cafe

Hey everyone. I'm working on installing a flat brat seat on my '75 cafe build. In the picture, I have circled a piece of the frame that seems to just be there for structural support. The part of this brace that the arrow is pointed at (the bulged portion) is getting in the way of my seat. Is it...

Greetings, I figured Id take this time to introduce myself / show you guys my bike. Some of you my have seen me poking around, but I dont post often. I've never had a build thread before but I figure Ill try this time around. Here is my bike when I bought it at in 2013. Mostly stock...

I picked up this nice, low mileage xs650 special a little while ago to build into a modern style cafe racer. I have hundreds of ideas, but the main plan is: inverted forks, wide spoke wheels, custom made swingarm, new subframe, new rear frame section (down tubes cut below engine and build new...

Hey guys, New to XS650s and the forum. I was wondering if anyone had some insight to an issue I'm having on my 1979 Special II. It seems the throttle return lever on the left carb wont snap back on it own. The throttle cable itself has nice action and is fine. When lifting the throttle lever...

Hi guys, I've been a long time lurker on this website but have now decided to start my own build thread, as I am using it as part of a final year in college where i'm doing a degree in mechanical engineering. The end goal is to build a mono-shocked cafe racer with a rephased 750cc conversion...

Hi, i'm planning to cut the loop so iT isn't visible anymore when installing the cafe Seat. Do i have to reinforce the frame By wending a bar between the cut Ends? Thanks

Hi Everyone, I thought it was about time I started my build thread and maybe give something back after gaining so much valuable information from this forum and other's build threads. The second bike I ever owned, back in 1978 was an XS650C and it was one of my favourite bikes ever. I still...

Hey everyone! I've been asking everyone so many questions, and I finally got some work done on my bike last week. Got a pair of clubmans on it and a flat seat. In a couple weeks I'll start working on mounting the front of the seat, shortening the clutch and throttle cables, and designing a...

For those of you that have replaced your forks with gsxr forks, two questions. What are the dimensions of your spacers for running a stock xs spoke front wheel? What rotor did you use? and with or with out a spacer? I have an 07-08 front end coming and before I jump in and figure it...

Hey guys, I'm back again with another problem/question! So since I decided to relocate the electronics to underneath the seat, and move the battery box, the first thing I did was bypass the RLU. I cut the connector off of the wires (I am never going to put this thing back), twisted the...

Hey all, I'm working on mounting my flat seat, but I'm not quite sure how I'll secure the front of it down, being as the rear mounting tab for the gas tank is right under where the front of the seat will sit. How have all of you gotten around this? Thanks, Smiles Edit: Yes, I've been...

I'm going to be putting a flat seat on my '75 in about a weak, but I need some input. It currently has a solo seat and doesn't have any kind of seat hoop to support the rear half of the seat (don't know if you can see much from the picture) and I was wondering how difficult this will be as well...

Hey guys, My billet top triple clamp came from Mostyn industries. Very nice piece! I already swapped the ignition switch over to it, and about to mount the gauges, but it doesn't look like it's going to fit! The stock triple clamp rises up in the center whereas this one is flat, so is there a...

Hey Everyone, I wanted to introduce myself, and say "Thank You" for the GREAT info on this site...which has been a huge help with my current build. I've been lurking on here for a while, and finally found the time to actually post my bike and the progress I've been making on it. Quickly...

Hey everyone, I have a '75 xs650 with vm34s and pods, and this winter I'm starting to cafe it. I was curious as to what all of you cafe gurus are using for lengths of clutch and throttle cable, and the electrical wires of the controls. P.S. I'll be putting 7/8" diameter 27.5" wide drag...

Hey all, I am planning to do some upgraded brakes on my bike. Probably something like calipers from an early R1 as those had a 298mm rotor like the XS, and whatever rotor that will fit the bolt pattern. Making up the spacer for the rotor offset won't be a big deal, but I just noticed today...

Hi Gang, I've been slowly bringing back my 1979 Special back to life. I've got it running after sitting for 23 years which meant cleaning the carbs, replacing the air filters, changing the oil and battery, and rebuilding the brake system. It can be ridden now and is 100% stock. What I...

Hey all, I'm going to modify my '75 a little bit over the winter into something of a cafe racer. I have a seat on the way, gonna put some drag bars on it, and I was probably gonna get some taller shocks. 1. What are the stock shock lengths? (I think I heard about 11 or 11.5"?) 2. I've been...

Hi all, I've seen a lot about the 12 series shocks but I'm on a bit of a budget and am interested in the 14 series. My current setup on the 81 special I just picked up measure 11 1/2 eye to eye. I am going with more of a cafe build so I want to go higher. The 14 series measure 13 inches eye to...

So I have had this thing for quite some time. was planning on hard tailing it but with the cost of professional welding these days I decided to do something else, and since it's coming along and I'm currently waiting on some finishing touches I figured I'd start throwing so pictures up. Feel...