Search results

So I’m trying to tension my cam chain on a rebuilt engine and I’m very much a rookie. When I turn the engine over with the kick starter the tensioner shaft stays inside the adjuster. When I turn it over using a shifter on the rotor the middle tensioner shaft pops out almost half an inch. Why...

So I’m trying to tension my cam chain on a rebuilt engine and I’m very much a rookie. When I turn the engine over with the kick starter the tensioner shaft stays inside the adjuster. When I turn it over using a shifter on the rotor the middle tensioner shaft pops out almost half an inch. Why...

denisducati750650 Custom Chop OK so I’ve started my exhaust effort again by hopefully fine-tuning my MIG use as well as investing in a really solid hacksaw for curved cuts and a bench-mount style angle grinder for cleaner straight cuts. The header pipes are all cut and ready for tack welds and...

Well I’ve decided to have a crack at building my own custom exhaust. Rough going with a new MIG and lots of thinking tIme but enjoying the challenge. Tried this 2 into 1 merge bit and feel I can do it - but will re-do tomorrow leaving the cut ends a bit longer so the down pips are better spaced. D

Well the engine, shock, tank, seat and new steering head mounts have all been welded in by my maestro John Wilkinson. He’s also fabricated linkages for the second hand Harley forward controls and a mounting bracket for the Katana rear disc. It’s time for exhaust and I’m going to give it a go...

Well I'm not sure how the 'Build thread' concept works so here is my best effort at summarising my current effort. It started with an old Santee or Amen softail chopper style frame (unsure which) that was designed to take an early Honda 4 swing-arm. I bought a rough Honda 4 but it was all there...

Wondering what local blokes recommend for XS650CHOPPER ignition system? I need the lot as don’t have ignition system or coils. Thinking of getting a local bloke to do the wiring from scratch as it’s a custom frame/headlight/switch gear set up and he did a great job on a car I built a few years...

I picked up some forward controls for my XS custom today at a good price. They’re secondhand and came off a Harley that had been dropped. The gear shift arm is bent and I’m wondering whether anyone has any tips for adjusting (twisting) it back to suitable angle? I’ll can either re-chrome or...

I didn't do anything to my build today - but a genius mate did a lot. He lined up the drive train as I'm trying to match up an '80's chopper frame, with Honda swing arm, Suzuki Katana 1100 front and rear, Harley 1" bars and controls with a '74 Yamaha XS650 engine. I've rebuilt my first ever...

G'day! Building a custom around an XS650 engine. Currently have a mate welding new engine mounts into the old '80's chopper frame, Katana 1100 twin disc front end sorted with new steering head mods, hoping a blank rear 34 tooth sprocket turns up from NZ this week so it can be worked to fit the...

Building my first custom around an XS650 engine but a newbie at this - so I’ve gone with 1” bars and risers cause I like the look of them but need a Jap Brake Master Cylinder that’ll fit 1” bars. I’ve akready bought what I was told was a twin disc Harkdy master cylinder but you guessed it - it...

Guys I’m building an XS650 custom around a ‘70’s chopper frame with Katana 1100 front and rear - and a Honda 4 swing arm. Everything’s lining up pretty good but - the new front sprocket is a 17 tooth XS while the rear is a Katana 42 tooth. I’m looking at bare 34 tooth rears but want to make sure...

Guys this is a bit random but looking for thoughts. I’ve bought one of those exhaust packs with various shapes to build an exhaust system for the XS shown. While I’d love nothing more than slightly baffled straight cuts it’s not an option if I want it on the road where I live. So, here’s the...

Well I’ve made some changes since my last post. Dropped the old Sonic chopper front end in favour of a Katana front end and rear wheel disc brake. Preferred to spoked wheels but the whole Katana package was too cheap and in good nick to ignore.Brakes and wheels all cleaned, checked and painted...

I've tried to sit my rocker cover on after new psitons etc, and it won't sit flush against cylinder face. After reading through related areas on here, I took it off and sat it on 100% flat plate glass - it appeared to sit flush which I trust means it's not warped. I've tried joggling it on all...

I've tried to sit my rocker cover on after new psitons etc, and it won't sit flush against cylinder face. After reading through related areas on here, I took it off and sat it on 100% flat plate glass - it appeared to sit flush which I trust means it's not warped. I've tried joggling it on all...

I have just realised that I've not put this part where it's meant to go - having already reassembled my engine as a first timer. What is it and what does it do? Feeling depressed at having to pull cam chain and top apart again.:wtf:

Well have almost finished putting the XS650 top end back together with new pistons and gaskets etc in my first ever attempt at an engine build. Next step is sorting out what needs to be done to the Amen or Santee frame I am putting my engine into eventually. I still can't figure out who made...

I'm putting the top end back together in my first engine rebuild attempt. Ordered new cam chain but it is one link too short. The engine is a '74 XS650 from the US and has a 447 on the block. I understand that there are two cam chains for this model depending on where in the world the bike was...

Guys I'm putting my top end back together as a 62 year young first time rebuilder. Have a new cam chain but it is a link too short for me to throw the joiner link in. I've turned the a.lt anti clockwise to take up front slack to no avail. The two front adjuster screws ( the big ones) seem to sit...