Sparky
XS650 Addict
Hi guys.
Ive been working on my first build (81 XS650) for about a month now, and though I've read dozens of posts on here for tips and tricks, this is my first post. The plan is to build it cheap, fast, have fun doing it, and end up with a fair-weather toy to take out when I'm not riding my 2006 Vstar.
First off, the wealth of info on here is staggering. It seems one can find most anything on building/working on a XS. Amazing.
Now, the good stuff.
The bike came to me free, beat up, kinda running, with plates from 1997 and a tank off a honda rebel. The PO didnt have a key, and the original tank was rusted anyway, so he tossed it. also, he smashed the ignition lock and was using a screwdriver to crank it.
[/URL]
So, it came home, got a bunch of new parts and an oil change. luckily for me, i had read about this and was prepared for it.
It got new bronze swingarm bushings and grease seals, and of course cleaning and repairing as I go.
Then, more Honda Rebel parts in the form of rear shocks to lower it. (Giant difference!)
After that, since the turn signals and headlight bucket had been smashed by the PO, I decided to strip it down to its bare bits. This required yanking the entire wiring harness and getting rid of about half of it. Also, I cleaned and re-painted the battery box, as it was looking rough.
Yesterday I yanked apart the front end and got to cleaning the forks and front wheel.
Today I got the forks polished up (nowhere near mirror finish, but plenty shiny.)
Speedometer (with custom needle and dials reset to zero), neutral and high beam indicators, and toggle for high/low beam.
As she sits now. Got the headlight bracket made today, and everything in the front end wired up and working. I just pulled the exhaust off, hopefully i can get that put back together tomorrow.
Left to do- 12" ape hangers, a seat, forward controls, rear fender (I think bob the factory one), taillight, and of course hacksaw day, when I remove all the factory brackets and frame bits that I do not need. Feel free to advise and criticize- I sure aint ever done this before!
And to end the post, a picture of the pile of stuff Ive removed from this beast....
Ive been working on my first build (81 XS650) for about a month now, and though I've read dozens of posts on here for tips and tricks, this is my first post. The plan is to build it cheap, fast, have fun doing it, and end up with a fair-weather toy to take out when I'm not riding my 2006 Vstar.
First off, the wealth of info on here is staggering. It seems one can find most anything on building/working on a XS. Amazing.
Now, the good stuff.
The bike came to me free, beat up, kinda running, with plates from 1997 and a tank off a honda rebel. The PO didnt have a key, and the original tank was rusted anyway, so he tossed it. also, he smashed the ignition lock and was using a screwdriver to crank it.
So, it came home, got a bunch of new parts and an oil change. luckily for me, i had read about this and was prepared for it.
It got new bronze swingarm bushings and grease seals, and of course cleaning and repairing as I go.
Then, more Honda Rebel parts in the form of rear shocks to lower it. (Giant difference!)
After that, since the turn signals and headlight bucket had been smashed by the PO, I decided to strip it down to its bare bits. This required yanking the entire wiring harness and getting rid of about half of it. Also, I cleaned and re-painted the battery box, as it was looking rough.
Yesterday I yanked apart the front end and got to cleaning the forks and front wheel.
Today I got the forks polished up (nowhere near mirror finish, but plenty shiny.)
Speedometer (with custom needle and dials reset to zero), neutral and high beam indicators, and toggle for high/low beam.
As she sits now. Got the headlight bracket made today, and everything in the front end wired up and working. I just pulled the exhaust off, hopefully i can get that put back together tomorrow.
Left to do- 12" ape hangers, a seat, forward controls, rear fender (I think bob the factory one), taillight, and of course hacksaw day, when I remove all the factory brackets and frame bits that I do not need. Feel free to advise and criticize- I sure aint ever done this before!
And to end the post, a picture of the pile of stuff Ive removed from this beast....
