Modern frame for an XS650SE

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Sosso

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Hello pals,

I'm proud owner of a 81 3L1 XS. Or let say an engine as the bike suffered a bad crash!

I love this lump and maybe will consider to bump it to 700 but will definitely not exchange it for anything else! Don't ask why, I dunno

I found plenty of topics to repair and upgrade and my XS but I'm looking for something different.

I would like to transplant the lump in a modern frame, i.e. but haven't find a lot info. I guess XS engine is quite tall and I'm afraid it will not fit even in a Suzy air/oil frame (I remember topic on XS in B6 frame ). I was thinking to suspend it to a TRX 850 treillis frame! My idea will be to go lighter and more modern components in keeping my good ol lump :)

I'm not that talented or/and audacious: new engine brackets yes, cut the frame in piece parts no way

Any advice on a suitable modern frame?

Cheers mates.
 
Hey Automan, indeed that might be a good catch a new Triumph twin or maybe a Royal Enfield 650 ( is it Spondon designed) could be able to handle the XS.
 
Sosso said:
Hey Automan, indeed that might be a good catch a new Triumph twin or maybe a Royal Enfield 650 ( is it Spondon designed) could be able to handle the XS.
Click to expand...
How and where to mount is the question.
C/S sprocket close to swingarm pivot-important for squat/lift and chain tension changes.
Triangulate engine mounting for durability.

As for using engine as stressed member i dunno :shrug:
 
Flat track accessories, Gerry Cheney has been making chrome moly frames for xs engines for years, tell him what you want and you will have the best handling xs ever, mine has his triples with r6 forks, Ohlins shocks and Cognito Moto wheels. The only downside is you have to be all in on the “tracker look”
 
Here's a few suggestions for a modern frame to put a XS650 motor into.

These suggestions are all companies in the UK. There's a few others too but these companies spring to mind. Wasp and John Hand Racing build Metisse style machines. Co-built build flat track machines for both racing and road use. Metal Malarkey build more or less anything you can think of -

Wasp - http://www.waspmotorcycles.com/

Co-built - http://www.co-built.net/

John Hand Racing - https://www.facebook.com/people/JHR-John-hand-racing/100050486261659/

Metal Malarkey - https://www.malarkeyengineering.co.uk/

Hope that helps.
 
Thanks mate this is very welcome, great options especially cause it's UK made. Knowing that I'm in Switzerland getting a frame from USA is let say quite challenging!
 
Sosso said:
Thanks mate this is very welcome, great options especially cause it's UK made. Knowing that I'm in Switzerland getting a frame from USA is let say quite challenging!
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Happy to help. Without exception, those companies build frames that are works of art.

A bit more information relating to the Metisse style frames. You can still buy frames from companies called Rickman and called Metisse. Both of those people buy their frames from Wasp. John Hand Racing was started a couple of years ago by John Hand who is part of the family that started the Wasp Motorcycles company in the 1960's. So, buying from either Wasp or John Hand Racing, you're getting the real deal. Hand built and bronze welded (or brazed). The bronze welding is beautiful.

I believe, CHF being a very strong currency against GBP, buying from the UK might be a very good option for you.

I can also suggest high quality UK alloy fuel tank fabricators etc..... should you require them. Good luck.
 
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I wasn't aware Wasp producing anything else than sidecars! These bronze brazing are gorgeous, maybe clear coat will be even better than nickel plating on such a frame.
I'll get in touch with the guys to get quotes.
 
Sosso said:
I wasn't aware Wasp producing anything else than sidecars! These bronze brazing are gorgeous, maybe clear coat will be even better than nickel plating on such a frame.
I'll get in touch with the guys to get quotes.
Click to expand...
Yes, I believe you can buy the frames without nickel plating. Clear powder coat would look excellent.

Please keep us informed how the project develops.
 
I had answers and quotes from both Waspmotorcycles and Malarkeyengineering.
Interestingly Malarkey's guys are currently putting together an XS650 Tracker for themselves while Wasp is more in the mood of ready to race frames.
 
Sosso said:
Hello pals,

I'm proud owner of a 81 3L1 XS. Or let say an engine as the bike suffered a bad crash!

I love this lump and maybe will consider to bump it to 700 but will definitely not exchange it for anything else! Don't ask why, I dunno

I found plenty of topics to repair and upgrade and my XS but I'm looking for something different.

I would like to transplant the lump in a modern frame, i.e. but haven't find a lot info. I guess XS engine is quite tall and I'm afraid it will not fit even in a Suzy air/oil frame (I remember topic on XS in B6 frame ). I was thinking to suspend it to a TRX 850 treillis frame! My idea will be to go lighter and more modern components in keeping my good ol lump :)

I'm not that talented or/and audacious: new engine brackets yes, cut the frame in piece parts no way

Any advice on a suitable modern frame?

Cheers mates.
Click to expand...
Something totally different

Not so modern, but are raved about by those who do have one.

Thread is 4 years old, Jim posted contact details + his web site, (not Jim, the guy who has/had the frames), if you want to check it out.
https://www.xs650.com/threads/halco-ascot-tt-ya-want-one.60882/

The Ascot is a rubber mounted engined frame, tracker, ( guess it could b built to what you want), which is supposed to b far superior to the factory XS.

XSTony's thread on his Ascott
https://www.xs650.com/threads/halco-ascot.61304/
 
Sosso said:
[/QUOT
Unfortunately Fritz is long gone... but I'm not convinced either in an Egli framed XS 650. This is quite a tall engine and you can't really tilt it. Adding a large diameter tube on top, I wonder how the final bike will look like.
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I think you're right. A large diameter top tube above the engine would be a difficult one to engineer without the complete bike being too high.

We lost Colin Seeley a while ago in the UK. He had a unique way of designing bike frames too. His frames were excellent for single cylinder and parallel twin motors alike.
 
Not the latest frame but bolting an XS650 motor into a Suzuki GS500 chassis is said to be pretty straight forward.
1764857242840.png
 

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