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Thinking about it, I think that all the pre '74 frames and cases had numbers starting with S650. I think the kick-start only cases stopped at about S650-25000, and then the XS2 cases appeared but still with a S650 prefix.

Has anyone ever managed to bend up a set of double skinned headers for the aftermarket ? I'm in the process of trying to clean up and repair a set of original '70 to '73 headers for re-chroming, but they're not looking too good so far. I believe that the pattern headers sold but Heiden Tuning...

I'm seeing electric start gears in that first photo of the alternator. Engine is definitely not from any type of XS1. Bike looks pretty cool though.

I'm just wondering how long any repair is going to last on forty to fifty years old PVC leatherette ? It's a credit to Yamaha that you can still find original seats with the original covers, but they've got to be on their last legs by now. I've noticed a few NOS seats which pop up online every...

I had a friend with a T250 Hustler about thirty years ago. 90% the same bike as yours I think. Lovely bike, all the proportions seemed exactly right. And it really flew for a 250 He left the fuel on overnight, hydrolocked it, then jumped up and down on the kick-start until it bent a rod. To...

I think that I might try welding tabs along the bottom welded seams on that tank. Tabs with holes in. Then maybe draw the two seams towards each other with threaded rod. Still might collapse all of a sudden. I think what you really need is to persuade someone in India to start making repop '70...

I doubt if somebody already bought it. DK's prices aren't exactly cheap, some of their stuff that I was looking at in 2020 is still listed now for the same extortionate price.

I remember an instructor at a training centre offering to pop a dent out of my GS750 (suzuki) tank using an airline. Ended up looking like the tank above, ballooned out. Luckily those tanks were cheap back then. 1984. Forty years ago. That makes me feel old I suspect that if you ratchet strap...

Anyone know what's going on at DK Spares at Stoke ? Maybe nothing, but all their eBay listings under their main account seem to have been pulled. Maybe just an eBay glitch, maybe not.

GLJ thanks for that. That triangular box that appeared on the '74 front engine mounting was one of the modifications that Percy Tait developed I believe.

I've noticed people welding extra gussets and "doubler" tubes welded over existing tubes on these early frames. Is this being done because the frames are prone to fractures due to flexing ? Or is the motivation to try to improve handling by reducing frame flex ? I've only ever had one crack...

I'm seeing more and more motorcycle parts getting cerakoted, and I must say that it looks very smart when new. I'm just wondering how it stands up long term, when exposed to the elements, or to the minor damage that occurs to all motorcycles used on a daily basis. I believe that anything that...

Thanks Gary I was going to ask about the axle lengths. I've definitely got a spare '70 -'71 type axle, and a '73. Not sure if I've got an XS2 axle, BUT, the upside is that the XS2 was actually sold in the UK back in the day. Actually we got it for three years in a row, and completely missed...

Many thanks for all the replies folks ! Well, there's nothing here that would really put me off using the standard XS2 front end that I already have. I've got a front wheel with good chrome on the rim and nice clean shiny spokes, the forks I've got have minor pitting but that's only to be...

I've almost got enough rolling chassis parts to build up a complete XS2 now. But one thing puzzles me. I can't work out why Yamaha designed that weird "floating disc" arrangement for '72, and then felt the need to rework it all for the TX650 in '73. That suggests to me that the '72 set up didn't...

Many thanks! I think that I've actually got one of those tin covers in a box of spare bits I bought, although the chrome isn't brilliant. I've got to admit that the bare vent doesn't look too pretty, I'm thinking that it was only intended as a styling feature - the little slots in the...

Just been cleaning up the XS1 front brake I bought. The rubber blanking discs are missing from the drum, and so is the chromed blanking plate for the air scoop on the brake plate. I'm just wondering if anyone is actually using these vents on their bikes ? Yamaha seemed to go to a lot of trouble...

I was under the impression that any sort of acid had a bad reaction with Aluminium or Aluminium Alloy castings. I was thinking more about giving the brake plate a gentle roasting in the gas oven

Just bought a spare front hub/drum c/w the brake plate. Not actually seen it in the metal yet, only photos, but it's all looking salvageable, except for the speedo drive, which is looking too far gone in my guesstimation. Is there any way to save this ? Or am I looking at a GPS Speedo...

Now that you know exactly which cylinder is seized you could use one of these to exert quite a bit of hydraulic force on the piston crown. Also it could probably force some of that ATF/Acetone mix past the rings etc. Obviously you'd have to refit the head and valves, and get a gasket to seal the...