ETHEREAL-1983 XS650

[kyladoscope]

I recently picked up a 1983 XS650. This will be my first motorcycle and my first project all in one. I want to do a tracker inspired build. I’ve started to tear it down and the parts are starting to roll in. I already find myself with questions and searching for answers. The bike ran well when I bought it and I hope it runs just as well when I put it back together.
Here are some pictures of what it looked like when I first got it and how it sits as of now.

 

[wrenchjohns]

Welcome, looks like a great start.
john

 

[kyladoscope]

A friend who introduced me to this forum connected me with some wheels that were being sold by a forum member. They are Mike’s XS 18” wheels and they came with stainless spokes. I was kind of disappointed when they arrived, one is gashed up and the other has minor scratches. It doesn’t look like anything I can’t clean up. I purchased a billet front hub from Mike’s and it arrived today. I’m wondering if I should just give them a better polish or clear coat them before lacing the rims. So there goes the rest of my day looking at threads to answer that question.

I already have Biltwell tracker mid bars, a CDI from Hughs, speedo delete, and a Brembo conversion bracket from Pandemonium.

Next step is cleaning up any unneeded brackets on the frame and figuring out what exhaust I am going to run. If anyone has any suggestions on someone who makes stainless high pipes please let me know.

 

[halfmile]

Jemco. What are your plans for a swing arm? Tank and tail section?

 

[kyladoscope]

I like those. Are they stainless? I’m tossing around the idea of single on each side vs. dual on the left. I looked into the Radian, but I’m just keeping the original and going to install bronze bushings. Powder coating is a must. I’m going to keep the original tank but shorten the hoop.

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

You don't waste any time. Hard to believe this is your first build.
Your avatar reminds me of the brunette from Larkin Poe...

 

[Mailman]

Yeah, I’ll second that, you seem to really know what you want and you are really getting after it. Very impressive for a first time out! Plus I give you props for doing your homework first and reading up on what you want to do. Knowledge is power!

 

[Jim]

Perfect name for a lightweight XS.

 

[timbeck]

Larkin Poe is very cool.....

tim

 

[Team Junk]

Larkin Poe is very cool.....

+1

 

[member28833]

Polishing Rims Already
Maybe take em to a almost done state because during tire installation some more minor scratches may just happen
.. then Go for the final polish!

 

[member28833]

Next step is cleaning up any unneeded brackets on the frame

One thing that was "smoothed" off of my 79 Special II frame was the thin loop which guides the tach cable up the rt cradle. I'd leave that for cable guide function if I had that opportunity

 

[kyladoscope]

Hey Machine thanks for the heads up. When I was contemplating all the tabs to cut off, I definitely gave that some thought.

 

[kyladoscope]

Polishing Rims Already
Maybe take em to a almost done state because during tire installation some more minor scratches may just happen
.. then Go for the final polish!

You’re right but I can’t keep my bike in my condo so I’m stuck hand polishing on my coffee while I listen to Larkin Poe.

 

[member28833]

I can’t keep my bike in my condo so I’m stuck hand polishing on my coffee while I listen to Larkin Poe.

Condo tire/wheel moonlighting eh..
Sure, You can do it !

 

[halfmile]

One down each side. Not Stainless though. Jemco`s are available in raw metal or stainless. What are you using for a upper tree?

 

[kyladoscope]

Hey Halfmile. Those are awesome! I’ve come to find out that awesome is normally expensive though. Are those Jemco? Do you have any idea what they might cost? I’ve decided to use a DC Motive upper but I haven’t bought it yet. Here’s a picture.

 

[halfmile]

I made those in my garage. The mandrel bend tubing was less than $45 but the stainless reverse cone mufflers were about $180.

 

[kyladoscope]

Hey those are perfect. That’s exactly what I want but I want to use cone engineering mufflers. Only $45 for the pair, plenty of room for mark up... would you want to make me a pair?

 

[kyladoscope]

Couldn’t sleep last night, tried to lace a wheel. Didn’t think it would stump me. I think I read too many how to’s. Started to overthink everything. It was hard reading threads that involved what was done wrong along the way.