I think I am just going to spend the 1K and go with Hoos Racing. Might be a winter project.
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GS650. Received
- Thread starter BowlingSS
- Start date
Choices are never simple, are they? Have a look at the crank and rods before you buy pistons. If the coatings aren't intact in the small ends of the rods, you might want to think about looking for a good used crank.The first batch of XS1s had needle bearings in the small ends. Those quickly started to fail, which was why, well before the first model year was over, Yamaha switched to 22 mm. solid wrist pins. The combination of a hot cam and lack of meat in the small ends of the rods led to more failures than Yamaha's engineers liked, which is why the 447 engine came out in the 1974 TX650A with 20 mm. wrist pins and a milder cam. If you have to drop in a 447 crank, let me know; I have a 447 cam in need of a good home, yours for the asking.
I have to get all the bugs worked out before I spend the big bucks.
Here is the GS on the swing arm before painting.
Is the swing arm different in any way?? Strengthened or heavier tubing???
Looked the same to me.
Bike is ready and placed on eBay.
1972 Yamaha XS | eBay
1972 Yamaha XS | eBay
Boy you move fast !!! Only 6 weeks from the time you received it until listing it completed for sale. You do nice work too. No wonder you are looking for your next project... Keep 'em coming !!!
Very very nice! You do such impressive and fast work! Don’t you ever sleep? 
Good luck on your sale, I would imagine that would’ve been a hit at the big annual classic bike auction in Vegas. If it doesn’t sell on eBay you might keep that in mind. It’s the Mecham auction ( I believe it’s held in January? )
Good luck on your sale, I would imagine that would’ve been a hit at the big annual classic bike auction in Vegas. If it doesn’t sell on eBay you might keep that in mind. It’s the Mecham auction ( I believe it’s held in January? )
Nice Bill!!
I am retired and have the time. I have two more 72 and 73 coming from Gary. The 72 will take longer than my other 72s.
Did you do the paint or did someone else?
Really nice work brother. Thanks for taking us through the build and the history of the GS650.
I did the paint. I am not very good. I need more items to bondo and paint. Bomdo is a real pain.
I am impressed all over, I know what the price of the parts are you are almost passing it on at cost, it is worth more. I look forward to your next restro, I don't think I have time to sleep before you would have the next project stripped painted and completed lol.
Have you got your 73 yet?
I would like a 79 CB750. Wished I had one at a good price.
I was lucky enough that the seller agreed to my offer it only had 8200 miles and looks just like new. I did pay a reasonable price for me as we never saw them here just the standard K version which I owned 2 in my youth
Bondo is indeed a pain. They cost a little more, but aluminum-bearing fillers like Evercoat Metal 2 Metal and USC Allmetal are easier to work with and very durable. The fills on tanks I've done with those products are still invisible and show no signs of cracking out after more than 15 years.
