1980 XS650 The Black

[FrankJones]

After three years of staring at the XS750 gas tank sitting on my fire place mantle, building this bike (in my mind) I finally found the right bike for the money to start the build. Though the title describes this as something all black, it will have color. I just don't know what yet, and as it sits now, a faceless donor. It's called, The Black.

It wasn't always like this, just weeks ago I was enjoying being a part of the XS family. I took this pic the day after I bought the bike.

Hung out with some friends before surgery.

Then to start modding. First, is to upgrade that front end. 2009 R1 43mm front forks with six piston Monoblock calipers.

Keeping it Yamaha!

 

[scabber]

That was a good looking bike. Going to be nicer no sawsall I hope.

 

[FrankJones]

It's been a while since I have had time to work on the XS. Put three long days in and it's alive!

 

[FrankJones]

My buddy doing a hot lap shaking it down. Now I need to mount the headlight/tail light.
Love this bike. Feels so stable with R1 front end and 130 front tire.
One finger braking thanks to the 6 piston mono block caliper.

 

[phaedrus]

Hey- I have an XS750 tank finished raw on my bike as well

 

[lakeview]

That tank is exquisite! Loved the picture of the two 650's side by side. My first road bike as a youth was a 68 Bonneville with a black tank.
I did not know how you would improve what you started with until I saw what you did with it - very nice!

 

[efftwofiddy]

How hard was the R1 front end swap?

 

[zeroxs650]

I've got an XS750 tank, getting ready to strip and keep raw, man yours looks good.

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

I've got an XS750 tank, getting ready to strip and keep raw, mam yours looks good.

What do they say about great minds?

Did the bare metal thing with my Special tank and really liked it.

Really liking The Black. Nice job.

 

[FrankJones]

Hey thanks a lot! I had leaky carbs today and found out that the rubber portion of the needle under the float split in two. Gas was leaking everywhere. I fixed it and went for a ride just as the sun was setting. Here's a few pics. Loving the bike!

 

[FrankJones]

Happy Labor Day ya'll! I went over one too many bumps this weekend. How can I have a scrambler that bottoms out coming into my driveway!? I need something to better match the R1 forks. Well, I happen to get 15% off of the Ohlins S36P so I pulled the trigger! Stay tuned for the rear shock install.
As it sits the bike has about 25 degrees of rake from the shorter forks. I am going with the 13.66" length rears which will raise the back another inch. Really like the stable platform I have now, wondering how much the handling will change...

 

[FrankJones]

Weekend update. I bought a trail tech Vapor. Hard to beat at $139.
Installation was straight forward. It said my engine temps peaked at 325 degrees! Seems high. Also the tachometer is acting erratic. I know it will take some work to dial it in, but it's nice to at least have a speedo.