled decent most of the time. Got a PMA from Hugh, cleaned out the carbs really well and rebuilt them. Basically got it to good riding shape. Then decided to tear it all apart.
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Then I ran across a decent deal on another frame with a TC Bros hard tail aready welded on. Its not my favorite tail by far. I think the lines are too steep. However the price was right and I am on a limited(poor as dirt) budget. So i picked that up and some footpegs and kicker pedal. I really like the brass.
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Keep in mind that from this point on most everything is just mocked up. Got started swapping everything over and immediately regretted buying something that someone else welded. It took a lot of persuasion and several dirty words before the motor even though about lining up. Plus I had to expand the gap at the rear axles plates with a jack to allow enough room for wheel mounting. But it finally fit.
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I was really fond of my wassell style tank, but it just doesn't follow the lines like I wanted. I am more into a retro type bike, and I guess the way I picture it a sportster tank just looks right. I know that a lot of folks are tired of seeing a sportster tank and a TC Bros hardtail. I realize it is really common but they just seem to go good together and for a budget build they really can't be beat. I also really like the way it looks basically frisco mounted. Seems to match the angle of the seat tubes better.
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I fabricated some forward controls,welded in some neck gussets from HHB, and made a set of ape hangers out of conduit(just for looks) to try and get a feel for the bars I wanted. I am a big guy and even though they have 12 inches of rise my arms are still barely higher than 90 degrees from my shoulders. I am fat too so short bars cramp me up. I had a seat from a past project laying around and threw it on there. I won't use it but I would like to build something basically the same, a cobra style but wider for the drivers seat and narrower and longer where it runs on the fender. Being a big guy a sprung seat just has too much slop in it for me. The rear fender is a Flat trailer fender from LowBrow customs. We made some cuts and changed the radius to match my 16" rear wheel. The current tank is about 40 years old and suited me perfectly. I like to stay in a 60s to 70s time period where I can. At this point just waiting on parts and more money. Like I said I appreciate all input. Good or Bad.
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also fabbed and welded a rear brake stay. Still needs the corners smoothed out
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Hey, starguymike. Looks like you've been busy.

Unless I'm viewing it wonky, your rear brake stay geometry may try to collapse on you.
Viewed from the side, the axle, caliper stay bolt, and the frame stay bolt should form close to a 90° angle.

If you can visualize the caliper rotating forward, from braking force, you can see that it would try to force the axle rearward. Another member here had a brake stay failure because of the too-flat angle, breaking the stay, followed by other brake parts...
 
Thanks for the input twomany. If I am following what your saying then I need to move my caliper more rearward and make a longer bar or move my mount closer to the axle and form more of a 90. I'll post a better pic for you to look over in just a little bit. Thanks again
 
Hi mike,
yeah, a longer rear brake stay has to be the easiest way to go.
Couple of things I'd recommend.
Try for some kind of springing under the seat. Rigid seat on a rigid frame will pile-drive your spine up through your skull, eh?
And a fork brace. I like a TKAT but there's several others out there.
The stock XS650 front fender also acts as a fork brace and that fork really needs one.
 
Hi Starguy, what size is your anchor bolt on the frame... I believe the factory uses a 12mm bolt in double shear in this application...
 
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