Xs-1b field find.

[Landinkyle]

Yes, you read it correctly. This was no barn find. My NTM XS1b was found uncovered in an open field in central Texas. I've been a fan of these vintage bikes for a while but never made any moves until this one came along. I bought both bikes pictured; the other, a KZ400 was promptly sold for the price I paid for the pair. So now, completely even on the deal, I'm starting to get to work restoring this one. I toyed with the idea of parting it out, but Ian (Interacts) convinced me to go for it. So here it is in all it's (former) glory. It's mostly complete, but has those awful bars, but it does have matching numbers, so what the heck. I'll update this from time to time with progress pictures and likely more questions than answers. If you have any advice along the way, I welcome it. I will also entertain any ridiculous offers.

Thanks for looking.

 

[weaselbeak]

I highly doubt those bars were made with the bike. Others will tell you for sure.

 

[Landinkyle]

Oh yeah, they are aftermarket for sure. And horrid. (at least in my opinion)

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

I'm amazed that it's not totally rusted out, especially with that mileage. A lot of the chrome seems intact.
Good find...

 

[fredintoon]

Oh yeah, they are aftermarket for sure. And horrid. (at least in my opinion)

Hi kyle,
you should pity the poor deformed fellow who had to put those horrid bars on the bike so he could ride it.
And yeah, a lucky find!

 

[angus67]

subscribed....

 

[interacts]

Good on you Kyle you will have a great bike and a good investment there when its finished.
Hang those bars off your workshop wall they would be a good talking piece.

 

[gggGary]

There is an NOS aftermarket set of extended gray cables for 70-71 Xs's designed for use with "tiller" bars on ebay right now. Nice find! I have gotten more early bikes with extended fork tubes than stock length. I blame it all on Easy Rider. 2many were you in Easy Rider?

Was just sent these tonight from my painter. Hope trav doesn't have to move this to the "adult" section now.

Sorry for barging.

 

[angus67]

There is an NOS aftermarket set of extended gray cables for 70-71 Xs's designed for use with "tiller" bars on ebay right now. Nice find! I have gotten more early bikes with extended fork tubes than stock length. I blame it all on Easy Rider. 2many were you in Easy Rider?

Was just sent these tonight from my painter. Hope trav doesn't have to move this to the "adult" section now.

View attachment 53339

View attachment 53340

View attachment 53339 View attachment 53340

Sorry for barging.

Show off. wheres the head light ears? pretty close match to that shock shroud.
I do hope the rest of the bike that's going on is just as orgasmic?
Excuse me....I think I pee'd a little.

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

gggGary, that gold is beautiful! You're getting closer.

... I blame it all on Easy Rider. 2many were you in Easy Rider?

Haha, I wish. No, in 1969 I was seriously engaged in other actions:


LandInKyle, here's some info you may find handy:

Yamaha XS1, XS1B, XS2, TX650 Tech Bulletins, Service Data, Brochures

256 Engine change chronology

More XS1B chatter in Angus's thread:

http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40322

 

[SantaFeTrailer]

HA! That's a good way of looking at it.