2018 XS650 Calendar VOTE HERE!

Which XS650s would you like to see in the 2018 XS650 Calendar?

  • Mailman

    Votes: 33 36.3%
  • Jessezm

    Votes: 34 37.4%
  • wolds

    Votes: 24 26.4%
  • DanielBlack

    Votes: 22 24.2%
  • YamaDudeXS650C 75

    Votes: 31 34.1%
  • GeorgeOC

    Votes: 25 27.5%
  • Cycleranger

    Votes: 27 29.7%
  • Redman2932

    Votes: 16 17.6%
  • robinc

    Votes: 9 9.9%
  • jamessgs4

    Votes: 23 25.3%
  • Phaedrus

    Votes: 27 29.7%
  • IronHeartCycles

    Votes: 18 19.8%
  • shortTRIP

    Votes: 37 40.7%
  • halfmile

    Votes: 30 33.0%
  • jtziggy

    Votes: 34 37.4%
  • Satch39

    Votes: 19 20.9%
  • Metal

    Votes: 28 30.8%
  • YamaDudeXS650C 83

    Votes: 14 15.4%
  • JayR

    Votes: 26 28.6%
  • LeDom

    Votes: 19 20.9%
  • TwoManyXS1Bs

    Votes: 33 36.3%

  • Total voters
    91
  • Poll closed .
Looks cool!!
Thanks man. Sure could use some votes. Looks like most folks here like the restored originals (i do too). Love this forum and have gotten a lot of good advice here. Just wish my build was worthy of the calendar. Big thanks to trav and the folks running this forum.... without it I would have never been able to accomplish this build!
 
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I see that other folks have added videos to this voting thread, so I guess I'll do the same.
Had a slight bit of trouble turning the key that day, but otherwise my '75 started right up, as it always does.

 
Couple more pics
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IMG_4992.JPG
IMG_4984.JPG
 
May I update my pic to these clearer, brighter images please?
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Some build details:
Powder coated frame in a metallic charcoalish color. Dual brembo front brakes off a Ducati Monster, MC and lever off a Ducati 848, Mikuni VM34 carbs, pamco ignition and e-advance, 707 big bore kit from Gary Hoos, shell#1 cam from Hoos, kibblewhite titanium high performance valve springs & keepers from Hoos, Heiden Tuning oil filter/cooler conversion, taller 5th gear from Mike’s, skateboard seat pan from craigslist upholstered in suede from a local leather shop, motoscope mini inlaid by Cognito Moto into their own matte finish custom top clamp, Cone Engineering reverse cone pipe built onto a mid-70s Joe Alphabet 2-into-1 header, 1977 XS750 tank w/ redkote, bronze painted spoked wheels off an....earlier year, continental Road Attack 3 tires, Posh gum grips and handlebar switches, a 1940s farm tractor light up front and led strip in back, brass tach eliminator and chunky petcocks, Hugh’s fork brace & engine top mount brackets, trendy bar end blinkers, Progressive Suspension fork springs, 9" bread pan stolen from the kitchen for an electrics tray... all the good stuff. This is my first road bike and I did all the work myself except the gauge inlay, upholstery, and powder coating. The engine rebuild was housed and guided by a local DIY member club/shop in town called Cerberus Moto. The engine was transplanted and rebuilt from the transmission on up. Vapor blasted engine and many other components myself. I left the rear pegs on so I could try out bringing my girl on short trips even though it (and my back) begs for rearsets. The mustache sticker on the headlight is from the Distinguished Gentlemen’s ride fundraiser this year and yes it is already removed.

I can’t tell you all how honored and excited I am to be in the running for this calendar THANK YOU! This is 2.5 years of work and cheaper than therapy. Actually, it isn’t cheaper but it is more effective.
 
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Thanks to Travis and the folks who keep this
Forum humming. The fun and engagement around the calendar is just another example of the great community you all have fostered over the years.

So I have a couple build threads somewhere on the site. But I suppose I’ll tell my story a bit. This started as a basket case 1982 I bought off a good kid in Brooklyn. Took about 18 months to complete the beast on weekends and after work, probably like everyone else.

