XsTony
XS650 Member
Following on from my post Bought the kit in 1999 after a test ride on one of the prototypes. After a 45 minute run I knew I had to have one ! Mine was the first off the production line and one of 10 frames commissioned inc the two prototypes I know of two others in existence. I believe one of them even reached Florida !! After starting with an 840 cc engine ( which was hard work to start !) I changed to a standard 650 which was a bit too slow for me I spoke to the guy at Anderson Robinson street trackers in New York he advised me to try a J&E 700 cc big bore kit and Megacycle 250/30 cam combination So that was my next step and my god did it shift after that. Since then the engine has been rebuilt and existing spec includes - 750 big bore kit (10:1) , mega cycle 250/30 cam shaft , Barnett clutch, Kedo elephant foot tappet adjusters , engine porting work by Norman White, xj650 oil cooler, smedspeed spin on oil filter conversion kit ,
Beyond the engine, I ve also changed to mikuni vm34 carburettors, ram air foam filters , custom built stainless free flowing silencers.( 1 5/8 inch)
Chassis wise I run fully adjustable GP 20 cartridges in the front forks supplied by Maxtons engineering ( great company highly recommend ) and Maxton t260 twin shocks on the back - these alone make the bike handle absolutely brilliantly.
Tyre wise I ve chosen Avon Roadrider mk2 front and rear which are a great tyre for this type of bike.
Brakes’ standard drum on the back and Brembo four pot calliper on the front with floating disc, this bike now stops as good as it goes
Since modifying the weight is now 191kg. - quite a bit lighter than the standard xs.
To sum it up it runs sooo smooth, it shakes at tickover but as soon as pulling away that disappears allowing a steady cruise with less vibration than my modern bike
Overall I ve had this bike in various guises since 1992, it’s a money pit but I love it !
Beyond the engine, I ve also changed to mikuni vm34 carburettors, ram air foam filters , custom built stainless free flowing silencers.( 1 5/8 inch)
Chassis wise I run fully adjustable GP 20 cartridges in the front forks supplied by Maxtons engineering ( great company highly recommend ) and Maxton t260 twin shocks on the back - these alone make the bike handle absolutely brilliantly.
Tyre wise I ve chosen Avon Roadrider mk2 front and rear which are a great tyre for this type of bike.
Brakes’ standard drum on the back and Brembo four pot calliper on the front with floating disc, this bike now stops as good as it goes
Since modifying the weight is now 191kg. - quite a bit lighter than the standard xs.
To sum it up it runs sooo smooth, it shakes at tickover but as soon as pulling away that disappears allowing a steady cruise with less vibration than my modern bike
Overall I ve had this bike in various guises since 1992, it’s a money pit but I love it !