Introducing "Ol' Crusty" - An adventure in XS1

[Punkskalar]

So a while back, this bike came across my desk via email... Dude says "I got an XS650, you interested?" and it was a 1971 XS1B. Dude didn't have a title, and in NC, no title is a no-go... So I told him to get a title and we'd talk...

Didn't think I'd hear anything back, but about 2 months later, sure enough dude got the title. So I had to go get it... Because you know, who doesn't need a crusty ol XS1??!?! And to top it off, dude really just wanted to build an XS650 chopper, and I couldn't just sit idly by and let an early bike get cut up, especially when it was soo complete.

 

[Punkskalar]

Got it back to the shop, and started bringing her back to life... You have to know, this thing sat outside, in the weather, since 1984... Almost everything is in rough shape...

Which meant, as with ALL Xs650's, that the electrical system was completely toast... So out with the old, and in with a new Hugh's HandBuilt PMA system (I know a guy, he hooked me up )

And no XS650 is complete, unless it has previous owners attempt at a wiring repair or two... Add in some extremely crusty connections and it was due a total rewire... SO we gutted the wiring entirely..

And, we did manage to find some of the original paint, kinda

So I rebuilt the original petcocks, and believe it or not the inside of the tank was in primo condition , so I just gave it a quick Red-Kote and called it good...

 

[Punkskalar]

So we went with our PMA system, a Pamco Ignition, and deleted the battery using a Capacitor... It's a kick-only bike anyhow, so batteries are just extra unneeded weight...

Now at this point, most people would be begging me to restore this thing, and I would normally agree... I mean, its ALL there right? No, it's going to be a rider... Exactly as she sits...

Rode it a few hundred miles with the OEM carbs, and they just weren't gonna be happy, no matter what. So I tossed a set of late 38mm carbs on it, and it was "kinda" better... By Kinda, I mean 20 kicks or so, and you were up and running... I rebuilt them 2-3 times, but to no avail. They were just too worn out...

So I gave in, and stole the carbs off of my Black and White bike, some of those cheapo PWK things from MikesXS. They never would run proper on a really built rephased engine, but I've had pretty good luck on a mostly stock engine with them, so on they went....

And away I went!

At this point, it should be noted, that in order to fully test the awesomeness of this old machine, I still hadn't changed the 30 year old oil, adjusted the camchain, or the valves, nothing... Literally got it running and went riding...

 

[Punkskalar]

With her running amazing (seriously, for having sit outside against a barn since 1984, she's running AMAZING!) I was able to start pushing her a little harder... First big weakness?

The worlds leakiest forks, of all time (if anyone has some XS1B tubes, in any kind of runable shape, I'd love em )

With the forks spraying me down with oil on every bump, I can't push her too hard. That, and the brakes are terrible... So that was fixed up next...

until the clutch blew up

 

[Punkskalar]

I knew the clutch was weak, it was slipping in almost every gear (lets get real, it was slipping in ALL gears, even neutral - )

But rolling up to stop on afternoon it really started making a racket, and wouldnt engage at all. I limped it to the shop and found the issue...

Got that fixed, and went riding in West Virginia with my Friend DAN from Pandemonium Customs (that dude rules by the way..)

 

[Punkskalar]

My daughter just turned 2 years old this week. Everyday that I ride home, she always want to come see the bike and she says "Hot Daddy, wanna blow on it" and she cools it off for me Shes a doll, and LOVES motorcycles, but then again, she should, she's been raised in a chop shop since she was 2 weeks old

 

[fredintoon]

- - - Now at this point, most people would be begging me to restore this thing, and I would normally agree... I mean, its ALL there right? No, it's going to be a rider... Exactly as she sits... - - -
So we went with our PMA system, a Pamco Ignition, and deleted the battery using a Capacitor... It's a kick-only bike anyhow, so batteries are just extra unneeded weight..

