Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Hello again one and all!
After a few years away from the XS fray, I have decided that my next project will be another XS. The past few years I have been building race bikes and playing on the tracks and road circuits. Some of you may remember me from my UK Bobber build thread, UK Cafe racer build thread, or my last build the UK Board Tracker.
I have always like the short brat style bikes. So... the plan is to get a donor machine at some point next year after I have moved house. Simple build with the key themes around:
Lowered rear suspension
Lowered front suspension
Mild apes
18” front and rear rims
Drum rear, possible drum front
PMA, Boyer ignition
VM carbs
Full rebuild on the engine
Topped off with a fairly bright and intricate paint job
But first, the engine! With no space, a full build isn’t possible until I move house into somewhere with a double garage. However, with lockdown in the UK leaving me with little to do, an XS engine fell into my lap, so I thought let’s start the build, engine first!
The engine is in a very poor state of repair but it does turn over. The plan is the usual, to completely strip and rebuild with new gaskets, seals, bearings, bolts,nuts, etc etc. With this engine build, I’ll have a little more time to hand, so I’ll be making more custom parts to set it aside from the rest.
Things like, machined inlet tubes, oil cooler (maybe with a clear viewing panel), cam covers, sump plugs are all on the cards.
Here’s some pics of the starting point .... at least I’m saving it... the tear down begins at the weekend.
After a few years away from the XS fray, I have decided that my next project will be another XS. The past few years I have been building race bikes and playing on the tracks and road circuits. Some of you may remember me from my UK Bobber build thread, UK Cafe racer build thread, or my last build the UK Board Tracker.
I have always like the short brat style bikes. So... the plan is to get a donor machine at some point next year after I have moved house. Simple build with the key themes around:
Lowered rear suspension
Lowered front suspension
Mild apes
18” front and rear rims
Drum rear, possible drum front
PMA, Boyer ignition
VM carbs
Full rebuild on the engine
Topped off with a fairly bright and intricate paint job
But first, the engine! With no space, a full build isn’t possible until I move house into somewhere with a double garage. However, with lockdown in the UK leaving me with little to do, an XS engine fell into my lap, so I thought let’s start the build, engine first!
The engine is in a very poor state of repair but it does turn over. The plan is the usual, to completely strip and rebuild with new gaskets, seals, bearings, bolts,nuts, etc etc. With this engine build, I’ll have a little more time to hand, so I’ll be making more custom parts to set it aside from the rest.
Things like, machined inlet tubes, oil cooler (maybe with a clear viewing panel), cam covers, sump plugs are all on the cards.
Here’s some pics of the starting point .... at least I’m saving it... the tear down begins at the weekend.