I grafted a 2004 Suzuki RMZ 250 front end and brake onto the Yamaha head tube (when I was a kid I bought an RM 125 with my paper route money so sort of a nod to that). Had to lower the front suspension travel from 11.75 inches to 6 inches to maintain the stock geometry.

I scratched my head a lot about the wheels, but I found a rear wheel and hub, and swing arm from a 1973 TX750 on eBay and decided to go with Warp 9 Supermoto 17" front and rear wheels. This way I was able to replace the 1982 650 swing arm with the beefier 1973 Yamaha TX 750 swingarm. Then Callahans laced the larger TX750 rear hub to the Warp 9 wheel to maintain the drum brake look while providing greater braking power.

I found a nice Aermacchi 5 3/4" reproduction headlight from when Harley was owned by the Italian aviation conglomerate! And to be safe I fabricated a custom front turn signal tree.

Repurposed and fabricated the rear fender, used the original XS650 license plate light as rear brake light by fitting a new Lucas taillight to the original lisence plate bracket. I know, it sticks up too much, I’m going to shorten it - but like using as much of the original bike as possible.

I made up that electronics box with all new wiring harness. And farmed out the seat p an to CognitoMoto, and 2 tone leather seat from Ginger at New Church moto. I suck at upholstery (and tile work btw!).

New 17x32 drive train, Uni pod filters on rebuilt 32 carbs, Ducati Monster S4 handle bars (love ‘em), stock exhaust with beer can patch on cross tube connection - makes for a unique sound, and the original grungy pipes work for me.

Shinko Trailmaster 130/90s front and rear, Acewell 2701 Speedo/Tach, Speedmaster Voltmeter just in case, although the stock charging system is strong. Texture Black powder coated frame. Bare metal XS650 tank with a Stripe of the original original red paint left for some color.
I did the same thing on my transplanted XS750 tank for a while. I left a tattered stripe of original paint over raw metal on there for at least a year before finally painting it.
 
I just read that the voting ends today. Do I remember right, but didn't we have 150 votes on some bikes last year.
The high vote is only 22 for this calendar. Come on folks............VOTE. There's some great bikes this year.:)
 
Jay R,
After putting my build on hold for two years because my head was spinning from deciding what direction to go, you have made me realize that my first thought was correct. Your bike is very close to what I had in mind from the get go. She's a beauty!!!
 
Jay R,
After putting my build on hold for two years because my head was spinning from deciding what direction to go, you have made me realize that my first thought was correct. Your bike is very close to what I had in mind from the get go. She's a beauty!!!
Hey thanks captain I appreciate it! Yea dive into it, make it up as you go that was half the fun for me at least.
 
Too many standards in the lead of the voting overall :(
Lets Bring back Build Threads, so next year there will be more variety and more people can show off what they are working on! :thumbsup:
 
In my mind, this cool website and its calendar are celebrations of the diversity of bikes we call XS650’s.

Our rides come in all sorts of creative configurations and paint schemes, but what joins us, perhaps, is this wonderful beast of an engine and the unique riding experience it provides.

Like our friend from Rochester, all the bikes looked just great to me this year.

But I can’t resist singling out two special phenomenons from 2017, the inspiring iron-butt cross-country ride of Jamessgs4, and the man who dreamed of the same, but who brought to us a rare degree of friendliness and sharing.

dad5.jpg


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…and thanks to all who voted for my bike.
 
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Maybe I missed this but has there been any post giving the size of the photo`s and what info is needed and email address for submission of such? Thanks and thanks to everyone who took part in this 2018 upcoming calendar process.
 
Looking at Samoran1's instructions from last year, he mentions 300 dpi.

A full calendar page is 11" wide by 8.5" tall, very close to a 4:3 aspect ratio, which would make the width 3,300 pixels and height 2,550 pixels.

An 8Mp pic in 4:3 format almost meets that criteria.

My pics are 12Mp, about 4,000 x 3,000 pixels.

I can only assume that Samoran1 crops and scales the pics as necessary to fit them on the pages...
 
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