78' Yamaha xs650hs Brat Style Virgin Build

[HionHiFi]

78' Yamaha xs650e Brat Style Virgin Build

I like the look, history, and bulletproof engine of the Yamaha XS650e, so awhile back I decided to build a chop in the Japanese Brat Style. To that end I scoped out craigslist for a suitable bike. After a week of looking I ended up finding a 78' xs650sh in good condition, running w/25k on the odometer.

I decided on the brat style because I like the idea of retaining as much of the original bike as possible. Plus the lines of the bike are nice. Its a different look than the hardtail's that I also dig, but don't want to build. The Japanese Brat Style gets the nod.

This is my first build. A virgin build. I have some clear goals.

1. It must be able to ride two-up w/my lady! Happy wife, happy life!
2. It must have bent seat rails (to achieve desired look)
3. Install 10.5" Rear Shocks
4. Chop Front Forks 2"
5. Sportster Type Gas Tank
6. Remove all unnecessary tabs and mounts
7. It must pass a California DMV Inspection (its an out of state bike-WA)
8. Convert to solid state ignition/magneto/update electrical system
9. Reuse as many original parts as possible
10. Minimize bolt on's
11. Do 90% of the work myself
12. It must 100% mechanically sound and reliable

As clear as the goals are, they are malleable depending on how I feel.

I have many questions as this is my 1st build and hope you great folks can help with the build. I invite anyone and everyone with experience to join in and provide feedback and comments about my project.

I've had many bikes in the past (Sportsters, Victories, Dirt Bikes, Street Bike), but none have given me the emotional kick in the gut like the Yamaha XS650E does. It's an iconic bike and I think this is going to be a ki*k a*s build.

1978 Yamaha XS650E Pics

I will be updating this thread as much as possible. Asking questions, and posting what I find.

Here is my inspiration (to a large degree)

 

[nj1639]

Yeah, nice inspiration!

 

[inxs]

- have that bike in my file too

 

[HionHiFi]

Anyone know where to get those bars and what size the headlight is on the "reference" bike?

 

[BigJimmyW13]

Looks like a man with a plan! Good luck man and keep us all updated!

 

[curt698]

My don't have as much rise but shoot me a pm if it's close enough, might be able to work something out.

 

[jay760]

Do you think you could incorporate that seat in the brat build

 

[danno]

I am wondering why you are using the letter "H" in the nomenclature. The suffix for 1978 was "E". "H" denotes a 1981 model.

 

[seniorsalazar]

awesome good luck with build, i am also building a bratstyle xs but mine is a 400, still love it ill post some pics up later on maybe we can bump ideas off each other. Good luck keep us posted

 

[HionHiFi]

My don't have as much rise but shoot me a pm if it's close enough, might be able to work something out.

Those bars are close enough, if I couldn't find a bar with a bit higher rise.

 

[HionHiFi]

Do you think you could incorporate that seat in the brat build

LOL. I'm thinking on a plan currently.

 

[inxs]

Do you think you could incorporate that seat in the brat build

- do you have a pair of satin sheets you want to try selling, jay?

 

[Walt51]

Are there more pics of the inspiration bike???
Walt

 

[inxs]

Anyone know where to get those bars and what size the headlight is on the "reference" bike?

- dont know about the bars but here is quite a selection

 

[HionHiFi]

awesome good luck with build, i am also building a bratstyle xs but mine is a 400, still love it ill post some pics up later on maybe we can bump ideas off each other. Good luck keep us posted

Have you checked out bratstyle.com they have some nice 400's over there.

 

[HionHiFi]

Are there more pics of the inspiration bike???
Walt

Walt, I first saw the pic on a different website. Then I saw a fellow member post it here as his inspiration bike. I like it and wanted to use it as a reference bike. Its clean and simple. That's what I'd like mine to be in essence (while adhering to whatever CA DMV motor regulations I need to get her road worthy.)

 

[jay760]

- do you have a pair of satin sheets you want to try selling, jay?

Do you mean the black ones?

 

[Walt51]

HionHiFi, do you remember where you saw the pics? I like the lines and very simple clean look of the bike. Any info would be good!
Walt

 

[MikeGyver]

Good luck with the build. Post pics along the way. That headlight on your reference bike looks kind of like a Bates 5 3/4"

 

[HionHiFi]

HionHiFi, do you remember where you saw the pics? I like the lines and very simple clean look of the bike. Any info would be good!
Walt

I think was bratstyle.com what I saw them initially. Don't remember at this point. But I think it was the aforementioned website.