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I have most of the original parts I had dreams of turning this into a cafe racer but it's been years now, I haven't done it :(. The frame has been modified for a cafe racer style seat and powder-coated glossy black. The bike is completely disassembled no longer have rims or gas tank. I'm ready...

Ok so I have an 81 that originally had a 16" rear wheel and I got an 18" rim to replace the 16" because I like the way it looks. But the spokes I ordered from Mikes are to long? I ordered the "Spoke Set - Rear 36pc.+ Nipples - Bright Cadium Plated Finish Fits: XS/TX 650's (1970-84) with 18"...

Has anyone cured any of the VHT high temp paints in their oven? If so how bad is the smell? Is it going to ruin my wifes oven? She's gone for the weekend so nows my opportunity :D Thanks Bill

I'm about ready to lace up my first set of wheels. Searching on here I've found some great resources on how to do it. Some people are recommending using a thread lubricant on the spokes. This makes sense but what do you use for a lubricant, grease, oil...or does it matter? Thanks Bill

My fork tubes are pitted looking for some clean replacements. Thanks Bill

Ok sorry for all the questions. I know I got a little ahead of myself by tearing down the bike before I got everything like the exhaust sorted out but I'm learning. So here's the deal, I want to eliminate the rear footpeg brackets from the frame. On the right side I realize this bracket also...

I've got the bike (81' special) stripped down to the frame and I'm in the process of removing un-needed tabs etc. But for the life of me I can't remember what this tab was for and I don't want to remove it, only to find out later I need it. Thanks for any help you can give me identifying this...

What's the consensus should you put the brass bushings in before or after having the swing arm powder coated. Is the heat an issue for the bushings?

Hi anybody have an 18" 36 spoke rear rim for sale? Thanks Bill

Sorry if this is a stupid question but the earlier XS650's had 18" rear wheels right? Is there any reason I can't swap an earlier model 18" rim for the 16" that's on my 81 special? Are the 18" hard to find used? Thanks Bill

So I want to upgrade my front suspension and have been looking on Mike's XS and 650 Central. I notice that there is quite a difference in price between the Front fork springs and emulators/fork damper valves. Is there a big difference, is it worth spending the extra money? I don't race and dont...

I'm plan on replacing both rims with mikes aluminium ones and upgrading the front brake. Does anybody have an opinion on what would be a better upgrade on the front brakes: Stock dual disc Mikes XS upgraded rotor (single) Or is there a better alternative that doesn't cost a fortune?

Has anyone used one of these Harbor Freight tumblers for cleaning nuts, bolts and small parts? It looks interesting but wouldn't the parts rust again quickly unless clear coated or something and clear coating nuts & bolts doesn't sound very practical?

I tried searching the forum because I'm sure this has been covered before but I couldn't find anything. So here it goes, does anybody know the amount of travel on the rear suspension of a stock 81 xs650 (12.75" shocks, I could go longer if need be)? It looks to me like about 3"? I want to put my...

Ok so I want to replace the rear 16" wheel on my 81 XS650 with an 18" and was thinking about replacing the front rim with an 18" to match. What effects will this have on the bikes steering, stability, speedo accuracy, etc? Thanks Bill

So a few weeks ago I got the bug to rebuild an old bike don't know why just one of those things. After looking around and reading lots of posts here and on the SOHC/4 forums I've decided I want to go in the cafe direction. I ended up with a 81 XS650 that I rode home yesterday it ran great and...