Hi Punkskalar,
Oh yes, my dream bike. Looks like shit, goes like shit off a red hot shovel.
Me though, I'd put some new foam under my arse.
But no battery?
BTDT with the flywheel alternator coils of 1950s Villiers engined bikes.
6V systems with the headlight pulsing like some kinda ersatz tachometer and having to use a 12V rear light bulb
because a 6V bulb would blow when it got the brief full whack of power as you dimmed the headlight.
Teensy little 12V battery and no more flicker, eh?
And yeah, happy birthday Ms. Punksdottir.

 

[Punkskalar]

Hi Punkskalar,
Oh yes, my dream bike. Looks like shit, goes like shit off a red hot shovel.
Me though, I'd put some new foam under my arse.
But no battery? Not needed with the Hugh's HandBuilt PMA and a Capacitor
BTDT with the flywheel alternator coils of 1950s Villiers engined bikes.
6V systems with the headlight pulsing like some kinda ersatz tachometer and having to use a 12V rear light bulb
because a 6V bulb would blow when it got the brief full whack of power as you dimmed the headlight.
Teensy little 12V battery and no more flicker, eh? No Flicker Here, Kicks to life with all the lights on, happy as can be

I wouldn't mind having a nicer seat. This one isn't correct to the bike, so if anyone has a crusty or better XS1 seat laying around, let me know, I'll buy it

 

[CDNTX650]

Thats so awesome. Some new suspenders and a mexican blanket seat cover over some new foam, ready to roll. Funny about the bad rotors....both spare ones i aquired are good, and the one on my 74. Wonder if our colder temps and shorter riding season save them.

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

Haha, hoo-boy, THAT takes me back! Reminds me of my 'spare parts' bike experience of 20 years ago. Looks like you've got the earlier (proper) variant of the XS1B. The fins look good, but can't tell if some of the silencer buttons are missing. You'll probably find the relief-valved 6mm oil pump in there, later 8mm is a drop-in. My fork tubes had the same rust pitting, spent hours derusting and polishing them, so they're now in second place in the "world's leakiest forks" category.

My daughter just turned 2 years old this week. Everyday that I ride home, she always want to come see the bike and she says "Hot Daddy, wanna blow on it" and she cools it off for me Shes a doll, and LOVES motorcycles, but then again, she should, she's been raised in a chop shop since she was 2 weeks old :thumbsup

That's amazing. Only 2 years old and already knows how to diagnose and solve.
Happy Birthday little one....

 

[racerdave]

even though I have no use for chops or brats, if any bike ever begged to be.....................

 

[xskid]

I like it! Keep up the good work

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[Bigfeet]

What it didn't get rephased as soon as it came off the truck? Who are you? It's like we don't know you anymore.

 

[Punkskalar]

What it didn't get rephased as soon as it came off the truck? Who are you? It's like we don't know you anymore.

Oh thats coming, just not quite yet. This is most likely the most abused/neglected XS650 I've come across that didn't have a frozen engine, so I wanna see just how good these machines are with minimal care for a bit, then I'll hotrod it this winter...

 

[SkavenDC]

Nice. A new HHB build thread. Looking forward to it.

Subscribed.

 

[shade]

Great thread, looking forward to what comes next...

 

[Punkskalar]

Roxxy the dog seems less than impressed - haha

 

[Punkskalar]

So we took off for the XS650 Chop Off in Ohio a while back, I rode this thing the entire way, alongside Tevan and His XS2 Resto-Mod.

Never a single issue with these two bikes, 1-2 kicks the entire trip, 13 hours straight on backroads, 600+ miles in one day. I did have my shop helper drive the chase truck just in case, but it was never needed. Which is good, since it overheated about 3 times - go figure - haha..

Leaving NC over the mountains into TN.

 

[Punkskalar]

No, I still haven't fixed the seat - probably won't, but who knows. That foam is definitely rotten though, so there may not be much foam left by the beginning of next year.

Somwhere in Kentucky

 

[Punkskalar]

Tevans bike isn't fully finished (He high-sided it last year, bummed it up pretty good) but he rode it anyhow. No seat, just a seatpan and a shirt wrapped in some plastic, missing emblems, etc... But his Rephased XS2 was a champ, even through 3 heavy rain storms and running hard for 13 hours. Proud of that young man and the bike he's built.