But I also realized I had another problem with the front.
Since the XS650 front wheel uses the same axle, bearings, spacers, speedo drive, etc., as the XS500, I just assumed that it would be a bolt on deal. Nope....no such luck.
After removing the fender, brace, caliper, etc., and trial fitting it several different ways, and taking several (admittedly, not super scientific) measurements, we finally came to see that the front hub on the Star/Pentagram wheel is narrower than the stock XS650 hub.
So, add some spacers, you say? Not quite so easy, as the speedo drive
must seat up against the LH fork in order to "capture" it so that the gear drive works.
As you can see, there's a 10mm gap there.
And on the RH side, the rotor must center in the caliper, but the caliper is soild mounted to the fork.
This one was a bit of a head scratcher for a day or so. I knew I needed spacers, but how? Then my Dad mentioned spacing out the caliper. That makes perfect sense. I can see the "kit" coming with some 10mm spacers or bolts to move the caliper off the fork so that the speedo drive will engage.
The axle will be easy, and the lower bolt on the caliper shouldn't be a problem. The upper caliper mount is a stud, but we have an idea in mind.
The fact that the wheel is narrower is an oddity to me. I can't imagine that Yamaha/Shelby/whoever made these wheels, would have made different front wheels for the 500 vs. the 650.
For example, the Lester wheels for the Hondas are all the same on the front; the CB500/550/750 and even the GL1000 all use the same wheel. The rears are different because of brake backing plate differences and, for the GL1000, shaft drive.
I'm still not sure why the Pentagram is that way, but it's nothing we can't overcome. I just wasn't expecting it on the front. I
knew we'd need spacers on the rear, since we're converting from drum to disc, but this one threw me for a loop.
And speaking of the rear....