Hardtail Streeeeetch Build

[SteelToeJoe]

So I finaly got a hold of a title to start my buld with. It came with this already hardtailed frame, think I'll use it too. I knew it was long but the seller didn't know how long. I thought it might be a 6" stretch, turns out its a damn 8"!!! I mean I think its 8", it measures 36" from the begining of the the stock kick stand mount to the front most part of the axle hole. I measured another (stock swingarm) frame and got 28", so Im thinkin its an 8", correct me if Im wrong.

 

[SteelToeJoe]

So Im not sure if I like the idea of an 8" stretch, mainly because I've never heard of an 8" stretch on a xs650. I'm trying to deside to go ahead with it or try to shorten it up. There is plenty of room on the axle plates (or whatever you call them) to drill a whole nother hole, cut the old one off and then it would look kinda like a G&L style hardtail (and I do like those)

Im just not sure if that would leave good room for the fender mount and seat springs and junk. Roughly it would be moving everything 3" up.

So this 5" gap would become 2" and I do want the fender to come all the way down to the bottom of the frame. Just can't deside....

 

[SteelToeJoe]

It maybe more work than its worth, I wish I knew of some other 8" builds to look at to see if I like them or not. If you know of any please post links or pics of them here cuz I wana check them out before I deside to do this.

The top rail (like where seat springs would go) would be even closer than that bottom one (no pics right now, forgot to take that one this moring and Im at work now) but I guess I could move the whole seat mount up if I needed to (he did an odd job on it anyhow)

desisions desisions, I just don't know.....opinions welcome.

 

[SteelToeJoe]

Just some more info for those who are interested. Its a '73 frame, and I just so happen to have a '73 engine to put in it. Frame came with a brand new pair of Mikuni vm34s I think I'll use. Thinkin 8" z bars (have all kinds of bars but not the ones I want) And it will have custom exaust cuz out of both of the parts bikes I've got I don't have any headers at all.

The sporty tank was perfect when I bought it, had a dent in it when I got it home DOH

 

[Dusty]

Wow! I know what kind of chain whip I get out of 5" of stretch. It looks cool but man that's a long chain.

 

[angus67]

if you think you can weld it back together and still be straight, go for it.
But if I were you, I would really take a good look at those welds and ask yoself if you can do better.
strip the paint off the welds, see if there is any pinholes(porosity), or under cut in the toe of the weld, (were the weld stops legthwise as the weld was made), if it all looks solid, Ide keep it.
Just my two cents. But 8" is a little long.
Mines hardtailed with 2" stretch, and Im 6ft tall. peeps say I dont look too big on it, although they maybe saving my feelings, I weigh 250#'s

 

[SteelToeJoe]

Dusty, I know I would have to run some sort of chain tensioner, but you think it would still be slap crazy? You run one on yours? Wish I could talk to someone with an 8" and see if they hate it or not.

Angus, I'm not sure what you are talking about welding. My idea for bringin up the rear tire was just to cut new holes in the axle plates and chop the last part of them off. The part that sticks out past the frame rails.

Was thinking something like this. (cut on black lines) But of course measure it up and everything, I just threw this together in paint.

 

[visimpact]

Looks like ur plan is a better way to go then what is there.

 

[angus67]

ahhhh, i see. yeah, that would take a couple inches out.

 

[SteelToeJoe]

Dusty, is your green bike the one with 5" or is it the one in your avatar? I like the axle adjusters on your green bike, like how they are at the front of the axle plate, not the back. I think if I did make this cut it would look alot better with that style axle adjuster but I don't know anything about them, or where to find them/how they work. Im assuming the stock ones would not work correctly if I just flipped them around, I'd imagine the axle would just come forward all the way.

Actully, now that Im thinking about it, if I had axle adjusters like that I could cut my hole, and not chop the old one off right away, then I could experiment and see what one like best. haha, maybe Im goin abit loony now..

 

[member3480]

I have done a bunch with 6 to 8 inch stretch and they all rode nice. You could always buy a chain roller online and put it in if you think its too long. I just like the look of long and low. You also got to go by your size too. You don't want to look like a monster on a small frame.Good luck with your build.

 

[member3480]

This is kind of what your frame looks like.These are over 4" on the ass end.
Hope the pictures help give you a better idea. Its easy to cut off but harder to replace.

 

[Patches]

Why stop at 8. Make it an even foot.....

But seriously, 8' may be a little much unless you are going for some sort of strange drag bike bobber thing look.....

4" is long for these little bikes. You need a 120 link chain for a 4" and lord knows how long for a 8". There will be a huge gap. Here's a 4" that I built for a guy. :

There is a lot of space back there with a 4", but I like a "see through bike". People wonder where everything is.

It's your bike, build it how you want, I just figured that I'd give you some more information to work with.

 

[wildbill]

instead of cutting it up again - would you consider selling it? I'm 6'1 and all my height comes in my legs - I could use the room. I'm working on a bike with a 6" stretch now and I'm definitely moving to forward controls so I can stretch my legs a bit. I'm in the 'other' Greenville - NC.

 

[SteelToeJoe]

DaddyG, Thanks for the examples.

Wildbill, I wouldn't sell, maybe trade, rather not because all my numbers match, frame, engine, title, and I kinda like that. But, maybe trade, got any pics?

So, I think I'm gona go ahead and drill the new axle holes but not chop the back of the axle plates off. This won't be functional because the axle adjusters won't work correctly untill I chop the old hole off. But I'll be able to mock it up, see what it looks like. That way if I don't like it or if things are too close I could just put it back how it was, I could even patch the hole back if it proved to be an eye sore. This isn't goin down till sunday though so I got some time to think...

 

[Kups650]

Maybe when you cut it off, take is from the furthest point of your seat/chain stays as to keep some stregth. rather than from the inner edge of each, maybe the outer edge and round it out a little.

 

[member3480]

JOE
If you want it shorter why not just cut that one off and put a TCB one on that is shorter or you can even make it shorter. Most of the bikes i have done had big dudes on them most of the time 6' or taller . I have done some for myself and i am 5'7" and i rode all the long ones and the shorter ones and both rode the same.I too like the open look like Patches bike (NICE BIKE) and have done this look on not just Yam's. The picture of the KZ650 and the CB 350 are both tire to tire 8 feet long and the XS drop seat is a little shorter and your picture looks much shorter than those. How does it feel to sit on. Most guys don't know how a bike feels going down the rode until they get on one with forward controls. Mids ride different than forwards. So if i was you find someone who has one and see if they will let you take a ride. Then decide you may have what you need already and it just looks long.

 

[Travis]

I think you should go ahead with your plan to slot the front of the plate and make it look like a G&L. You'll still have 5" of stretch. That is plenty long.

 

[SteelToeJoe]

Putin this pick up to show how long it is, I think the other pic was a bit angled makin it look a bit shorter.

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff422/SteelToeJoe/xs9.jpg

I like the look of Patches bike. This see through thing is growin on me.

Kups650, Im not really following you. Do you mean cut it like this? (RED LINE)

I don't think I'd really like, Im thinkin like the blue or black line.

 

[XSLeo]

How ever you cut it, you want a flat place for the adjuster to push against.
Leo