Hello from Notts, UK

[Fatbloke56]

Hi folks,

I apologise to the mods if this is posted in the wrong thread, not sure .

Anyway I thought it right to introduce myself to you good folks on this forum.

I'm a fat, middle -aged welder/ fabricator from Nottinghamshire UK.
Ive had a passion for bikes since my early teens, particularly custom bikes. I was drawn to the xs about 10 years ago after realising I'd never be able to afford a harley or a triumph ( married, 3 kids, 3 dogs, 3 cats and a horse lol)
Now the kids are grown up I'm looking at fulfilling a dream and building a nice xs650 bobber.
There's a ton of knowledge on this forum and amongst its members and I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all.
I'm no mechanic so it'll take me sometime to understand things and I apologise upfront for my dumbass questions ( I'm sure there'll be some if not many!!)
Anyway enough of my ramblin'
Have a great weekend everyone

Nathan

 

[Raymond]

Welcome aboard Nathan, you are so right about the knowledge hereabouts on Yamaha XS650. People are very generous in sharing information, help, even parts.

Welder/fabricator sounds like a good skill set for a bobber project!

Do you already have an XS or is that the next step? Either way, when the time comes, you could start a build thread, put plenty photos, there are no stoopid questions so ask away.

See you around, Raymond

 

[grouchie77]

Welcome! Welding is one of those things I've always loved to do, but never been any good at it. Just need more practice I suppose.

 

[Fatbloke56]

Welcome aboard Nathan, you are so right about the knowledge hereabouts on Yamaha XS650. People are very generous in sharing information, help, even parts.

Welder/fabricator sounds like a good skill set for a bobber project!

Do you already have an XS or is that the next step? Either way, when the time comes, you could start a build thread, put plenty photos, there are no stoopid questions so ask away.

See you around, Raymond

Thank you Raymond.
I don't have one just yet, I thought I'd build up some knowledge and then look around. Gives me some time to save some more cash and then I'm armed with some knowledge to not get ripped off.
Thanks for such a warm welcome and yes definitely see you around

Cheers Nathan

 

[Fatbloke56]

Welcome! Welding is one of those things I've always loved to do, but never been any good at it. Just need more practice I suppose.

Thank you Grouchie! Man, please don't say you've never been good, you're just not as good as you're gonna be !
Because I weld for a living ( 30yrs aero) it's 2nd nature to me but like I say to our apprentices, I was just the same as you. Like you say it's all about the practice.
If I can help I will ..cheers Nathan

 

[650Skull]

Welcome fatbloke56,
You have the welding skills, 30 years you say so you know your way around engineering I guess so a bobbor build should b easy. Engine mechanical side, there are plenty to help there + some good pictorial threads to go with it.

Tech menu. Have a cruise around in there, or do search's and change the wording to get more results. Can pick up tip bits in some threads that aren't in Tech menu.

If you haven't already seen this, a link with different models and links on guaranteed basics info you are gonna need.

Main thing for you is the difference between US and Euro bikes. This goes into those changes With pics. Engine internals are different as well.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...-other-information-including-xs750-850.30569/

 

[Raymond]

Welcome fatbloke56,
You have the welding skills, 30 years you say so you know your way around engineering I guess so a bobbor build should b easy. Engine mechanical side, there are plenty to help there + some good pictorial threads to go with it.

Tech menu. Have a cruise around in there, or do search's and change the wording to get more results. Can pick up tip bits in some threads that aren't in Tech menu.

If you haven't already seen this, a link with different models and links on guaranteed basics info you are gonna need.

Main thing for you is the difference between US and Euro bikes. This goes into those changes With pics. Engine internals are different as well.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...-other-information-including-xs750-850.30569/

All true, but TBH and especially if you are going to bob the bike, I would just look for a bike in the right condition at the right price. I suppose the most important things for you are a good engine and that the bike is UK registered?

 

[650Skull]

All true, but TBH and especially if you are going to bob the bike, I would just look for a bike in the right condition at the right price. I suppose the most important things for you are a good engine and that the bike is UK registered?

My point is 553/447 engines front fork differences. Knowing what you are going to buy and advice from here, basically assumed a person has a US bike when this question hasn't been asked from a US perspective or fatboy56 hasn't stipulated the bikes original source. He might have a Euro bike front end, has a problem and buys a fork from GB but it is from a US import. And it it is a 75/76 then he has 2 forks for the same side.

Thinking Preemptively

 

[vexsed]

Good choice of prospective bike fb56. Simple motors built like a brick shit house.
Any 77 on model will give you the stronger frame and 35mm forks. Your choice whether you like the soft chopper (Special) version or the standard version (difference is the rear shock position, tank size and handlebars). A european model will give you the longer 533 conrods vs the shorter 447 US conrods (piston conrod combos are different, bore and stroke the same) - not really a lot of practical difference. Euro models had twin disc fronts, US single-forks are different. Some special models had a rear disc brake too.
Do your homework, ask questions, inform yourself and tell your missus you're looking for the ultimate vibrator.

