cafe

Its been a while since ive had a bike build going that wasnt for a customer. Seems like the last couple have taken up most all of my time. Now that i have a few extra feet of space in the shop its time to pull this bike in for some work. Ive wanted to make some instruction sheets for the...

What's up guys, I've been a member for about 6 now back when my XS obsession started. Anyway I figured I would share my build. I'm a professional motocross mechanic by trade but this will be my first street bike build. I have no welding of fab skills but I did just buy a new miller multimatic so...

Hey I'm moving along with my bike, and I want to convert it to a twin disk brake front end, and I'd also like to have an 18 inch front wheel. Does anyone know where I could find an 18 inch wheel with twin disks? Or where I could acquire the hub, rim, and spokes to put one together myself...

So ive been meaning to start a build thread for my 81 xs650 I bought last May, so here it is!!! I bought the bike because I could use something to wrench on in my free time. So far shes given me ups and downs but with the help from you guys, I have made some progress!

EDIT: before/after . More pic 2nd page So in my profile you can see the bike before . It had up to this point brat style seat, Boyer ignition, Hugh's PMA and kickstart with 8 cell ballistic. The battery melted out and exploded and found I maulted some wire connections while re dueing the...

I'm thinking about exhausts and would like to install a 2 into 1. Mike's is selling this header and it looks nice. My other thought would be to have a custom 2 into 1 buit to my desire, however this looks like the easiest option. Has anyone installed it? Any thoughts on how it fits, how it...

Hi all! As I also have a couple of RD350s, in addition to my -77XS, I have a question regarding the earlier type of brake calipers (fixed caliper with 48 mm opposing pistons) These were used on XS2, TX650, TX500, various RD models, as well as on various TZ roadracers of the era. I just...

So I'm considering putting a pair of rearsets on my bike but I'm curious as to how comfortable they are. I tend to ride long distances so I'm trying to keep my cafe build as practical as possible while still maintaining the cafe/classic look, any opinions?

So after months of searching I finally found a straight frame with a clean title. It's an early frame 1972 with nothing but kickstand bolted on and I just got it home today. Upon inspection next to my 1978 I'm noticing things I didn't know differed between the two generations, I got the motor...

Hello, So my electric starter decided that it no longer wants to work, so now ive been left to either kick or push start it. the problem with my kick starter however, is that i have rearsets installed so it wont clear. Do i have to bend it or do i have another option? Any and all help or...

Time for this build to happen. In an endeavor to score a 1972 Honda XL, which for the life of me I cant get it to not blow coils, I'm restomodding a 1980 sg(maybe sh, doesn't matter, 3GO-xxxxx). The owner has already scored the period pieces, and done a little work, but now he has no place to...

I have a 1974-75 xs and evidently it has 34 mm forks and i am not having any luck finding clip on bars.. any suggestions ?:shrug:

Hi everyone, I'm Daniel and I just bought my first motorcycle. I have ridden quite a few sport bikes in my day but never owned a bike myself. I have always wanted to buy a project and am extremely excited to start this one. I bought a 78 xs650 non-running from a guy out here in Dallas and I am...

Hey guys: quick parts list so you know where I'm at: hughs handbuilt pma boyer brandsen micro electronic ignition ballistic lithium ion battery lowbrow hologen headlight dime city tail light dime city led speedo NO electronic ignition Custom wiring harness was riding the bike and the lights i...

Hi all, I've had my bike for about three years and have been a long time lurker on this forum. I recently realised I have very few pictures that track her development during that time. Seems like a build thread would be a good way of going about it. I've also been prompted by a recent house...

Howdy, New to this sight and new to the xs650. I'm excited to see to many people who are passionate about this motorcycle, and you guys have already helped me and my project a few times since I've been cruising around the forum. If anyone is from Denver, let me know if there are any...

Probably didn't search hard enough but where can I get tail/brake light like this?? Thanks

Hi everyone :) so here's my first post in the forum, and first of all excuse me for my "not to good english", just want to share the love to this XS project. To be honest i dont build this bike all my self, so my knowledge technical things in this project might be minimum. Luckily i have...

Finally getting around to doing a cafe that I intend to keep. I have done a few other XS650s, but now that I am more familiar with the bike it is time to just make one for me self. I will try and keep track. I got this bike about a month ago and I am tearing it down and rebuilding. So far I...

Hey all, new to the forums and a brand new 78' XS 650 owner. I'm starting to Cafe out this bike and am looking to get a nice beefy look to the wheels/tires. Currently, I have the stock mag wheels. I wouldn't be opposed to using those wheels with different tires for this year, but next year, I...