itsatoy
XS650 Addict
Custom '81 on the cheap. Intro, first bike, first build...etc.
Hello xs650.com, great resource. I have been lurking for a little while before I bought my bike. As the title says first bike/build here. Total know nothing, clymer manual is supposed to arrive today. A little background, my Dad rides an old Norton with the Shiloh Riders down in East Tennessee and my Brother-in-law has a custom bike shop (I don't know what forum rules are on advertising so I won't list their website) but cash flow has prevented me up until this point from getting one of these toys for myself. I love the british bikes and went with xs650 over cb750 because I like the classic styled engine better. I found what I thought was a pretty good deal after the first snow on a '81 xs650SH titled runner with some upgrades for $1k. Seems a bit cobbled together so I'd appreciate it if some of you aficionados could scan my photos and let me know what I'm dealing with. PO didn't give the bike much attention since his daily rider is a ZX9R. He did list a new stator, rotor, brushes, rectifier regulator, battery and obviously the dual disc front brakes and maybe even the rear disc were add on's. I'm sure other things have been swapped out since I've got a redundant neutral light indicator, sheathed cables and of course the wonderful paint job including the frame . Petcock leaks so he added another cut off. Lots of leaks and no tuning, mish mash of old and new connectors and left over wiring etc. I've got the seat, side covers, cam and alternator covers off poking around.
Plans are to get it dependable by next season, hopefully under $500. Then probably slowly customize to a black on black minimalist cafe style over the years after that. I hope to do the engine work myself so I can become self reliant. I will definitely rebuild the petcock and carbs first thing.
Any advice, identification, criticism, hello's... whatever is appreciated. Thanks everybody .
Hello xs650.com, great resource. I have been lurking for a little while before I bought my bike. As the title says first bike/build here. Total know nothing, clymer manual is supposed to arrive today. A little background, my Dad rides an old Norton with the Shiloh Riders down in East Tennessee and my Brother-in-law has a custom bike shop (I don't know what forum rules are on advertising so I won't list their website) but cash flow has prevented me up until this point from getting one of these toys for myself. I love the british bikes and went with xs650 over cb750 because I like the classic styled engine better. I found what I thought was a pretty good deal after the first snow on a '81 xs650SH titled runner with some upgrades for $1k. Seems a bit cobbled together so I'd appreciate it if some of you aficionados could scan my photos and let me know what I'm dealing with. PO didn't give the bike much attention since his daily rider is a ZX9R. He did list a new stator, rotor, brushes, rectifier regulator, battery and obviously the dual disc front brakes and maybe even the rear disc were add on's. I'm sure other things have been swapped out since I've got a redundant neutral light indicator, sheathed cables and of course the wonderful paint job including the frame . Petcock leaks so he added another cut off. Lots of leaks and no tuning, mish mash of old and new connectors and left over wiring etc. I've got the seat, side covers, cam and alternator covers off poking around.
Plans are to get it dependable by next season, hopefully under $500. Then probably slowly customize to a black on black minimalist cafe style over the years after that. I hope to do the engine work myself so I can become self reliant. I will definitely rebuild the petcock and carbs first thing.
Any advice, identification, criticism, hello's... whatever is appreciated. Thanks everybody .
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