Introduction & Thanks

SEd27

XS650 Addict
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Kelowna, British Columbia
Hello All,

I’ve been a long time lurker and thought that I should undertake proper introduction...

I bought this 1979 XS650-2F off my parent’s neighbour 10 years ago. The previous owner was going through a divorce at the time and let the bike go far $500.

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It wasn’t much too look at back then, but it was complete, mostly stock, and the price was right. Additionally, there were just over 12,000 km showing on the clock.

I had wanted to have the bike up and running that first summer in 2006 to join my friend on motorcycle trip to Alaska. However, a few weeks after the purchase, I met my wife to be.

Life happened and with the ensuing months and years came a house purchase, marriage, and children. Priorities had changed, but I still managed to find time to work on the motorcycle and research the forums when I had a spare hour or two.

I wanted the build to have a 1970s factory vibe, so I focused heavily on the restomod route.

The tank was upgraded to a larger Mikes XS standard reproduction unit and clad in a custom pearl green powder coat with 1975 decals.

The chassis was powder coated gloss black. New tapered steering bearing were installed. The swing arm received bronze bushings and an upgraded pivot bolt.

Brakes are the stock Special II with a Mikes XS master cylinder. The front caliper was refurbished and has a stainless steel piston and custom brake line and drilled disc.

Electronic upgrades include an AGM battery, reproduction Mikes XS harness, an eBay 3 phase rectifier and the VR115 solid state regulator conversion.

Wheels are XS Performance aluminium rain catchers - 19" front and 18" rear. Tires are Dunlop 404.

The motor is stock with stainless fasteners throughout. Carbs are Mikuni VM34 roundslides with Uni filters from 650 Central. The clutch has the long push rod conversion, an upgraded needle bearing and heavy duty Barnett springs. Exhaust is a Mikes XS Commando system for Specials.

It was a long journey, but I finally finished this past week and was able start the bike for the first time.

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Future plans include an electronic ignition, Mikes XS oil cooler and better rear shocks.

Many thanks go out to the members of this site for their passion for these machines. Without their collective knowledge, I could not have seen this project to completion.
 
It's nice to see these done up so well. I'm a fan of the restomod myself. These are wonderful old bikes but can be made so much better with lots of little updates. What you end up with is something that still looks classic but is much more comfortable, capable, and reliable. You did a great job. I could look at threads like this all day long. I'm afraid many more hardtail bobber threads will only make me ill, lol.
 
WOW! Your work shows vision and persistence. Congratulations on seeing it though to the successful end.
 
Beautiful work! It's rolling proof that it's possible to be creative, express yourself, and make something unique without destroying a motorcycle. Congrats!
 
Hi SEd27,
like they all said, that's what an XS650 should look like.
And from Saskatchewan, thanks for choosing that particular colour scheme, the Roughriders need all the help they can get!
 
Thank you all for the kind words. Although I grew up riding and wrenching on dirt bikes and other various vehicles, this was my first street bike and first attempt at a restoration.
I was initially intimidated with the magnitude of project, but the more research I did, tasks became much less daunting. In reality, I discovered that theses bikes are relatively simple machines to work when broken down into their major component parts.
 
Welcome. The journey was well worth it. You have created a really nice looking bike out of a junk yard fugitive. I like the color choice and the restomod classic look. A job well done. :cheers:
 
The color scheme is growing on me.
It's pimptastic ! Green for the MONEY and gold for the HONEY !!! LOL
It really is a sharp looking ride. well done.
 
But we're never really done, are we. Some little things you may need to address in the future ....

- Better muffler hanger bracket - that single strap down to one bolt head in the muffler's sliding track doesn't hold up long on these vibrating 650s.

- Braced centerstand tang - they tend to break off.

But, you should be good for a few seasons. That's about how long it took for that stuff to break on mine, lol.
 
But we're never really done, are we. Some little things you may need to address in the future ....

- Better muffler hanger bracket - that single strap down to one bolt head in the muffler's sliding track doesn't hold up long on these vibrating 650s.

- Braced centerstand tang - they tend to break off.

But, you should be good for a few seasons. That's about how long it took for that stuff to break on mine, lol.

You are correct 5twins, with an old motorcycle you are never really finished. There is always something to work on, but that is part of the fun.

Short term plans include adding a voltmeter and upgrading the rubber risers to solid aluminium ones (the rubber is already cracking on the installed aftermarket replacements)

Although I love the Commando System, the supplied hangers were a weak point and needed to be "massaged" to work (I actually think I received two of the same side hanger).

I did however add the bracket bellow to each muffler to better distribute the load across the mounting points.
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Thanks for the tip on the centre stand tang. My dad has an old Lincoln MIG welder in the garage that I have been been wanting to play around with.
 
Well its been a while and thought I'd update with some pics of the bike in it's current state.

Upgrades Include:
  • Krauser Starlet Luggage (Thank 5Twins for the help with sourcing keys)
  • Relocated Short Stalk Rear Signals (To Work with the Luggage Rack)
  • LED Headlight - Cheap Plug and Play Aliexpress Unit
  • Heiden Tuning Oil Filter/ Cooler
  • Cheap eBay Mini Fairing
  • Custom ABS Dash w/ Gauges (Ambient Temp, Oil Pressure & Analogue Clock)
  • Brembo 40mm caliper w/ Motolanna bracket & spacer
  • Arashi SRX400 Modern Wave Disc
  • Mitas E-08 Tires

Future/ Forthcoming Upgrades:
  • Triumph Scrambler Rear Shocks
  • Front Fork - Straight Rate Springs & Emulators
  • Hydraulic Clutch (I've switched to the Motion Pro Cable and lubed, but still have a heavy clutch)

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