My name is Oxblood and this is my build!

[Oxblood]

Been lurking a while and decided to start my build thread. This is my first build I'm starting out with a running 79 XS650 special and extra front frame loop and engine (from a build a buddy started but never finished). Nothing too hardcore this time around just a basic chop. I picked up a David Bird looped tail with 4" stretch and 2" drop. My goal is to finish this winter for EDR next spring. I'm going to do a basic tuneup of my running engine and attempt to rebuild my spare once the bike is up and running. I'll update this thread and lists as I go and realize how much more work I've got!

Things left to do:
Check out engine / Tune
Rebuild carbs
Rebuild forks
build seat
build exhaust
wiring
Build sissy bar
mount fender
mount controls
mount tank
figure out front drum stay
shave forks


Things needed:
rear fender
Handlebars
Headlight
Brake light
Rear Wheel Spacers
Front Wheel Spacers


Stock 79 the day I brought her home:

Amazing to me how much just removing the seat helped:

but we're going a little further than that:

The goodies are starting to arrive beginning with my 21" front wheel and tire:

Stay tuned my tank and other goodies arrive next week, in the mean time here is a little of my inspiration from Heavy Rebel 2010.

--Oxblood

 

[I am Carbon]

Hi Oxblood good start welcome to XS.and good luck.

 

[sherwin]

Looks like you're off to a good start. It's funny that a stock XS looks so much better once one gets rid of the seat.

 

[Oxblood]

No time to work on it today, too much real work, but here's a drive by with my axed tank.

 

[gemiller]

Oxblood, do you have any closeups of the side bottom frame rail. I just tacked up my bird looped hard tail and it just doesn't look perfectly straight, want to see what someone else's looks like. Thanks!

 

[Oxblood]

Non ATM I'll get one next time I'm over there. Mine's not straight either, I think I'm going to try and take a larger diameter tube that will hide the slight bend cut it in half and try and mimic the sleeve on the downtubes to hide it.

 

[gemiller]

Ahh, well I think that answered my question then, thanks for the information. I was worried I cut something wrong. Everything fit up perfect it just wasn't perfectly straight. It looks sharp though. Thanks for the answer!

 

[uknowme2goog]

nice work....keep us updated with pictures...

 

[Oxblood]

It's starting to look like a bike again!

My major stumbling block now is wheel spacers, the front I know I'm going to have to make myself but I'm trying to find some drum spacers for the rear. Here it is mocked up with the mag wheel spacers. You david bird Hardtail people feel free to chime in on rear wheel fitment!

 

[XS650_Bobber]

Nice bike, keep posting... What color you will use in your bike???

 

[TeeCat]

Welcome! I like what's going on!

Did you take the photos of your inspiration? They look almost like oil paintings.

TC

 

[pratstyle]

im starting this week or next weekend on my hard tail conversion, ill post pics as well. what stretch and drop did you order? also is that the 16 or 18 inch rear? great job so far

 

[Oxblood]

Nice bike, keep posting... What color you will use in your bike???

I'm thinking along these lines for the frame:

And some crazy frisco style paint for the tank/fender

Welcome! I like what's going on!

Did you take the photos of your inspiration? They look almost like oil paintings.

TC

I took those during Heavy Rebel Weekender back in 2010. Haven't been to a show since then

im starting this week or next weekend on my hard tail conversion, ill post pics as well. what stretch and drop did you order? also is that the 16 or 18 inch rear? great job so far

4" stretch 2" Drop 18" Rear

::Oxblood

 

[Robd]

[QUOTE

My major stumbling block now is wheel spacers, the front I know I'm going to have to make myself but I'm trying to find some drum spacers for the rear. Here it is mocked up with the mag wheel spacers. You david bird Hardtail people feel free to chime in on rear wheel fitment![/QUOTE]

I'm using heritage wheels. I had to use 2 3mm washers to take up the space. I bought some brass washers from mccmastercarr item# 91635a320

 

[wes63bug]

nice build so far, love that hartail and tank, cant wait to see this thing completed, keep up the good work.

 

[Oxblood]

Working on a change in altitude up front, she's coming down 3". I was about ready to murder someone after trying to get the fork seals out with everything I could find for 3+ hours and had started to walk away when I caught a tire spoon out of the corner of my eye. Mofo worked like a champ! Also picked up some Biltwell 7/8" windows bars on the cheap, not sure how I feel about em but they'll get me on the road.

Never knew shaving my legs took so long, no wonder it takes forever for my wife to get ready. Gonna finish the other leg tomorrow then start the long process of sanding buffing and polishing.

And just so you know all the Hardcore chopper builds rock butterflys these days!

 

[Oxblood]

After much deliberation on the idea of buying a Chinese tig I pulled the trigger on an everlast powertig 250. It's a pulse machine with a whole lotta of options and more settings than the space shuttle. I've historically used millers but couldn't justify the price at this time. I noticed one in a picture from voodoo vintage (voodoovintage.com) and asked David how he liked his, it was from his glowing review I decided to take a chance. I'll let you guys know how she fares!

 

[XS650_Bobber]

 

[Oxblood]

Just noticed my latest pic wasn't up!

Also got my rear fender in from 7 metal west!

Gonna head into town today and try and pick up some argon and consumables for the welder then maybe I'll have the fender mounted this weekend.

 

[XS650_Bobber]

Keep posting...