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Bobber Vs. Standard/Modified XS650
- Thread starter notdoer
- Start date
notdoer
XS650 Enthusiast
Hard to overrate value of search function!
In high school I weighed 170, when I bought the XS650 I weighed 265. Now I weigh 170 and again. It's probably better to do push-aways and avail ones self of the dual pleasure of a classic mid weight better than a Bonneville scooter, and the freedom high school weight gives. Mind you, my ol' stock '83? XS got given away, built rebuilt swapped out and ended up as a street tracker, and then got given away back to me. I like her better now. If you wait too long the XS supply stream go kaputski... I'd live now. Man I wish I'd kept the stuff I've owned... Keep whatever you decide on.
A 883 sportster, with the carburetor, not FI, might suit better. Slightly less power, maybe 100 pounds heaver...
The XS handles better, imho.
Best!
Hey Brother...it's very cool>
Rock On! But it's a whole lotta work to do it right.. Pretty scooter, eh? (I'd a gone with a girder, megaphones,... and Z bars with a p pad for the payload...)
Rock On! But it's a whole lotta work to do it right.. Pretty scooter, eh? (I'd a gone with a girder, megaphones,... and Z bars with a p pad for the payload...)
notdoer
XS650 Enthusiast
Thanks 40north. Nice bike! I agree with your points. I am curious about how a girder compares from a handling perspective to standard telescopic spring/oil damped, or an inverted fork?
Another question I have is what is the rear suspension configuration on this bike called? I would like to learn more about this type of frame/suspension.
Thanks!
Another question I have is what is the rear suspension configuration on this bike called? I would like to learn more about this type of frame/suspension.
Thanks!
notdoer
XS650 Enthusiast
I like the brat style. I find myself wondering how this modification would compare from a handling perspective with the bike above provided by 40north. I guess I would expect the brat to have faster handling...
That's plunger rear suspension. Was common on bikes in the 40's as an improvement over rigid frame.
How a girder setup compares with a telescopic fork depends on the geometry - all the technicalities of rake, offset, trail. You can make a girder fork bike handle just as well as good teles, but if you're going custom you have the opportunity to configure the bike how you like it, from relaxed to twitchy.
But above all - good, tight, accurate handling will depend on how well the set up has been engineered on your bike.
How a girder setup compares with a telescopic fork depends on the geometry - all the technicalities of rake, offset, trail. You can make a girder fork bike handle just as well as good teles, but if you're going custom you have the opportunity to configure the bike how you like it, from relaxed to twitchy.
But above all - good, tight, accurate handling will depend on how well the set up has been engineered on your bike.
notdoer
XS650 Enthusiast
Thanks Raymond! 
Several fork designs can work well, like the Britten with a carbon fiber girder type, Bimota Tesi/ Yamaha GTS with hub center steering, BMW Telelever, and "a million" bikes with telescopic forks. But I would guess telescopic forks are more "manageable" for an amateur builder with limited resources, if good handling is more important than aesthetics
https://www.choppercompendium.com/ccforum/ provides some kool ideas... sleuth 'round that url... Best! 40N
francozero
XS650 New Member
my 1st post here too...
anyway, here's some pics of my drag star xvs650 bobber... not finished yet tho...
i still need to install the black mini ape, the polished levers (clutch/front brake), the chrome switchbox covers, and the aluminium grips (same as pedals)...
i have extended throttle cabels and clutch cable, but i still need a extended front brake line...
any ideas on where to get the extended brake line that will fit my bike (1998 xvs650 custom 4vr)
anyway, here's some pics of my drag star xvs650 bobber... not finished yet tho...
i still need to install the black mini ape, the polished levers (clutch/front brake), the chrome switchbox covers, and the aluminium grips (same as pedals)...
i have extended throttle cabels and clutch cable, but i still need a extended front brake line...
any ideas on where to get the extended brake line that will fit my bike (1998 xvs650 custom 4vr)
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I have a 16 Year old chopper project that I still may or not finish. I wanted a Triumph bobber to annoy my HD riding family members but didn't want to mutilate a vintage British icon so I chose an Xs650. In retrospect I should have restored it as it was an all original 77 with matching numbers and would have been sweet. My non mechanic advice would be to find one that has already been chopped or use an aftermarket frame. There are a ton of Xs650s out there but good originals are getting harder to find. And enjoy the process because you will spend way more than the bike will ever be worth if you decide to sell it.
That's great advice. There's thousands of dreadfully modified bikes out there just waiting to be rescued. Snag is, often, the owners are completely unrealistic regarding the sale value of them.
