do i have to run a battery if the bike is KS only?

[theyammieguy]

Like the title says, do I need a battery if I plan on having it kickstart only? The only electrical I'll have on the bike will be the ignition, headlight and tail light.

Do I have to do anything special to make it a kickstart only engine?

 

[weekendrider]

If you are not swapping yes
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63
Haven't looked at this in awhile but I'm sure INXS covered blanking off the starter.
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=948

 

[Travis]

Like weeekendrider suggested, you need a battery unless you swap to a permanent magnet alternator. The oem charging system needs power to make power. It's an electromagnet so if you have no battery, you can kick it all day long and it won't charge and won't spark at all. If you put a small battery on it, that would probably be enough to activate the charging system so the bike will start and run. With a permanent magnet setup, the charging system starts working as soon as it spins. You'll want a capacitor to even out the power.

 

[theyammieguy]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[BigJimmyW13]

I can give you a shopping list if you want to run batteryless. If you want the list be sure to let me know the year of the engine

 

[theyammieguy]

Thats exactly what I'm looking for. It will be a 1980.
How's the weather up in CS? I'm in Houston and I've been riding in the rain all week.

 

[BigJimmyW13]

The same. I got caught out one night and rode home in a pouring. Had to pull under an overpass and wait.

Ok well since you probably have tci.. So here's what my list was.

Pamco ignition w/ATU setup
For ease custom stator plate from MrRiggs on eBay
Vf500 stator
Vf500 reg rect
Banshee alt rotor/flywheel
25v 10,000uf capacitor

Lemme know if you have anymore q's

 

[theyammieguy]

Will do, thanks man.
The guy I'm buying it from says he bought a Pamco ignition. Not sure if it's the one I need or not.

 

[BigJimmyW13]

Just ask him he has the points rod and advance unit with it.

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[theyammieguy]

Ok. I'm hoping to get it in about a month. He only wants $200 for but it's up in Oklahoma.
Who sells the best hard tail? Is there a such a thing as the best hardtail and easiest to weld on?

 

[BigJimmyW13]

Well if I has it to do over again I would have done an elswick dropseat, but that's if you like dropseats. Talk to rockabilly on here.

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[theyammieguy]

Nah, I've got a roadstar chopper. Gonna do the old school bobber thing this time. I was thinking TC or Ardcore.

 

[BigJimmyW13]

I have a tc, but I think I like the gl one better. Lowbrow customs has a nice one too.

http://www.xs650chopper.com/2010/06/night-rider-kitchen-build/

You can see mine here.

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[theyammieguy]

Looks good man. What was the final rake? I'm undecided if I want to rake this one or not. Is that a king sportster tank? and what rear fender is that. Lol

 

[theyammieguy]

BTW...here's my daily driver.

and here's a couple from last May over in Medina Tx.

 

[BigJimmyW13]

The rake is so that I could run +4" at normal ride height, but I lowered it with the stock tubes. It's just a sporty and its actually the stock fender I modified.

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[BigJimmyW13]

That looks good man. I originally wanted a chopper, but I ended up more and more wanting a low rider bobber. I realized I still love the classic looks over the flash.

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[theyammieguy]

The stance on yours looks good. I was thinking about going with a 2" under springer.

I love my chopper but I'm ready for an old school. I'll keep the roadie though. I'm riding it to NY next summer.

 

[BigJimmyW13]

The 2 under is the same length of the stock xs, so that should be easy enough! There is a thread about the conversion somewhere on here.

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[theyammieguy]

I'll have to try and find it. I've bookmarked the conversion kits.