Hello to everyone!

[DarkBlaster81]

Hello!

I just registered as a new member because I'm searching for my old XS650... Yes, old age and nostalgia have finally caught up with me...

I bought the bike new in March 1981 at a discounted price from Motorcycle City in Farnborough (GB). It was one of the last classic XS650s and looked like the one in the picture below. The registration was OPA 279W. I rode it around for a year but then had to move up to London, so being the fool I was (and probably still am), I decided to sell it (and now, of course, I wish I hadn't), you know the story... Anyway, I sold it in March 1982 to a small man with a beard who claimed to work for BBC Radio 3...

Now I'm searching for the bike as I'd love to buy it back/rescue it/restore it/whatever, if it's still around somewhere. I discovered from the DVLA website that it was permanently exported in 1983 or 1984. I know it's a long-shot but I'm hoping one of you may have this bike, know of its whereabouts or know what became of it...

All the best to you all!

Don

 

[Its been a long time]

Welcome to the forum. There's a few UK members here. I'm not sure anyone who imported your bike will recognise it from the UK registration? It will have been re-registered in the country of import? Good luck finding it though.

I had a XS650C back in 1976 which I sold in 1977 for a short and most unsuccessful period of trials, riding a TY250.

So I'm an XS650 owner again myself having bought a dead XS650D import back in December 2023. Seemed like a good idea at the time is all I'll say about that!

 

[gggGary]

Yes finding a needs love XS650 of similar specs and reviving it seems a more likely path forward.
Even if it will seem just as frustrating at times... ;^)

 

[DarkBlaster81]

Hello and thanks for the friendly welcome!

Yes, the trouble is I have no record of the frame or engine numbers, and I know once it was taken abroad it would have been re-registered so any subsequent owner would have no knowledge of the original British number plate. I'm just trying my luck really...

Thanks too for the advice. I'm going to spend some time getting to know the forum and reading lots of posts and threads. I did once wonder whether any newer bike might be similar, such as a Kawasaki W650 or W800 but somehow I feel it just wouldn't be the same...

 

[Its been a long time]

Hello and thanks for the friendly welcome!

Yes, the trouble is I have no record of the frame or engine numbers, and I know once it was taken abroad it would have been re-registered so any subsequent owner would have no knowledge of the original British number plate. I'm just trying my luck really...

Thanks too for the advice. I'm going to spend some time getting to know the forum and reading lots of posts and threads. I did once wonder whether any newer bike might be similar, such as a Kawasaki W650 or W800 but somehow I feel it just wouldn't be the same...

Interesting you say that. One British member has a XS650 and a W800, I'm sure he'll share his experience.

My own experience, I downsized from a couple of 1200cc bikes to a 865cc Triumph Bonneville T100. 2007 last of the UK built carburettor bikes. Nice bike but a bit porky like all modern bikes.

To cut a long story short, I felt that the T100 reminded me so much of my old XS650 that I went and bought one. Then I sold the Triumph. I mean, why have a modern bike pretending to be an old one when you can have the real thing?

 

[JJames]

Yes finding a needs love XS650 of similar specs and reviving it seems a more likely path forward.
Even if it will seem just as frustrating at times... ;^)

Welcome. Kinda have to agree with Gary, but the quest to find "the one" is a cool idea. Who knows where it might lead. This is as good a place as any to start.
Interesting to me how many folks you find online looking for that old car, guitar, girl, motorcycle etc. Good luck and have fun keep us posted.