 

[grouchie77]

Thank you Grouchie! Man, please don't say you've never been good, you're just not as good as you're gonna be !
Because I weld for a living ( 30yrs aero) it's 2nd nature to me but like I say to our apprentices, I was just the same as you. Like you say it's all about the practice.
If I can help I will ..cheers Nathan

I'm a machinist by trade, I always enjoyed welding as a hobby. Thought about taking more classes at my local college and getting a certificate but haven't had that strong of a need for the piece of paper.

I've done stick, oxyfuel, MIG and TIG. TIG by far was my favorite, but I don't (yet) have money saved up for a machine of my own. Someday.

 

[Wingedwheel]

It’s the season!

 

[Its been a long time]

There's loads of dreadful part finished or badly executed projects out there. They deserve a better outcome than simply rusting away.

 

[Fatbloke56]

Good choice of prospective bike fb56. Simple motors built like a brick shit house.
Any 77 on model will give you the stronger frame and 35mm forks. Your choice whether you like the soft chopper (Special) version or the standard version (difference is the rear shock position, tank size and handlebars). A european model will give you the longer 533 conrods vs the shorter 447 US conrods (piston conrod combos are different, bore and stroke the same) - not really a lot of practical difference. Euro models had twin disc fronts, US single-forks are different. Some special models had a rear disc brake too.
Do your homework, ask questions, inform yourself and tell your missus you're looking for the ultimate vibrator.

Thanks versed, that's my plan and some great starting info, cheers....I'll see if that'll wash with the missus lol

 

[Fatbloke56]

I'm a machinist by trade, I always enjoyed welding as a hobby. Thought about taking more classes at my local college and getting a certificate but haven't had that strong of a need for the piece of paper.

I've done stick, oxyfuel, MIG and TIG. TIG by far was my favorite, but I don't (yet) have money saved up for a machine of my own. Someday.

I'm purely a tig guy but will begrudgingly use 'the others'.....

 

[Fatbloke56]

Welcome fatbloke56,
You have the welding skills, 30 years you say so you know your way around engineering I guess so a bobbor build should b easy. Engine mechanical side, there are plenty to help there + some good pictorial threads to go with it.

Tech menu. Have a cruise around in there, or do search's and change the wording to get more results. Can pick up tip bits in some threads that aren't in Tech menu.

If you haven't already seen this, a link with different models and links on guaranteed basics info you are gonna need.

Main thing for you is the difference between US and Euro bikes. This goes into those changes With pics. Engine internals are different as well.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650...-other-information-including-xs750-850.30569/

Thanks 650skull, like you say I should be OK with the fab side of things but I've got a steep learning curve to climb with all things bike lol ...but hey that's why I joined this community, thanks for the welcome

 

[Fatbloke56]

All true, but TBH and especially if you are going to bob the bike, I would just look for a bike in the right condition at the right price. I suppose the most important things for you are a good engine and that the bike is UK registered?

That's very true Raymond tho they seem to keep a very good price , testament to the quality and popularity I guess...for me it will be part of the journey, sourcing the bike, the chase so to speak

 

[bazz]

That's very true Raymond tho they seem to keep a very good price , testament to the quality and popularity I guess...for me it will be part of the journey, sourcing the bike, the chase so to speak

My advice would be to buy a complete tidy runner to start with
Don't do what I did
I bought an engine then a frame then a pair of wheels and a set of forks
It really is a hard way to go about it
Also when you get a bike pull the engine out and replace the cam chain and tensioner unless you know the history and knowledge it's been recently done

 

[Fatbloke56]

My advice would be to buy a complete tidy runner to start with
Don't do what I did
I bought an engine then a frame then a pair of wheels and a set of forks
It really is a hard way to go about it
Also when you get a bike pull the engine out and replace the cam chain and tensioner unless you know the history and knowledge it's been recently done

Thanks Baz, glad you said this as i was literally just looking at motors on Ebay lol...I've certainly got a lot of research ahead but that's part of the fun for me ...cheers Nathan

 

[bazz]

Thanks Baz, glad you said this as i was literally just looking at motors on Ebay lol...I've certainly got a lot of research ahead but that's part of the fun for me ...cheers Nathan

I'm a fat 65 year old fabricator welder
I've built upwards of 50 chops bobbers cafe racers street fighters you name it
It can sometimes be cheaper to buy a really nice bike and sell off all the bodywork to offset the cost of building a custom bike

 

[bazz]

Thanks Baz, glad you said this as i was literally just looking at motors on Ebay lol...I've certainly got a lot of research ahead but that's part of the fun for me ...cheers Nathan

How wild do you want to go? I built this for a mate of mine
He likes fat tyres so I had offset the chain 48mm