Herper
XS650 Member
Hello to All,
Currently ride an '02 VStar 1100 Classic w/52,000 miles on it. Recently picked up a 1980 Special as a project bike. Been sitting for years and looks a little rough but with a new battery, found out it runs with no smoke so I think I'm off to a good start. Now in the process of re-building the carbs. Found Mike's XS and will need to order up some pilot jet screws that I forgot to order with the rest of the jets, needles and floats. Was told it currently has +2" forks so I suppose those will have to go (or be shortened) as I'd like to lower the back end some with 11.5" shocks. Plan on making a brat style bobber. At age 61 the hardtails just don't interest me anymore.
The brat kit from Visual Impact looks like a winner for me and the beefed-up swing arm with +2" extension on another site looks mighty appealing. I'm guessing a little more wheelbase will increase handling??
Anyway, the XS650 had always appealed to me, especially back in the late 60's, early 70's when I was a low level enlisted man that never seemed to be able to afford one. Took several decades, but finally got one and I'm just as excited now as I was then.
Currently ride an '02 VStar 1100 Classic w/52,000 miles on it. Recently picked up a 1980 Special as a project bike. Been sitting for years and looks a little rough but with a new battery, found out it runs with no smoke so I think I'm off to a good start. Now in the process of re-building the carbs. Found Mike's XS and will need to order up some pilot jet screws that I forgot to order with the rest of the jets, needles and floats. Was told it currently has +2" forks so I suppose those will have to go (or be shortened) as I'd like to lower the back end some with 11.5" shocks. Plan on making a brat style bobber. At age 61 the hardtails just don't interest me anymore.
The brat kit from Visual Impact looks like a winner for me and the beefed-up swing arm with +2" extension on another site looks mighty appealing. I'm guessing a little more wheelbase will increase handling?? Anyway, the XS650 had always appealed to me, especially back in the late 60's, early 70's when I was a low level enlisted man that never seemed to be able to afford one. Took several decades, but finally got one and I'm just as excited now as I was then.
,Ed
