ZeroDruul
XS650 Member
Hey xs650 community, this is my first build/first time really working on a motorcycle. I have owned a few motorcycles before including one cx500 cafe-ish bike that i loved. something about the forward lean made me feel more like a part of the bike, something ive fell in love with right away. Unfortunately it was short lived due to a drunk lady pulling out in front of me. sold the bike and regretted it ever since.
This is my project, a 1983 xs650 special. I picked it up last week from a family friend for $300 running. It has been sitting outside in the weather for some years but starts and seems to be in ok running order. Its dirty as heck and i can see that my idea of a quick project has been turned on its head. Thats ok, i rather take the time to get to know the bike and the community through this build so here we go.
Went out and bought a tool set and some degreaser and carb cleaner and rust penetrant and starting ripping into her(already a rookie mistake), should of taken the time to do a compression test and leak down test.
Plans:
-tear it down
-pull the engine
-replace,overbore,etc as needed
-either stick with stock tank and strip/repaint or get an xs750 fuel tank
-rebuild forks and lower the front end
-raise the rear about 2 inches with some new shocks.
-clip-ons
-hopefully a custom seat with a removable cowl(would like it to be a 2 seater) but we will see.
-replace all the bushings and electrics
-sure more as i take it apart
not sure what to do about wheels and tires yet. still got a lot of roaming around the how-to's and other peoples build threads.
started stripping it down and getting it ready to pull the engine. As this is my first time doing this and im doing it alone for now its taking some time so expect this to be a long project, but plan is to have it all done by the christmas break(impeccable timing) but since i live in NM it doesn't ever get unbearably cold.
Got a Clymer manual so that's helping as i take her apart.
looking forward to getting this project going and talkin with you guys.
This is my project, a 1983 xs650 special. I picked it up last week from a family friend for $300 running. It has been sitting outside in the weather for some years but starts and seems to be in ok running order. Its dirty as heck and i can see that my idea of a quick project has been turned on its head. Thats ok, i rather take the time to get to know the bike and the community through this build so here we go.
Went out and bought a tool set and some degreaser and carb cleaner and rust penetrant and starting ripping into her(already a rookie mistake), should of taken the time to do a compression test and leak down test.
Plans:
-tear it down
-pull the engine
-replace,overbore,etc as needed
-either stick with stock tank and strip/repaint or get an xs750 fuel tank
-rebuild forks and lower the front end
-raise the rear about 2 inches with some new shocks.
-clip-ons
-hopefully a custom seat with a removable cowl(would like it to be a 2 seater) but we will see.
-replace all the bushings and electrics
-sure more as i take it apart
not sure what to do about wheels and tires yet. still got a lot of roaming around the how-to's and other peoples build threads.
started stripping it down and getting it ready to pull the engine. As this is my first time doing this and im doing it alone for now its taking some time so expect this to be a long project, but plan is to have it all done by the christmas break(impeccable timing) but since i live in NM it doesn't ever get unbearably cold.
Got a Clymer manual so that's helping as i take her apart.
looking forward to getting this project going and talkin with you guys.
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