My first brat build

[apsracing]

Put the first post in the wrong section, sorry about that.

Started life as a 78 xs650 special. I purchased it as a basket case from a guy who tore it down, but never started building it. Motor is stock but clean and compresion checks out. So hoping to just haveto tune it. Frame whas been cleaned up and sent out to Monstercraftsman for a Brat kit instal. just got it back last week and started doing a mock up for the parts i have been collecting. So far I plan on using the stock disc brake setup, but will be cleaning and powder coating the rims. just don't have any idea as to what colors yet.Thinking either a black and white or Old school silver and copper, but who knows. The tank is small wassell style peanut-no brand name, just an ebay pick up. the Pipes are Yo mama buy Pandemonium. Bars are old ones i had from a cb that i turned into a cafe racer. Bike still has a ton of work to be done. Have to figure out the battery and wiring mess. Rear fender? rebuild and jet the carbs. Lower, shave, and polish the front forks. I am going to use the 2 inch kit and no fender. and of course take it all apart and paint. hoping to get this done in time for spring
Anyone know how hard it is to install the hughes kit?
Also wondering how hard it is to drill the rotors?

 

[Sn34ky]

Here's the Hugh's write-up about that lowering thing!!

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7330

As far for the drilling... it's not hard... it's long! Search here for drill paterns!

Nice build man! Sub'd

 

[rusty rocket]

I drilled my rotors with my hand drill so a drill press isnt needed. A drill press would be much easier though. I first drilled a 1/8" hole and the followed up with a 1/4" drilling about half way thru and they flipping the rotor over and drilling the rest of the way.

 

[rusty rocket]

I forgot to say that i made a jig(seen in the first picture of the above post) to turn the rotors. I did use a drill press for this step. We just moved to a new house and the drill press I'snt set up so i used one at another shop. I chucked the jig and rotor in the drill press and tightened the chuck extra tight(there is a lot of mass spinning). I used a large flat file around the edges and then emery paper on a wood block to surface the rotor.

 

[apsracing]

Thanks for the links and tips guys. I am going to use one of the paterns and drill the rotor soon. Now I am debating switching the rear wheel to a drum. I have a drum mag on another bike and think it mike look a little cleaner. Any thoughts?

 

[scabber]

Both bikes look super nice. I like the disk brake better. The drum brake will be more work to install. Both will look ok. Not shore about the weight and witch one is lighter or stops the best.

 

[hotdog]

I run a drum on the rear of my bike & will be on the next one also - definitely looks more "old school", however the disc offers better braking & less moving mechanical parts...swing-arms are slightly different also.

 

[apsracing]

i have a a complete singarm and drum brake(actually two of them) so not much of a big deal to swap. Just so many decisions. So far the bike looks nothing like i first pictured and by the time its done who knows what it will look like. My other thought was to switch to spokes but i think i am going keep the mags and shoot for something like this pic, but brat style

 

[apsracing]

So finally gathering the rest of the parts to get more of my brat done, Got my battery and metal for the box. hink i am going to mount it under the seat with a hinge and locking bolt so i can remove it. Also switching to some clip ons instead of the old bars. will get some picks up soon. No heat in the garage and only 20 out so its a slow process.

Also want to see if anybody has painted or powdercoated the mags in White or a Pewter. Would love to see what they look like?

 

[QWERTYMage]

nice ive been sweating that kit

 

[apsracing]

nice ive been sweating that kit

Finally got some cash to get the tins painted now i just have to decide on a fender.
Let me know which one you like.

I also finally giured how and where to mount the battery. I am going to enclose the battery in a rubber mat and maybe a light gauge metalbox

 

[ippytattoo]

You may want to take a closer look at the battery you are wanting to use. When i was first getting my bike up and running I was trying to use very similar batteries and I kept having a problem with over charging and killing cells in the battery. Just a heads up on my experiences.

 

[apsracing]

so what did you do for a battery than. I searched a ton of post and checked out a ton of batteries. I got this one for cheap to try it out. I am running a stock crashing system

 

[apsracing]

Finally got some time to work. Sne my tins out to Iron Inc. He is a painter that i met through this site. the guy is great to deal with and did a fantastic job. Here are some quick pics of the tins and one of it on the bike. Hoefully i will get some time to start putting this thing back together.

 

[Iron_inc]

Can't wait to see your bike come together