I just couldn't say no

andrsn · Jul 1, 2019

I've got what your doctor might call a healthy craigslist addiction. I'm always checking out the local list to see what XS650's are coming out of the woodwork. I've missed some deals but I've also had some scores, this weekend was the latter.

It's a 73, which I guess makes it a TX? That's always been confusing to me. Chrome frame/swing arm/rear hub, excellent condition Tracy Fiberglass body complete with cactus paint job and it has a decompression tappet cover which I had never seen before.

The wiring is completely trashed but shouldn't be too hard to get redone, I've done it a couple times before on other bikes. I also want to coat the fiberglass tank to proof it against ethanol gas, if anyone has any personal experience with that I'd love to hear it, I've only coated steel tanks to date. The chrome is in alright shape, I'll just clean it up as best I can and leave it. Pretty pumped on this bike, can't wait to get it riding.

member28833 · Jul 1, 2019

Wondered how long that ad would stay up in Portland ! Nice going !
That was a very tempting one to load up . My truck was down with cooling system troubles yesterday lol ..
-RT , Vancouver

member28833 · Jul 1, 2019

this belongs here too Jim

MaxPete · Jul 1, 2019

Others may differ, but from my experience, the only coating to consider is POR15.

It isn’t expensive or difficult to apply, but most importantly, it is reported to be impervious to ethanol (which causes other coatings such as KREME to dissolve). When I was investigating coatings, the thing that most impressed me was that POR15 received a wholehearted endorsement from Jay Leno who uses it in all of his vintage and exotic cars and bikes.

If it’s good enough for a multi-zillionnaire’s Stutz Bearcat or Duesenburg V12, then it’s good enough for me and my XS650.

DogBunny · Jul 1, 2019

Pretty cool fiberglass, although the front of the tank, especially the mounts, are pretty clunky.
Very cool chrome frame.
What vehicle is that in your first pic?

azman857 · Jul 1, 2019

Nice period piece! That's something one doesn't see everyday.!

Superjet · Jul 1, 2019

That is one cool bike Andrsn! Love that cactus! Gotta stay like that for sure...but maybe add a front brake :umm:

never did like an only rear drum bike

. Good score hope all the rest of the bike checks out good!

650Skull · Jul 1, 2019

XS1B front forks on a 72/73 front hub and rim

B_Crabaugh · Jul 1, 2019

Killer! Nice BRAT! I'm pretty sure I bought an EA81 motor from you a while back. I have a maroon '84 BRAT. That 650 is biiiiiitchin'.

YamadudeXS650C · Jul 1, 2019

Very cool bike !
I love the fiberglass and the frame.
I would have jumped at the chance to pick it up.

TwoManyXS1Bs · Jul 1, 2019

DogBunny said:
...What vehicle is that in your first pic?

Looks like a Subaru Brat.

650Skull said:
XS1B front forks on a 72/73 front hub and rim

I see later pinch-type yokes, and disc brake mount bosses.

650Skull · Jul 1, 2019

Your right it is an XS2 front end

TwoManyXS1Bs · Jul 2, 2019

Well, lesse here...

XS2 used the 256 crown, clamped by the fork's top cap, and single bolt underbracket pinch, bolt head at the front.

TX650 used the new 366 crown, single bolt pinched top, and single bolt underbracket pinch, bolt head at the front.

Andrsn's bike has 2-bolt under bracket pinch, bolt heads to the rear/outside.

So, I don't know what I'm seeing here...

Raymond · Jul 2, 2019

Superjet said:
...but maybe add a front brake never did like an only rear drum bike .

Uhm, there's little doubt that tastes vary across the pond. What is it with having NO FRONT BRAKE? Can't imagine many folk in UK would even contemplate riding a bike with just a rear drum. Maybe that's because we like to be able to ride the bike all day without having an accident?

Great find though.

gggGary · Jul 2, 2019

SCORE!
Don't see a nut on the front axle? That kinda looks 72ish.
Bike would be a great candidate for a "later model" front end with brake(s) and a brace. neck length will add some fun.
Always liked the looks of a Tracy, IMHO it doesn't quite blend with the XS motor But I've always lusted after one.

GLJ · Jul 2, 2019

Not 72 forks. They have special shape washer and a larger hole in right lower. Also have 2 nuts, one for axle and one for disk brake shaft. Also not seeing
drain screw.

DogBunny · Jul 2, 2019

TwoManyXS1Bs said:
Looks like a Subaru Brat.
View attachment 144457

At first I thought it was a Rampage, Dodge's version of the El Camino. The Subaru Brat is one of those vehicles that I wouldn't have looked twice at when new, but now I think it's pretty cool.

But not as cool as bratstyle.com
Check out the XS650 in the window.

andrsn · Jul 2, 2019

MaxPete said:
Others may differ, but from my experience, the only coating to consider is POR15.

There's a gas station near me that carries non-ethanol gas so I may just go that route to start, seems like there is a world of fiberglass coating horror stories out there. I've had terrible success with Kreem, good results with POR15, and excellent results with RedKote.

DogBunny said:
Pretty cool fiberglass, although the front of the tank, especially the mounts, are pretty clunky.
Very cool chrome frame.
What vehicle is that in your first pic?

It's an 83' Subaru Bi-Drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter (BRAT for short) that I've done a bunch of work to but still needs a few things and I've lost a lot of my motivation to do them (story of my life).
I thought the mounts looked clunky as well, I'll see if I can't come up with something a bit cleaner down the road.

B_Crabaugh said:
Killer! Nice BRAT! I'm pretty sure I bought an EA81 motor from you a while back. I have a maroon '84 BRAT. That 650 is biiiiiitchin'.

I did sell one a while back, is that engine back on the road?!

TwoManyXS1Bs said:
Well, lesse here...
XS2 used the 256 crown, clamped by the fork's top cap, and single bolt underbracket pinch, bolt head at the front.
TX650 used the new 366 crown, single bolt pinched top, and single bolt underbracket pinch, bolt head at the front.
Andrsn's bike has 2-bolt under bracket pinch, bolt heads to the rear/outside.
So, I don't know what I'm seeing here...

I'm not sure either, I'm just gonna make sure it works, is shiny and can have some sort of front brake... I've got a few extra triples and sets of forks, I think some calipers too.

Raymondo said:
Uhm, there's little doubt that tastes vary across the pond. What is it with having NO FRONT BRAKE? Can't imagine many folk in UK would even contemplate riding a bike with just a rear drum. Maybe that's because we like to be able to ride the bike all day without having an accident? Great find though.

I like the no front brake look, but I'd never ride without one.

gggGary said:
SCORE!
Don't see a nut on the front axle? That kinda looks 72ish.
Bike would be a great candidate for a "later model" front end with brake(s) and a brace. neck length will add some fun.
Always liked the looks of a Tracy, IMHO it doesn't quite blend with the XS motor But I've always lusted after one.

Yeah, no axle nut.... should be fine

. Ah great, different neck length... hopefully I can make something work with what I've got around the garage, that'll be a good time. The Tracy Bodies seem to be more common on the Honda 4 cyls. but lots of other existed: http://kawatriple.com/manuals/tracy/tracypaintcat.pdf

B_Crabaugh · Jul 2, 2019

Still not back on the road! On my bench in pieces. Motorcycles got in the way!

X77S · Jul 2, 2019

That thing is HIDEOUS! That being said I LOVE IT!

I just couldn't say no

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