funky
XS650 Junkie
LOLOLOLOL you guys kill me i meant clip on crampons is what i use when i go mountaineering lolol
View attachment 58219I have a 78...pamco ignition hhb pma...drag bars...different headlight. .lowered forks and rear..speedo only...bar end mirrors. .some rewiring. ..but everything I did isn't extreme. ..so I kept all original parts and could go back that way if necessary.o yeah..still haven't shortened speedo cable. ..that's stock length.
How did you lower the forks?, I know with the rear is shorter coils ( with stronger recoil to compensate).
Hi 'driver,
let the fork tubes up through the triple trees, although they'll only go up an inch and a bit before they hit the bars.
Use clip-on bars above the top 'tree or bar setbacks if you need to go lower.
the limit then becomes when the fender hits the bottom 'tree on full bounce.
Shorter shocks will lower the back end.
An "arse up" stance quickens the steering; a tail-dragging stance slows it down.
Note that the more you lower the bike the less it will lean over before something grounds out.
I did the forks up thru the trees first but it was to close to my bars which made it right up on my hydraulic brake banjo...I could of got another shape fitting...but liked the hughshandbuilt drop to keep the forks functional...works great I did the 2 inch drop
The drag bars are comfortable too...I have brand new clubmans but when I mocked em up they didn't feel right cuz I use the stock footrests...unless you run rear sets maybe more comfortable. ..crampons or clip ons might work though
...A 72XS2 in good to great condition is a sort after model and is worth a penny or two, of course that is if a buyer is in the market when it is for sale...
Looks like an XS2...in pretty good condition. I'd consider restoring it personally. I wish someone would give me one of those...jealous!!!
Ditto! An unmolested 1972 XS2, 12k miles on the clock!
Expect more of this.
Definitely clean it up, get it running, ride it a bit before committing to any mods.
FYI, those early forks don't allow for lowering, can't slide the forks up through the trees.
Here's the manuals. Download everything on this page:
http://www.biker.net/70-73_650_parts/xs1 parts main.html
Yep, it's the second year produced. I'm not an expert on them as I've only had a '78 & '79... but I do think there are plenty of unique parts on it...Gas tank, side covers, etc are hard to come by if I recall...
There are experts on here that will likely point out the big ones.
Personal meaning of the machine trumps cash but you could sell that bike to a guy that wants to keep it as a "survivor" and get enough cash to buy a decent later special and a bunch of custom stuff too.
If you go ahead; the early years aren't really the best for cafe type riding. The frame brakes suspension are a bit ahem whippy. Early engines are strong running but a bit fragile compared to later engines.
72 has a one year only kinda weird front brake rotor setup with a mainly ignored service bulletin and a high parts count.
Part of the agreement of me getting it is that I never sell it. I know though that i can upgrade the suspension and the brakes( I can change the rotor/caliper) but what's wrong with the frame?