I've bought a frame for 99p!

SpookyWizard

SpookyWizard

The real magic is that I haven't blown myself up!
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My first bike and also my first venture into building/restoring

I'm Picking up a frame on Friday that I purchased for 99p! (Not sure how I managed it haha)

I've got a 1981 engine in a hardtail frame that is mostly complete but i haven't tried starting yet and some boxes of parts from the original bike to hopefully build into a street tracker/scrambler

I will try to update this whenever I remember but progress will be slow as I'm completely learning from new!
Screenshot_20220504-095336_eBay.jpg
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SpookyWizard said:
My first bike and also my first venture into building/restoring

I'm Picking up a frame on Friday that I purchased for 99p! (Not sure how I managed it haha)

I've got a 1981 engine in a hardtail frame that is mostly complete but i haven't tried starting yet and some boxes of parts from the original bike to hopefully build into a street tracker/scrambler

I will try to update this whenever I remember but progress will be slow as I'm completely learning from new! View attachment 213628View attachment 213629
Click to expand...
Good luck! We'll be watching.
 
Well done, Spooky, for deciding to give it a go. You must already realise that you have a long and bumpy road ahead of you? Going to need a lot of patience and persistence. Or money, which can substitute. I'm guessing that the boxes of bits include some useful stuff like lights, instruments, tank? Though you might be looking for a different tank if you are building a tracker/scrambler? Tell us a bit more about yourself - this is your first bike, which makes this a very ambitious project. But do you have experience in other areas which will help?

This forum is a very useful resource and whatever questions you ask, there are plenty of people here who've been there, done that, and are willing to share their knowledge.
 
Raymond said:
Well done, Spooky, for deciding to give it a go. You must already realise that you have a long and bumpy road ahead of you? Going to need a lot of patience and persistence. Or money, which can substitute. I'm guessing that the boxes of bits include some useful stuff like lights, instruments, tank? Though you might be looking for a different tank if you are building a tracker/scrambler? Tell us a bit more about yourself - this is your first bike, which makes this a very ambitious project. But do you have experience in other areas which will help?

This forum is a very useful resource and whatever questions you ask, there are plenty of people here who've been there, done that, and are willing to share their knowledge.
Click to expand...
Oh I definitely do haha!

I have my old man who was in the grasstrack and speedway scene as a youth and his friend who before getting ill worked on and owned bikes for most of his life to advise on mechanical stuff other than that it's the Haynes manual, patience and the fine advise this forum offers!

As for me, I don't have any experience with bikes or mechanics directly other than an interest in tinkering with anything I can and a love of learning new skills (jack of all trades master of none) I'm a boatbuilding apprentice by trade and have some applicable skills, I can fibreglass pretty well and also I'm not too shabby at spraying some paint down when needed!

My box of bits consists of new set of gaskets, brake spares, disk and cables, electrical spares including new battery, clutch spares like a new spring and some other bits which I think are a spare lever, lights, front and back as well as the stock mirrors and indicators!

I have a set of xt500 forks and picking up hopefully a set of wheels and swinging arm to match the stock frame and the tank to go with it!

Other than that the previous owner said all the engine needed was kick start, se banjo bolts and a oil feed union bolt/adapter bolt which I've got ordered and will be hopefully trying to start her this weekend if all goes well!
 
SpookyWizard said:
. . . will be hopefully trying to start her this weekend if all goes well!
Click to expand...
Steady on - how long is it since the bike ran? If it's been a while, there are things you oughta look at and prepare. Carbs can be gummed up, modern fuel left for a while goes like sticky varnish. Check there's enough oil, maybe put a spoonful into each cylinder, the turn the engine over a good few times to distribute that, prime the oil pump and push some oil up to the valve gear. Somebody will be along to recommend other things you ought to check but here's a thread from the Tech section - might be a bit overkill, especially if PO can give you history about when the bike last run, but then again might be worth a look:

https://www.xs650.com/threads/starting-an-engine-after-a-long-lay-up.48411/#post-490543
 
Last edited:
Raymond said:
Steady on - how long is it since the bike ran? If it's been a while, there are things you oughta look at and prepare. Carbs can be gummed up, modern fuel left for a while goes like sticky varnish. Check there's enough oil, maybe put a spoonful into each cylinder, the turn the engine over a good few times to distribute that, prime the oil pump and push some oil up to the valve gear. Somebody will be along to recommend other things you ought to check but here's a thread from the Tech section - might be a bit overkill, especially if PO can give you history about when the bike last run, but then again might be worth a look:

https://www.xs650.com/threads/starting-an-engine-after-a-long-lay-up.48411/#post-490543
Click to expand...
Trying to run before I can walk haha 🤔

It's been stood in a garage for 2+ years, I've had a cautionary look over it and I think it's going to need a bit of tlc, carbs look clean enough and not sticky but I will take them off when I can and have a better look.
I'm going to drain out the last of the oil (guy before me drained it recently but never filled it up again) and also will check over the filters etc whilst she's empty. Then I will do some of the other checks in the thread you posted! Thanks for the help so far....its going to be a long but fun road! 😀
 
Been on a treasure hunt today into South Devon! £60 and 4 hours driving I now have my £0.99 frame that has been butcherd sadly, swinging arm, a set of spoked wheels that need a rebuild and a serious day at the spa! And a fairly clean tank with new filler cap! Will get some pictures tomorrow in the daylight! 😁
 
As promised...some pictures

The tank, needs some love but seems to be fairly undamaged, what's a good way of removing rust from the inside? I've seen bottles of tank cleaner online is that worth a try, and how effective is it, the chap gave me a new in the box filler cap with keys as well!

The frame looks like it's had some "work" done to it...
a sprung seat mount?
one of the foot peg mounts cut away?
And some bits repaired/ground off on the swing arm?

What's people's verdict on it, I won't be needing the rear footpegs as only will have a single seat in the end, the frame number dosnt seem to match any on thread I can find on here?

The wheels are pretty corroded but not rusted or damaged obviously on first glance, the rear hub isn't complete but do they
20220507_150514.jpg
20220507_150448.jpg
look worth rebuilding?
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⅕
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I took a look on ebay and managed to find a TX750 swing arm. Same dimensions as the XS650 item but heavier & stiffer so I fitted it as an upgrade. You could look for sommat similar? Probably cost more than 99p though.

And of course, it means I have an XS650 item going begging:


PICT0198.JPG


Not perfect but perfectly serviceable & probably clean up quite nice with a bit of work.
 
Raymond said:
I took a look on ebay and managed to find a TX750 swing arm. Same dimensions as the XS650 item but heavier & stiffer so I fitted it as an upgrade. You could look for sommat similar? Probably cost more than 99p though.

And of course, it means I have an XS650 item going begging:


View attachment 213918


Not perfect but perfectly serviceable & probably clean up quite nice with a bit of work.
Click to expand...
That's interesting to know about the TX750!
Raymond said:
Spooky, make me an offer if interested. I think there's a spare s/arm pivot bolt too, but I'd need to check it's condition.
Click to expand...
Ah awesome, let me know if you do, I've no idea for prices, seen them on ebay for between £25-£60 how's about £40 + postage whatever that would be? :)
 

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