Dilema-Can I cut up a new xs650?

reallybigtim said:
If I keep it stock.....I would hate to put any more miles on it.
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And that's the rub with Ultra low miles bikes, they are only SO RARE if they never are used as motorcycles and that is a waste. Wear em out, use em up, then let someone restore the looks for a museum somewhere where no one cares if it is road worthy.
 
nj1639 said:
Bike was in Blanchester, O. I believe....2 grand asking price, pipes blued where they meet the mufflers......seemed odd. Been up for sale for quite a while.
I'd do and have done the bolt on adjustments to my '83 to get a more brit, not brat, style. Good canvas to work on.
Nice score and wellcome aboard!
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That's the bike. He wanted $2500 all summer and that's why it was for sale so long. I feel that it is worth at least $2500 but I was able to buy it cheap enough to use as a donor bike.:thumbsup:
 
Tomterrific said:
Tim,

You have stumbled onto a bike sutible for a museum or a fine collection. You will be a fool if you cut it. A perfect stock or near stock XS is just as cool as any chopper these days because it is such a desirable old motorcycle. My total beater '77D always draws a crowd of interested gawkers.

This summer CL was inundated with XS choppers. Some (most?) were not finished or didn't run. The ones that ran were not all that hot. They all looked the same with different paint, except that over half were rattle can black. I don't think any sold. I rarely see an XS chopper on the street.

300 miles? Come on, this bike is an icon. You can throw a rock and hit a chopper project but you are the only one I know that has an XS with less than 1000 miles on it.

Sincerely,
Tom (has been into bikes since his first in 1967.)
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Believe me, Tom....I didn't intend to jump into the XS650 hobby this way. I was just looking for a decent project.....this seemed like a good one. Everything else I saw was junk. Stock or bobbed......I consider this bike a keeper......but I do appreciate stock vehicles. I have a car ten years older than my XS that still wears its original tires and I drive it. The bike will probably stay stock but I hope I can find a good project XS soon.
 
Patches said:
I can't believe I'm the first to say this but:

20815_src.jpg
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Pics to come.......If it ever quits raining here!!!
 
Use some "Blue Away" on those mufflers and they will look like brand new. I have used it before and the results are impressive! Oh and if you decide to chop and get rid of the exhaust, I call dibs.
 
dwain61 said:
Use some "Blue Away" on those mufflers and they will look like brand new. I have used it before and the results are impressive! Oh and if you decide to chop and get rid of the exhaust, I call dibs.
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I will try it....where can I get some? It's a real eyesore on this bike.....
 
Congrats on your score then Tim. If I had the mad money I would have looked into it, though I don't believe I could keep a Special totally stock for long! Minor stuff, ya know....
 
Hi all.......I am back a year and a half later with the same bike with the same miles and the same dilemma. I think I will offer it for sale because I am finally ready to build the bratstyle bike I want. If I can get enough for this bike......I will look for another XS650. If I cannot get good money out of it.......I will chop it up. Is anybody here interested in this bike before it goes to ebay? It is an '83 Heritage Special in Black with 316 original miles. Everything is mint or near mint except the pipes and the muflers which are blued. The bike was tuned up and the carbs rebuilt by Yamaha about 2 years ago. Even the original tires are near mint with no dry rotting. The tank has a couple minor dings and a touched-up scratch. Otherwise a brand new bike. It really belongs in a museum. I haven't started it in a year. The last time I tried to start it......it seemed like the starter was not disengaging and could not get it to stay running. Anybody interested??? Offers? Trades? Looking for a Visual Impact brat kit bike with no frills. I can get pics posted if I can figure out how. But the description says it all. No issues with the bike. I rode it a couple of miles and it has more power than I thought it would. Ran perfectly. Thanks.
 
List in the Classifieds here and see if anyone bites. It's a good time of year to sell. Add your location to your profile or at least to the classified posting.
 
Dang I was just over to Ohio two weeks ago. I have some great custom candidates, I have a 79 SPII with fresh fully overhauled carbs, those nice one year only spoke alloy wheels and tapered steering bearings installed. I do want a very nice 83 HS I sold my 10K mile 83 that was nicely "restored" and wish I hadn't.

Gary's XS Museum..... LOL
 
I know this is an old thread, but it was fun reading it. This '83 you were describing exactly fits the description of my father's XS650 he purchased several years ago. It sat in the garage for some years with 327 miles on it. Then November I learned to ride on it. It is now up to 1900 miles after two months of riding(a sin, I know). I now have my own XS project, because he doesn't want me putting too many miles on it. Oh and I'm in Columbus.
It's still in pristine condition, and when I inherit the bike, I will ride it into the ground. Good day!
 
It's a rare individual that can improve the looks over stock. That applies to any vehicle ever made my professionals. It can be done, but not by YOU. Remember that :) You will just start a crazy mess and you won't even finish that.
 
Does anyone know what ever happened to the 83 in the original post?:umm: Maybe it went to a new owner that cut it up for a low mileage bobber.:yikes:
 
There is no debate here. Do not cut up a original xs650. Even if it's a special, they are worth more Un restored these days than choppered out. Personally I cringe when I see people cut and chop xs650s. They are better left stock or rest mod.

Sell, and buy a rough project bike.
 

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