How would you low profile this Hardtail XS650 ?

[freakchopper]

Hello everyone ..I have this 1976 Hardtail XS650

. I was wondering how low I can possibly drop this to the ground ? ..and ..how would you go about doing this ? ...thnks in advance for all opinions and advice ..freak

 

[arcticXS]

Hmmm. That frame seems to be rather lacking structurally. I would definitely add back some of the removed tubing behind the engine before even contemplating other changes. A hardtail will feed larger shock loads into the frame in itself. So weakening it further is a terribly bad idea.

 

[gggGary]

Have you ridden it?
Looks plenty low already.
If I were riding it I'd be downshifting LH corners when the linkage dragged. Forks look internally dropped if not that can be done.
At least the neck bracing is still in place, but yeah, if the rear down tube is MIA she's dangerously compromised.
Just an example of backyard engineering gone wrong.

In case you haven't guessed, this forum is more about bikes that ride well, even if they look hot sitting in front of a tavern.

 

[willis]

I think his down tube is there. It’s just hidden in that picture behind the carb and intake. Like Gary says, that shift linkage needs addressed, maybe the kickstand too. You may be able to slide the fork tubes up in the trees a tad. Or look into running smaller wheels? Personally I would focus on other thing that make it look lower than actually physically lowering it more. Think high pipes, or a gas tank with a high tunnel to drop it lower on the frame. A gas tank can drastically change the look of the bike. What style are you planning on running?

 

[freakchopper]

...i was thinking about something like this...I would change the front forks to springer.

 

[freakchopper]

Hmmm. That frame seems to be rather lacking structurally. I would definitely add back some of the removed tubing behind the engine before even contemplating other changes. A hardtail will feed larger shock loads into the frame in itself. So weakening it further is a terribly bad idea.

Drop tube is still there..thankfully !!

 

[arcticXS]

Gary had some reservations about the shift linkage. So now it's my turn to be a somewhat grumpy old man again.
That brake linkage is just as bad from an engineering and safety perspective. The linkage rod is in compression, which also makes it prone to buckling, being long and slender. Any long, slender rods should be in tension, like the original brake stays. The system should have enough strength to take at least 200lbs pedal force. That means at least half a ton on that rod....
And if that brake arm drags in a right hand corner, the rear wheel may lock up.......
Not wanting to be too rude, but in its current state, that bike needs training wheels to prevent bad things from happening.

 

[JRay77]

About your linkage....I also have the TC Bros Fwd controls. I took oxy/ace and heated up my shifter to bend a jog in it. This made more of a straight shot for the linkage and away from the ground. The brake side has the TC bros brake mounting kit as well. A block that welds to the frame to raise the linkage and take the angle dangle out. I bought these TC bros items on here used. New old stock project parts that wasn't finished. These items are not a machining marvel. Very easily can be made cheap. I don't know your skill level. I would almost get it going and then back peddle to the lowering. I'm putting one together now. 750 kit on it and I need to see how it rides at safe speeds before anything. This metric hardtail stuff peaked a decade ago. Keep in mind (at least in my region) these can be bought running and riding under 3k

 

[650Skull]

There are a ton of hard-tail builds on here. The craze has had its day and because there was no separation forum for the different builds they are mostly hidden in the archives now.
Using the search can bring up a lot of info. here are 4 search links.
http://www.xs650.com/search/85325921/?q=Forward+controls+on+hardtail&o=relevance
http://www.xs650.com/search/85325753/?q=Forward+controls&o=relevance
http://www.xs650.com/search/85325569/?q=Springer+front+end&o=relevance
http://www.xs650.com/search/85325507/?q=hardtail+build&o=relevance

don't let negative posts get to you, mostly that revolves around safety aspects and should be listened to. A lot of these previous builds took offense whenever someone would point out the safety angle.

 

[freakchopper]

I appreciate all the honest advice and opinions. I rather hear the truth instead of pursuing a pie in the sky idea that will fail or result in something worse. I don't want to waste time building something in a manner that I will have reservations riding or even selling for that matter.

 

[freakchopper]

There are a ton of hard-tail builds on here. The craze has had its day and because there was no separation forum for the different builds they are mostly hidden in the archives now.
Using the search can bring up a lot of info. here are 4 search links.
http://www.xs650.com/search/85325921/?q=Forward+controls+on+hardtail&o=relevance
http://www.xs650.com/search/85325753/?q=Forward+controls&o=relevance
http://www.xs650.com/search/85325569/?q=Springer+front+end&o=relevance
http://www.xs650.com/search/85325507/?q=hardtail+build&o=relevance

don't let negative posts get to you, mostly that revolves around safety aspects and should be listened to. A lot of these previous builds took offense whenever someone would point out the safety angle.

...thank you for the links...very helpful place to start.

 

[jetmechmarty]

...i was thinking about something like this...I would change the front forks to springer.View attachment 187481

That 16 inch wheel gives a little visual lowering. If you put a 5.00 x 16 tire on it, it might be slightly taller while appearing lower. The bigger tire on a 16 inch wheel will also improve the ride over an 18 in wheel on a hardtail.

 

[JRay77]

To add, that weld doesn't look so good where the front of the seat pivot mount goes. Hardtail to the backbone. I'd grind that out and reweld. You run into all kinds of things on these. My frame was rusted thru on my recent project.