What have you done to your XS today?

[Ratranger]

I traded my 73 triumph spitfire with Toyota driveline for a 1980 XS650. It's been sorta bobbed, and I plan on going sorta cafe style. Plans are longer rear shocks, rebuild or replace forks, fix seat hoop and put on better seat, rewire, and superbike bars.

 

[tzimmerm]

I traded my 73 triumph spitfire with Toyota driveline for a 1980 XS650. It's been sorta bobbed, and I plan on going sorta cafe style. Plans are longer rear shocks, rebuild or replace forks, fix seat hoop and put on better seat, rewire, and superbike bars.

Seems like a fair trade

 

[Superjet]

Gonna look good with taller shocks for sure!

 

[Ratranger]

Seems like a fair trade

Yeah. I had the triumph listed for $3k, the toyota driveline on its own could have sold for $2k, and a running titled XS is 2-5k around here. It seemed fair, and a bike with the right mods is easier to move later.

 

[tzimmerm]

Ok! This IS the proper thread for this- Just got home from one of my favorite rides after installing my *new to me* buckhorns from Tom. Another big thanks to Mrbultaco!! I’ve gotta say- I LOVE them! SOO much more comfortable and laid back ride. Also brings out the bikes classic lines. I plan on making a video of this same ride for you all tomorrow- I don’t want to boast, but I have some of the best most beautiful short hour-long ride roads around where I live.
Before and after shots-
Old new
Old
New
Old
New

 

[MrBultaco]

I'm glad you like them.

 

[lakeview]

Just Showin' Off

Engine Install in Under Half an Hour.
I have posted about this before, but this one went really well. I laid the motor on the right side as the case is nice and smooth and movements are easier. Leveled it with a chunk of 2 x 8.

Gently set the freshly painted frame over the lump and put it in position. Align the bottom or rear mount or both with a little jiggling or screwdriver leverage and.....

Drop the bolts in, twirl the nuts on a bit so they don't get lost, set it upright and lever the caster platform under it.
Compose a self congratulatory but humble post for the site.
Go feed the dogs.
Done.

 

[timbeck]

Good for you !! I'm getting close to that point myself.
tim

 

[Mailman]

Ok! This IS the proper thread for this- Just got home from one of my favorite rides after installing my *new to me* buckhorns from Tom. Another big thanks to Mrbultaco!! I’ve gotta say- I LOVE them! SOO much more comfortable and laid back ride. Also brings out the bikes classic lines. I plan on making a video of this same ride for you all tomorrow- I don’t want to boast, but I have some of the best most beautiful short hour-long ride roads around where I live.
Before and after shots-
View attachment 141749 OldView attachment 141750 new
View attachment 141751 Old
View attachment 141752 New
View attachment 141753 Old
View attachment 141754 New

TZ, your bike is looking nice! I’m happy to hear you are enjoying being part of the Buckhorn gang!

Just Showin' Off
View attachment 141755
Engine Install in Under Half an Hour.
I have posted about this before, but this one went really well. I laid the motor on the right side as the case is nice and smooth and movements are easier. Leveled it with a chunk of 2 x 8.
View attachment 141756
Gently set the freshly painted frame over the lump and put it in position. Align the bottom or rear mount or both with a little jiggling or screwdriver leverage and.....
View attachment 141757
Drop the bolts in, twirl the nuts on a bit so they don't get lost, set it upright and lever the caster platform under it.
Compose a self congratulatory but humble post for the site.
Go feed the dogs.
Done.

Lakeview, you make it look easy buddy! Tell me , how do you wrestle the engine around , do you have a lift or are you Strong like Bull!

 

[lakeview]

Levers, wheels and inclined planes!
The two wheeled dolly is your friend.

 

[chicagobob]

Added road tires (Shinko 712s), new chain and sprockets and new swing arm bushings. Also got a nice original seat from eBay. Bike is much more enjoyable to ride. I haven't had the energy to look into the steering head bearings, but the fork seems quite stable and smooth, so it can wait.

 

[tzimmerm]

Added road tires (Shinko 712s), new chain and sprockets and new swing arm bushings. Also got a nice original seat from eBay. Bike is much more enjoyable to ride. I haven't had the energy to look into the steering head bearings, but the fork seems quite stable and smooth, so it can wait.

GREAT looking bike. Love that retro tank.

 

[Mailman]

That bike is such a nice looking bike! It’s good to see another one brought back to life!

 

[MaxPete]

Lakeview - congrats! Well done on that install.

Bob - another beautiful ‘76 - very nice!

TZ - buck horns - way to go! Looks a lot more comfy than the apes.

Pete

 

[Ratranger]

No pictures, but I ordered all the stuff to fully reweire the 1980. That means it'll have handlebar switches, a start button, turn signals, you know everything it's supposed to have.

 

[lakeview]

Livin' on the Edge

P O has thoroughly ground off the centre stand mounts so I had to adapt an alternate method of getting the rear wheel on. Project did come with new shocks, so now wrestling with the new rubber bushings on the top mounts.
Plan is to mount the shocks and get the bike off its jury rigged perch.

I do not recall seeing this nice clip to go over the rear chain guard mount on any of my other Standards. Makes me think the PO had a fairly nice complete bike to start with.

 

[lakeview]

Back to stability.
On to the front of the bike.

 

[bluesman650]

Added road tires (Shinko 712s), new chain and sprockets and new swing arm bushings. Also got a nice original seat from eBay. Bike is much more enjoyable to ride. I haven't had the energy to look into the steering head bearings, but the fork seems quite stable and smooth, so it can wait.

Great looking bike! I have a 75' and would like to put some bar's like your's. Can you tell me what they are and where you got them?

 

[Mailman]

Livin' on the Edge
View attachment 141935
P O has thoroughly ground off the centre stand mounts so I had to adapt an alternate method of getting the rear wheel on. Project did come with new shocks, so now wrestling with the new rubber bushings on the top mounts.
Plan is to mount the shocks and get the bike off its jury rigged perch.
View attachment 141936
I do not recall seeing this nice clip to go over the rear chain guard mount on any of my other Standards. Makes me think the PO had a fairly nice complete bike to start with.

That’s a pretty snazzy looking swing arm you got there buddy! Bike is looking good!

 

[lakeview]

It's a Roller ..... and a Tease

Bit of a tussle getting the front wheel on with no centre stand but it's done. Not sure if I will retain the dual discs, I will have to see what parts came with it. So far PO's apparent plans seem well thought out and I am pretty much just bolting together stuff he prepared. Hope he is as correct about how well it ran before he started on it!

This tank and a silver tank came with it. PO had also shortened a seat base and retained the use of the hinges, but the local trim guy thinks he needs 250 to supply material and
upholster it. It came with a decent harness so I guess that is next.