TC Bros Hard Tail Frame Wide Tire Question

freakchopper

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Hello Everyone...I have a 1976 XS650 that I am interested in modifying. I would really like to put a 300mm tire on the rear but I don't really know where to start in terms of what I currently have ..a TC Bros hard tail frame. Does anyone know if these frames can be modified for a 300mm tire ?...if so ..how do I go about doing it ? thnks in advance for any advice....freak
 

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A TC Bros hard tail is set up for an opening of 8 1/2 in between the axle plates. Not hardly enough room for what you need. I believe you need a custom hard tail section and like Gary said a jackshaft set-up is needed. It may look cool but lots of work.........

tim
 
Tried to find it, there is a nicely done Upper midwest jackshaft hardtail.(Now for sale) Dark blue custom paint, a while's back, here; https://www.xs650.com/threads/build-thread-wide-tire-custom.55076/page-3
A major attraction to this type of mod is that it's not easy or available as a kit, so if you do it the cognoscenti understand the work involved and you get street cred.
You might want to talk to, or watch someone with a really wide rear tire while cornering before committing.
Search jackshaft here for some info. Or XS650 jackshaft on google. Ardcore used to do a "kit"
Yamachop did what may be the coolest XS650 chop ever built. there's a thread.
Here's another. https://www.xs650.com/threads/newbe-build-intro.15281/#post-152322
more https://www.xs650.com/threads/sprocket-gearing.53992/

Real world; you build it and ride with the HD crowd, they going find open road and leave you in the dust. Take the fun right out of it,
 
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The TC Bros hardtail needs so much modification to accept a 300mm tire that you will have basically made your own HT by the time you get that one to work. When setting up a bike like an XS650 for a tire that wide a frame jig is a must. You will have to flip the sprocket to the right side of the rim to work with a jack shaft set up an run a disc rear brake.
 
I think this may be what you were referring to..he only wanted $9000 for it. I tried contacting him a couple of times and got no reply. For that price I imagine it's long gone. http://suprememotos.com/uploads/postfotos/77-yamaha-xs650-bobber-300mm-tire-set-up-4.JPG.....I really appreciate all the great advice and leads. I get it!! ..from a performance perspective it makes no sense to do this, I just like the bar hopping cool factor of this style xs650. I think the 300mm tire is right up there with old school choppers in terms of coolness...but of course that is only my opinion which doesnt mean a whole lot. With all this said..I decided with my current TC Bros frame I am going to go old school chopper..plenty of easy and reasonable choices out there and that is really what that frame is intended for anyways. However I am also going to see if I can pick up a custom xs650 frame for a 300mm tire and build from scratch. I will check out those leads you all offered me...but keep me in mind if you do come across one. I am even open to getting a ready made bike like the one for sale....although I would really enjoy the creds of being able to wrench my own together.
 
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sorry..that link might be broken..here is the bike I seen for sale.
 

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In my, very personal opinion, a fairly small and compact engine like the XS, a Triumph or other 500-850 twin looks best with narrow tires, not these new fangled steam roller donuts. And it will run and handle better as well, with sensible tire dimensions.
Back when OCC was all the rage on Discovery Channel, I always got annoyed when senior went out riding one of his contraptions. Piss poor handling and ergonomics. When a 60 year old "biker" needs to paddle his feet for the first 100 yards, the bike is worthless, and the riding skills are piss poor. An experienced and reasonably skilled rider should be able to balance the bike, both feet up at a standstill/ super slow crawl for however long it takes a traffic light to turn green. That kind of stuff is proper cool.......
 
I agree ..it's not old school. I meant that I just like the look of a 300mm tire on an xs650 as much as I like the look of old school styles.
 
This is more typical old school idea though it does need a bit more rake.
Girder or springer, small or no front brake, seat for two, rigid frame (not hard tail as not a smooth neck to axle transition), tall narrow rear tire, tall sissy bar, etc.
 

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This one is PROPER old school (did Teutul Sr. ever go to school? I have my doubts)
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/718113103067841008/
yep !! ..bare bones bike ..working mans bike with only speed and performance in mind. Teutel Sr from what I remember was a struggling ornamental ironworker who turned his hobby-dream of bike building into reality. I personally am not a fan of turning a hobby into a business. I like wrenching on motorcycles but I don't think I would like it as much if I had to meet deadlines and high expectations. I don't think Teutel Sr went to school for bike building however I believe he was already well trained in ornamental metal work which served as a good foundation for motorcycle design ...as far as motorcycle mechanic school..let's face it..school certainly gives you a major advantage but you don't really need it to work on motorcycles...just get an old bike, some books and manuals and get your hands dirty. I would rather spend that $20,000+ on setting up shop and tools... mind you this is only my opinion ..i'm usually more wrong than right !
 
This is more typical old school idea though it does need a bit more rake.
Girder or springer, small or no front brake, seat for two, rigid frame (not hard tail as not a smooth neck to axle transition), tall narrow rear tire, tall sissy bar, etc.
yes...totally agree.. these very styles inspired me as a very young kid....but still not totally sure if I am going to take my xs650 in that direction ...still juggling some ideas.
 
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