Introdution

Stuck in blighty

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Hi everyone
My name is Dale and I live in the UK, I have recently bought a 1974 xs 650 that was imported from the USA,
My intention is to make it brat style! I would like to use the weld on kit from monstercraftsman,but I have not had any reply from my emails which makes me feel a little uneasy, any positive feed back would be very welcome.
Kind regards
Dale
This is my bike
 
Welcome, Dale.
Good luck luck on your project. Maybe I'll have some ideas for you once you lay out your basic design ideas.

Perhaps you could go steampunk and use a lot of brass.
 
Welcome

My first suggestion is to get it running and such before you cut it. Dont waste money on aesthetics until its mechaincally sound. You dont want a pretty garage ornament.
 
The forks, front and rear brakes, cam chain adjuster style would all seem to indicate you have a '77 model there.
 
welcome,

Check your frame and engine no's. The bike looks to be a 77 or later Standard. 35mm front end, Chrome fork ears and the rear hub has a plug where the brake-lining switch was. It was removed part way through the 77 model. Really only relevant for the forks when rebuilding, 74 had 34mm and 77 and later models had 35mm forks.
 
Hey Mate---Welcome to the site, but please take littlebills advise and get it running before spending a lot of money and time trying to get a "look" going. Good luck. tim
 
Hi Dale and welcome,
like they all said, first, get it running. But what I reckon is; before that, make sure that it'll stop.
Check out Skull's ID sticky to check your frame number to see what year it is and the photos.
And where's the rest of it, eh?
 
I'm still working on my first. The best advice I can give is come up with a concept and stick with it. I've changed my mind a million times. Also, keep away from all the different designs out there they'll only drive you nuts.
Lastly, don't rush, or pinch pennies to much. I did well on this site for used parts, and there are lots of options out there. A rushed project festers regret quickly.
 
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Thanks for the warm welcome guys! I will get the engine done first then the rest in stages, I've still had no email from monstercraftsman regarding the weld on brat kit! maybe there not in business anymore, I'll send another email later on, here is a pic of my first restoration got in a box of bits sorry it's not a Yamaha.
Regards
Dale
 
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Monstercraftsmen hasnt replied to my emails I sent 2 months ago regarding foot pegs. I think other retailers sell their stuff though.

I thought you were now going to make a track bike, according to your Facebook post.
 
Very nice ring-ding Blighty!

JOKE: what do you give a Kawasaki triple owner for Christmas....?

....a case of injector oil and a six-pack of pistons...
 
Nowhere does it say non XS650 pics arn't welcome..................Good job..............Don't need glow strips on your clothes:)
 
If you like the Brat or drop seat look, give Figure 8's choice of a Visual Impact kit or pre-welded unit a look. I'm building one now and their quality and price can't be beat. Also they ship quickly. tim
 
View attachment 93845 Thanks for the warm welcome guys! I will get the engine done first then the rest in stages, I've still had no email from monstercraftsman regarding the weld on brat kit! maybe there not in business anymore, I'll send another email later on, here is a pic of my first restoration got in a box of bits sorry it's not a Yamaha.
Regards
Dale

Now THAT is a simply gorgeous Kawasaki, Dale ! I'm seriously envious.

Got a secret passion for the Ring-Ding, as Pete calls them. I guess its no secret, anymore :D

Here's a pic of my original-paint '74 Kaw 250 enduro F11:

EBAY.5 004.JPG
 
I've been looking for an F11 for a long time!! Rare as hens teeth over here,thank you for all you're replies, I only have the frame number to hand at the moment it's 447721826 I don't think it's a 74 model but that's not a problem as its not going to be stock! I will be going for the VI brat weld on kit! I will be starting the engine strip next week so I will let you all know what's going off inside it.
Regards
Dale
 
Good for you Blighty. I've never bought anything from them, but word has it that Yambits is a great outfit with good quality parts at decent prices.

As an aside, I subscribe to Practical Sportbikes magazine and am constantly amazed at the range of beautiful bikes you folks got that we never even heard of, let alone saw over here in the Colonies. The prices you pay for parts, shop equipment and tools though.....yikes! Basically, you pay the same number of UK pounds as we pay in USD or sometimes even in CAD. Why do governments constantly suck the fun out of life?

Oh well, per ardua ad astra.

Pete
 
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