77-81 XS650 "JADE" Tribute Build

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

Hello. I believe this is the right place for this ongoing thread. But if it is not, my apologies to the moderators.

This is my 1981 XS650 "JADE"

I have a long history with this build/bike. The engine was gifted to me by my late fiance Olena one Christmas. I had a cb750 at the time that I sold to put towards a wedding and down payment on a house for us. I had a few bikes and parted with them all. (Bachelors life)

When my fiance found out from my roommate, she took it upon herself to get me this xs650 from someone on Craigslist or Facebook who told her this bike was a better British bike than the old British bikes. She knew I loved the 60s era British bikes and had passed on getting a good condition Tr6. She presented the bike to me late Christmas morning with a note saying she couldn't wait to see what I would make of it and the trips we would take together.

Around four months later, I laid her to rest after she lost a battle with lung cancer. (The same illness that claimed her father)
I couldn't even look at the bike. My roommate convinced me not to get rid of it and offered to keep it in his family's storage unit.

Over fifteen years later, I am working in the ER during the height of the pandemic; in need of something to help me decompress during my downtime, when my old roommate contacts me saying he's cleaning out the storage unit and asking if I want to take the bike. I had forgotten all about it.

So now in the last few years, I have slowly started wrenching on it at night. (I have trouble sleeping) Determined to finish it for myself and in memory of my Olena. The vision is 60s era desert sled with a touch of Japanese Brat-style thrown in.

The bike's name is Jade, as that was a nickname I gave to Olena for her green eyes. The final tank/trim color will be Aston Martin Green with a nickel frame.

Everything except the engine itself has come from various other XS650 models, SR500, Suzuki twins, various vendors that still make parts for the XS, and a modern Triumph Thruxton.

I will update the build thread as I move forward, but I want to thank everyone here for their wealth of knowledge and community, and to any still reading this, thank you for your time.

~ Starcrossedmoto

 

[Charles13]

omg. That’s too sad.

 

[Jim]

Looking forward to seeing Jade come to life!!

 

[nj1639]

A right proper introduction.
Welcome aboard!

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

omg. That’s too sad.

Thank you. She was elegant but humble; loyal and a little mischievous. Always loved to laugh.

Looking forward to seeing Jade come to life!!

Thank you! That makes two of us!

A right proper introduction.
Welcome aboard!

Many thanks!

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

My house has no garage, so I brought the engine down to my basement where I have done two other bikes piece by piece.

After a few weeks of deciding on a look/goal, I began sourcing and ordering parts including a titled frame.

First things first was to see what shape the engine was in...not good if the spark plugs are any indication.

I have new big fin cylinders and new pistons. A few weeks sitting full of Marvel Mystery Oil 50/50 acetone and the engine kicked over.

I like the brushed metal look so I refurbished the front end off a '79 standard. Sanding block on a '80 clutch lever and a brake lever I had from an old Honda scrambler.

Mirror from 4into1 and Euro flat-track bars.

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

Never a fan of choppers, but I do like the look of a smaller Bates-style headlight. And while I am not into that Steampunk trend, the bronze/copper I think looks pretty slick against the silver and chrome.

Springer front end looks vintage and tough, but too expensive, impractical, and not right for this build. Repurposed the stock headlight/fork shrouds minus the ears, and found a good use for an old pair of factory shocks off an old Suzuki GS450.

 

[bosco659]

I’m so sorry for your loss, sounds like Olena was a wonderful girl. That’s great you’re working on it to get it on the road. I’ll follow this thread with interest.

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

I’m so sorry for your loss, sounds like Olena was a wonderful girl. That’s great you’re working on it to get it on the road. I’ll follow this thread with interest.

She was, thank you. Working and planning this build gave me the itch to get back in the saddle as well, so I picked up an xs850 that is my daily commuter and...I have to say kickstarting a bike then riding it...takes me back to all the single cylinder thumpers my brothers and I used to ride as kids. We'd go tear-a$$ing around chasing each other on our grandparents' property up in the mountains. Didn't realize how much I missed all that.

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

As stated before the engine did come with a frame...that was rusted and hacked so getting a titled frame compatible was priority no. 2.

After reading various threads here and elsewhere, I determined which model and year frames would bolt to my engine and offer me spoked wheels.

Found an '80 Special, titled, dirty, but not rusty, mostly complete except for the engine and the front forks.

Front forks are from a '79. (Not sure how to tell whether standard or special)

I removed the tabs for the stepped cruiser seat, but left the frame otherwise unchanged. Second-hand custom seat made for a Yamaha SR500 and reupholstered in rich brown fits perfectly on the 650 frame.

Front forks rebuilt and lowered using parts from Hugh's Handbuilt, Motolanna, and xs650.com

 

[arcticXS]

Sorry to hear about your loss!
It is good to see you are getting on with life and honoring her memory by building up the bike she gave you

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

While it seems the overwhelming consensus is for disdain of all 16" rear wheels I doubled down.

