smking0656
XS650 Enthusiast
I recently purchased a 1972 XS650 and I need some help deciding what to do with it. I was looking for one of these mostly for the engine just because they look really cool and I’ve read they are easy to work on and run good. I’m 63 years old and have worked on all kinds of cars and motorcycles doing simple things. I got this as a winter project to start building my own bike. I don’t know much about the different models and years what’s good and what’s not. I did want electric start because I have a knee problem. Didn’t know till after I got this one it was the first year for electric start.
I got it for a low price without a title so I thought it was going to be mostly junk with a few good parts. When I picked it up the guy said he got it from an estate sale from the original owners family 4 years ago with 8400 miles on it. It has a 1984 inspection sticker on it. He got it running when he got it but that was it and just let it sit. He also made a poor attempt at painting it including the engine. It looks all original including the tires. The only thing missing is the seat. Its dirty and has rust here and there and hasn't had much attention. I have not tried starting it yet.
I like the scrambler and street tracker look but don’t want to modify this bike if its getting hard to find original ones.
So here are the options I came up with, let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Steve
I got it for a low price without a title so I thought it was going to be mostly junk with a few good parts. When I picked it up the guy said he got it from an estate sale from the original owners family 4 years ago with 8400 miles on it. It has a 1984 inspection sticker on it. He got it running when he got it but that was it and just let it sit. He also made a poor attempt at painting it including the engine. It looks all original including the tires. The only thing missing is the seat. Its dirty and has rust here and there and hasn't had much attention. I have not tried starting it yet.
I like the scrambler and street tracker look but don’t want to modify this bike if its getting hard to find original ones.
So here are the options I came up with, let me know what you think.
- Sell it as is. I'm not looking to make money on it.
- Get a title (if I can) clean it up and get it running then sell it.
- Do what I want with it and not be concerned with the originality of it.
Thanks,
Steve