user12651
XS650 Member
Hi Everyone!
This is my first motorcycle and my first build. But I think I can do it. My father-in-law, Joe, is helping me out. Before he had his first daughter, my wife, he was a motorcycle mechanic. He's been super supportive and excited to help show me everything. Unfortunately, I'm in Minneapolis and he's in Wisconsin. So the build will take place in his shop and I'll make frequent trips to work on it.
The bike is a 1981 XS650 Special. Picked it up from a college kid in Duluth who wanted to start working on a Harley and needed the cash. The bike has almost 17,000 miles on it and is in real good shape. I paid $1100.
At first, I was thinking of a street trackerbut I'm now heading towards a bobber build. Sprung rear end. 21"front. 16"rear. This could change at any moment. 
It changed. Straight up street tracker.
First order of business was a motorcycle lift. Picked up the one at Harbor Freight for $329. Works like a charm.
First weekend was tear down. No rush and we got it down to frame and wheels in about 6 hours. We finished off the next day, loaded everything but the engine up on the lift and put it in the corner of the shop. Engine tear down was next.
My father-in-law, Joe the night before we begin:
My brother-in-law, Jason and I goof around before teardown:
Teardown begins:
I caught it; I guess I'll keep it:
End of the first day:
Parts is parts:
This is my first motorcycle and my first build. But I think I can do it. My father-in-law, Joe, is helping me out. Before he had his first daughter, my wife, he was a motorcycle mechanic. He's been super supportive and excited to help show me everything. Unfortunately, I'm in Minneapolis and he's in Wisconsin. So the build will take place in his shop and I'll make frequent trips to work on it.
The bike is a 1981 XS650 Special. Picked it up from a college kid in Duluth who wanted to start working on a Harley and needed the cash. The bike has almost 17,000 miles on it and is in real good shape. I paid $1100.
At first, I was thinking of a street tracker
It changed. Straight up street tracker.First order of business was a motorcycle lift. Picked up the one at Harbor Freight for $329. Works like a charm.
First weekend was tear down. No rush and we got it down to frame and wheels in about 6 hours. We finished off the next day, loaded everything but the engine up on the lift and put it in the corner of the shop. Engine tear down was next.
My father-in-law, Joe the night before we begin:
My brother-in-law, Jason and I goof around before teardown:
Teardown begins:
I caught it; I guess I'll keep it:
End of the first day:
Parts is parts:
Last edited:
