My first build and first XS650

[Yamaha_chop]

Love the bike so far man, got a really good look to it.

One voice of experience though. You will probably want to remake the sissy bar out of Thicker round bar. I used a similar thickness as you for my fender supports, and the vibration of these engines is bad enough to cause them to bounce all over the place. I eventually re-made them using 1/2" roundbar and it was finally strong enough to resist. I imagine your sissy bar will bounce all over the place as it sits

 

[missile150]

Love the bike so far man, got a really good look to it.

One voice of experience though. You will probably want to remake the sissy bar out of Thicker round bar. I used a similar thickness as you for my fender supports, and the vibration of these engines is bad enough to cause them to bounce all over the place. I eventually re-made them using 1/2" roundbar and it was finally strong enough to resist. I imagine your sissy bar will bounce all over the place as it sits

Thanks for the reply. It is made with 3/8" round stock. Do you not think it will be ok?

 

[Yamaha_chop]

That's what I had made mine out of originally thinking it would be enough. Nope....

 

[missile150]

That's what I had made mine out of originally thinking it would be enough. Nope....

Do you have a picture of yours so I can see how you did it?

 

[Yamaha_chop]

Kind of hard to see here, but those fender struts are 3/8" round bar. They are a bit different in that they are a consistent arc instead of a straight line. But when I was talking about yours I was referencing the sissy bar portion that comes up off of the fender.

 

[missile150]

Nice project. I see the curve. I think your bars have a lot more stress on them since mine go almost straight up. The angle is deceiving. Your only point of contact seems to be the start of the curve. But I like the curve you did. It really makes the lines flow by hiding the struts and seeing as much of those wheels as possible.

 

[missile150]

Got the pipes grinder down today. They will be coated then wrapped, so perfection from a tig weld wasn't necessary.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]


Next is on to the remote master cylinder for the front brake!

 

[missile150]

I figured I would put some close-ups of my forwards on here since I was asked some questions about them.

I also had to modify my tail light to have a piece of clear for a running light ivermectin the plate as per state laws and crap. I cut out the part and then cut, heated, shaped and fit a piece of plexiglass in the housing. It came out pretty good I think.

I also welded some tabs for my rear turn signals and a mount for my master cylinder. I will post some pics of those tomorrow.

 

[missile150]

Here are a few pics of where I am going to mount my remote master cylinder and rear turn signals.

 

[atomic22]

Even though I did not want blinkers, I found these small LED lights. I want no hassles when i ride. They should hide pretty well. I have to weld some tabs on for them. And yes, that is a dime they are next to.

Love the build so far.

Where did you get the lights from and what are they?
Have you installed them?

 

[missile150]

I found them on eBay. I didn't want turn signals, but for the laws sake, I am putting on some that are as small as I could find. I have not put them on yet. I touched them to a car battery, though. I think they will be bright enough at night, but during the day they may be drown out by the sun. But that is ok with me as I don't want them anyway.

 

[missile150]

Well, I got the kicker done, as well as reshaping the side stand, welding on tabs to mount the brake line and cable, and made a piece to keep the brake line be the fork and caliper. Her are a bunch of pictures. I had to make some spacers for the kicker because my I was having a hard time finding the right ones. I spun some up on my mini lathe from aluminum solid bar stock. They work perfectly! I think I am ready to start the finish powder and paint. Still a lot of work to do, but I keep getting closer. Enjoy

 

[sseres]

very inspiring! I totally get the "life gets in the way" aspect of bike building...

On my current engine build, I'm mirror-polishing the side covers and valve/tappet covers. I had the big engine pieces bead blasted and love the look. However, it's not well protected with just some spray clear coat. What do you think it would do to power coat them clear (next time) in terms of preserving the look of the unfinished aluminum?

 

[missile150]

very inspiring! I totally get the "life gets in the way" aspect of bike building...

On my current engine build, I'm mirror-polishing the side covers and valve/tappet covers. I had the big engine pieces bead blasted and love the look. However, it's not well protected with just some spray clear coat. What do you think it would do to power coat them clear (next time) in terms of preserving the look of the unfinished aluminum?

If you went with a very low gloss clear, it would help protect the natural look. But it would still like slightly different because it is coated. But the clear powder would hold up better than paint. Most people probably wouldn't even notice it.

 

[the badger]

Which frame is it best to build a cafe racer with?

 

[Unfocused]

More info on how you built that kicker please. If I can do it myself I will, but I do know that they are available retail on-line.

 

[missile150]

Started powder coating some stuff this weekend. Candy green., copper orange flake and texture black. So happy this bike is getting closer. Now just to get the wife to part with some cash for some more stuff. Lol!

 

[TurboFarviknugn]

YOU BETTER hide that Cookie Monster towel or the kiddo's are gonna tell on you !!!

Did you do that GREEN & ORANGE as a powder coat ? IF so I want to see some pics of your oven set-up ALSO who your powder supplier is, I have gotten some cool looking powders from PENDRY POWDERCOATING, BUT nothing that nice !!

 

[TurboFarviknugn]

More info on how you built that kicker please. If I can do it myself I will, but I do know that they are available retail on-line.

I actually cut down an old bicycle crank and the stock kicker, welded em together. Now if I want to change the look I just screw on a new pedal, just remember the LOCKTITE !!

Took me all of about an HOUR and $5.00 in parts.

 

[missile150]

More info on how you built that kicker please. If I can do it myself I will, but I do know that they are available retail on-line.

It cut the little nob off the end of the kicker, drilled and tapped it, made those spacers so they are solid all the way through and drilled the pedal on the inside to 9/16" so the kicker slid through. The pedal is solid and turns well.