Viper
XS650 Enthusiast
I purchased my 78 xs650 Special from an auction place near by for $500 and it was in fairly good shape. Carbs were gummed up the cam chain tensioner was worn, the starter was grinding and the petcocks leaked like a sieve.
I've never owned, or ridden a motorcycle before.
After a yearish of work, it was working pretty good.
In January I was laid off with two other coworkers. The company laid off a good amount of people before hand.
I decided since I was doing nothing but making a bit of money from the government for doing nothing, that it was time to work on my bike.
To do:
I've always liked Clay Lubbers bike, and wanted mine to be similar.
http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/clay_lubbers/XS650s/79%20SF%20Tracker/
Please Ignore the cluttered garage.
I took the bike out for a quick run up and down the road March 9th, an exhaust broke and now matched the other side.
Notice the fork dust seals are broken, and stick up.
Engine Crankcase opened up.
Broken First Gear found!
I had purchased gears from a 81 xs650, and a centerstand off of ebay for a good price, to replace the damaged gear.
Shift forks were in good shape.
Bike fairly dismantled.
I upgraded the clutch thrust bearing, here is a comparison of the mike's and the stock one.
After seeing the frame in it's dirtiness, i figured it was time to degrease the entire thing. I was going to paint it with spray cans (since money was an object). I kept getting told i should definitely sandblast it and powdercoat it. I called a lot of places, and it was generally around $200 for someone to do both.
I found a place that would sandblast it for $25, and another place which would powdercoat it for $40. I wanted it silver/grey as well. The powdercoat place would only do black, unless i bought powder, which turned out to be a ton of money, and a big waste. I decided to do black.
At the same time I was planning on an Omar's xrws seat.
http://www.omarsdtr.com/stXRWS.html
I am Canadian. Omar's is in California. I had Robert Ward send the seat to Buffalo, and i went to pick it up. I had such an issue at the border, and almost had the seat seized by customs. I would recommend to have it shipped to your house. Saves you time, money and a hassle.
Removed stock seat mounts for omars seat, and powder coating
412 on the frame. Has anyone ever noticed this? what does it mean?
Omar's seat on the frame with tank.
View under the seat
Texture of the seat
Comparison of new Mike's xs Shorty Megaphone Mufflers with my old ones (Stock?)
I think the Previous Owner installed aftermarket mufflers and swapped the muffler hanger brackets from each side.
Test fitting the new mufflers on the bike, and a bit of the new paint. (it's niiiiiice)
I have received a job and i start in 4 days, and I wanted to share how the build is going. I wanted to have the entire bike done by the time i started a job, but I'm thrilled at how it's turning out.
If anyone knows where i can get tank, seat and sidecovers painted for a good price in Ontario, let me know.
More Pictures to come. It's close to running!
I've never owned, or ridden a motorcycle before.
After a yearish of work, it was working pretty good.
In January I was laid off with two other coworkers. The company laid off a good amount of people before hand.
I decided since I was doing nothing but making a bit of money from the government for doing nothing, that it was time to work on my bike.
To do:
- Fix broken First Gear
- New Transmission Bearings
- New Seat
- Remount the Pamco green coil on the stock coil mount bar
- 32 Tooth Rear Sprocket?
- Repaint the frame, or parts of.
- Tapered Steering Bearings
- Brass Swing Arm Bushings
- Tracker Handlebar
- General clean up
- Put Fork Dust Seals on
I've always liked Clay Lubbers bike, and wanted mine to be similar.
http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/clay_lubbers/XS650s/79%20SF%20Tracker/
Please Ignore the cluttered garage.
I took the bike out for a quick run up and down the road March 9th, an exhaust broke and now matched the other side.
Notice the fork dust seals are broken, and stick up.
Engine Crankcase opened up.
Broken First Gear found!
I had purchased gears from a 81 xs650, and a centerstand off of ebay for a good price, to replace the damaged gear.
Shift forks were in good shape.
Bike fairly dismantled.
I upgraded the clutch thrust bearing, here is a comparison of the mike's and the stock one.
After seeing the frame in it's dirtiness, i figured it was time to degrease the entire thing. I was going to paint it with spray cans (since money was an object). I kept getting told i should definitely sandblast it and powdercoat it. I called a lot of places, and it was generally around $200 for someone to do both.
I found a place that would sandblast it for $25, and another place which would powdercoat it for $40. I wanted it silver/grey as well. The powdercoat place would only do black, unless i bought powder, which turned out to be a ton of money, and a big waste. I decided to do black.
At the same time I was planning on an Omar's xrws seat.
http://www.omarsdtr.com/stXRWS.html
I am Canadian. Omar's is in California. I had Robert Ward send the seat to Buffalo, and i went to pick it up. I had such an issue at the border, and almost had the seat seized by customs. I would recommend to have it shipped to your house. Saves you time, money and a hassle.
Removed stock seat mounts for omars seat, and powder coating
412 on the frame. Has anyone ever noticed this? what does it mean?
Omar's seat on the frame with tank.
View under the seat
Texture of the seat
Comparison of new Mike's xs Shorty Megaphone Mufflers with my old ones (Stock?)
I think the Previous Owner installed aftermarket mufflers and swapped the muffler hanger brackets from each side.
Test fitting the new mufflers on the bike, and a bit of the new paint. (it's niiiiiice)
I have received a job and i start in 4 days, and I wanted to share how the build is going. I wanted to have the entire bike done by the time i started a job, but I'm thrilled at how it's turning out.
If anyone knows where i can get tank, seat and sidecovers painted for a good price in Ontario, let me know.
More Pictures to come. It's close to running!