'79 front forks with an '81 Special front hub. Rim was 19" and bent so I replaced it with the 16" rim off rear wheel of a Suzuki GR650.

Had all parts vapor blasted and powder coated satin nickel with bronze accents. Stainless steel spokes from Buchanan's. New bearings from All Balls. Speedo delete from HHB.

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

Sorry to hear about your loss!
It is good to see you are getting on with life and honoring her memory by building up the bike she gave you

Thank you. Loss is...loss. I have never learned how to lessen that sting, but contrary to what I feared, when wrenching it has brought back the memories of joy and peace she brought to my life, and I have found myself remembering details of her I never knew I treasured.

 

[Adamc]

Hello. I believe this is the right place for this ongoing thread. But if it is not, my apologies to the moderators.

This is my 1981 XS650 "JADE"

I have a long history with this build/bike. The engine was gifted to me by my late fiance Olena one Christmas. I had a cb750 at the time that I sold to put towards a wedding and down payment on a house for us. I had a few bikes and parted with them all. (Bachelors life)

When my fiance found out from my roommate, she took it upon herself to get me this xs650 from someone on marketplace who told her this bike was a better British bike than the old British bikes. She knew I loved the 60s era British bikes and had passed on getting a good condition Tr6. She presented the bike to me late Christmas morning with a note saying she couldn't wait to see what I would make of it and the trips we would take together.

Around four months later, I laid her to rest after she lost a battle with lung cancer. (The same illness that claimed her father)
I couldn't even look at the bike. My roommate convinced me not to get rid of it and offered to keep it in his family's storage unit.

Over fifteen years later, I am working in the ER during the height of the pandemic; in need of something to help me decompress during my downtime, when my old roommate contacts me saying he's cleaning out the storage unit and asking if I want to take the bike. I had forgotten all about it.

So now in the last few years, I have slowly started wrenching on it at night. (I have trouble sleeping) Determined to finish it for myself and in memory of my Olena. The vision is 60s era desert sled with a touch of Japanese Brat-style thrown in.

The bike's name is Jade, as that was a nickname I gave to Olena for her green eyes. The final tank/trim color will be Aston Martin Green with a nickel frame.

Everything except the engine itself has come from various other XS650 models, SR500, Suzuki twins, various vendors that still make parts for the XS, and a modern Triumph Thruxton.

I will update the build thread as I move forward, but I want to thank everyone here for their wealth of knowledge and community, and to any still reading this, thank you for your time.

~ Starcrossedmoto

Sad for your loss, but happy for you that you have something to remember her by.
Cool build as I said on another thread. Nice details with the springs and exhaust.
Overall a great looking sled.

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

Sad for your loss, but happy for you that you have something to remember her by.
Cool build as I said on another thread. Nice details with the springs and exhaust.
Overall a great looking sled.

Thank you. I honestly just lurked about this site for some time not wanting to post anything on my build being in awe of so much of the talent and skill presented here.

While I would ride a Vespa until the seas dried up if it meant I could have have her sitting behind me again, I do believe I can do more justice to this bike now than I could have then.

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

There are plenty of aftermarket pipes for these bikes, but when I picked up the frame, the seller included the exhaust
The mufflers were rusted through but the headers were ok. Metal rescue outside and in along with some Scotch-brite discs on the angle grinder and the headers have grown on me.

2" diameter stainless steel pipe 30" long. Cut in half to make two 15" mufflers. Drag Specialties baffles inside. And custom brass exhaust tips made by Brass Cycle Works. (I found him via this forum! He does incrediblework! Artek)

Handmade leather keychain to match the seat.

 

[nj1639]

I must say that this is a build thread that appeals to our modern desire of instant gratification!
Kudos to keeping this all close to the chest over this last year or so and then dropping it down like a hand of Knock Rummy.
Looking forward to hearing this running.
Overall A+

 

[Raymond]

Good on you fer getting on with the build after all that time, good build, good tribute to Olena.

 

[bosco659]

Looking great! Nice progress and your pics and write ups are great. You’ll be riding it in no time!

 

[STARCROSSEDMOTO]

I must say that this is a build thread that appeals to our modern desire of instant gratification!
Kudos to keeping this all close to the chest over this last year or so and then dropping it down like a hand of Knock Rummy.
Looking forward to hearing this running.
Overall A+

Thank you. Though I'm more of an UNO type of guy than Rummy.

Good on you fer getting on with the build after all that time, good build, good tribute to Olena.

Thank you. It has been just what I needed and cathartic.

Looking great! Nice progress and your pics and write ups are great. You’ll be riding it in no time!

Why thank you. Always concerned I sound like a long-winded ol' coot. lol.