“Garage built, shed built”... stable built!

Bewarethemoon

XS650 Junkie
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I’ve had the intention of starting a “build thread” for some time but I’ve put it off until I felt I had something substantial to post.

I bought a ‘79 Special a couple years back and pretty much straight out of the blocks started to tear into it to begin to create the bike that I held in my minds eye, unfortunately pretty soon in the build went on hiatus due to personal reasons.

Anyway 2019 has seen momentum increase, I’ve mainly been sourcing parts for the build and the first stages of fabrication have begun.
 

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So whilst the bike is in a friends shop undergoing some initial fabrication I’ve started to get my workspace for the build ready.

I’ve been lucky enough to be offered a generous portion of my employers outbuilding, what used to be stables (hence the thread title).

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I’ve spent all day clearing and tidying the whole structure as it had begun to become a little bit of a junkyard (as is often the case). So after a day of decluttering & forming some sort semblance of order, including one run to the recycling centre/dump with a full truck of worthless tat, I have my workspace!

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In the next few weeks I’m going to build a work bench and put up a shadow board, lights and power will also be going in soon so I’ll be all set up with a pretty sufficient little workspace in time for when I get my bike back and then the real fun begins!

I realise that this isn’t the most riveting start to a thread but I promise it’s going to get better, I’m going to post heaps along the way.

Thanks for reading.

Daniel.
 
I realise that this isn’t the most riveting start to a thread
Are you kidding, Daniel? That's great, you have a place to work! Riveting? You have to start somewhere! Once I realized I couldn't work in my own over-cluttered one-car garage, I was able to move my base of operations to a friend's hot rod shop, where he's generously given me a space. Keep us posted on your progress! Cheers!
Tebo
 
Cheers for the good wishes Tebo!

I’ve picked up quite a selection of parts for my build over the last year and it’s really exciting to be reaching a point where I can see them on the bike, rather than gathering dust in various locations in my home!

Daniel.


Are you kidding, Daniel? That's great, you have a place to work! Riveting? You have to start somewhere! Once I realized I couldn't work in my own over-cluttered one-car garage, I was able to move my base of operations to a friend's hot rod shop, where he's generously given me a space. Keep us posted on your progress! Cheers!
Tebo[/QUOTE
 
Thread drift, but sort of related: Anybody have production numbers for the various years/models of XS's? They must have built about a Brazilian :)p '79 Specials. Seems like that's a very common starting point for a build.
 
We have a couple of small electric heaters, I might position these close by when it gets proper cold, but I live in the south west of the United Kingdom and work out doors so I think that 90% of the time I’ll get by wrapping up appropriately, beer & music will obviously help also!

Daniel
 
Welcome! Looks like pretty country. That stable has GREAT possibilities as a shop too. Looking forward to your build.

It truly is a beautiful part of England, I grew up in the West Midlands, in Coventry, the hometowns of Triumph, Lotus, Elvis & Singer to name just a few. I left when I was 16 and I’ve never failed to appreciate the beauty of Devon.

Daniel.
 
Little sneak peak of where I’m heading

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Seat is from Wes @ Counter Balance Cycles, the seat loop is Stephen @ Meyer Built Metalworks via Cognito Moto.

Wes’s seats are designed for an XS rear loop, Stephen’s loop is not however.

I wanted to retain the original lines of the XS so we’ve made the loop hug the lines of the seat more.

Once tightened the seat sits a little more forward in the frame, it’s turned out seamless!

I’ll photos when I have her back in my hands, a seat pan/electrics box is in the works.

Daniel.
 
Tank in it’s current state. I followed advice off here and cleaned the tank after welding using firstly a magnet for larger particles then I let pure white vinegar sit overnight before incrementally decreasing levels of bi- carbonate soda finally using Acetone to expel any remaining moisture.

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I’m confident I left an empty, clean, rust free tank so I bought Redkote, followed the instructions and treated her like a newborn for 12 hours!

Next is prep and paintwork.

Daniel.
 
Daniel ,
I like your new shop, and your shop dog too! Good luck with your new build. I hope you start a build thread with lots of photos , so us armchair mechanics can follow along.
Cheers!
Bob

Cheers Bob, I do feel quite lucky to of gotten such a sweet little bit of space, should make things far more enjoyable than laying in the dust!

The dog is one of three that live at my boss’s place. I’ve known him since he was pup, his name is Zion, unfortunately ironic to his namesake he’s not particularly chilled, he’s lovable, needy, boisterous, clumsy and pretty much a ‘dickhead’

Daniel.
 
And those, Daniel, are all the attributes anyone could ask for in a proper hound. You gotta love 'im!! :heart:

I do and so does my boss. I house/dog sit for him when he goes on holiday. That boy can frustrate you to your limit but you can’t not love him.

He can open and close the front door behind him to let him in but keep the other dogs out of the house!

Daniel.
 
Nice shed, dog, rear loop and gas cap Daniel. Great start to a build thread! JC

Cheers Superjet, a good dog and a nice shed, what man doesn’t appreciate that?

Should be a bunch of progress over the next few months.

I’ve gotten very familiar with a Dremel!

Daniel.
 
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