2BrokeBikes
XS650 Member
Hi All! My name is Scott. I'm new to the forum and world of the venerable XS650. I got into motorcycles late in life and have been working exclusively on old Hondas up until now. Why not? They're relatively cheap, easy, and plentiful. Below is my latest project and current rider.
Recently, however, I went to the One Moto show here in Portland, Oregon, USA, and saw about half a dozen bikes sporting the XS650 power plant. It's a beautiful motor and the variety of different bikes it was being used in got me intrigued. Bobbers, choppers, brats, survivors, trackers, you name it, they were all represented. After some research on the internet, in general, and this site, in particular, I was hooked. I started searching the usual places for viable specimens for sale. I didn't want anything too nice since I plan to customize. I ended up driving three hours to pick up a basket case bobber project from a really nice guy who's getting out of motorcycles.
The main bits are a '78 XS-2F frame and '80-'81 XS-SH motor. The frame has been stripped and the rear hoop chopped off. The PO had redone the front fork stanchions, shortening them by about 2" and fitted some shorter rear shocks for an all around lower stance. The motor turns over and that's about all I know so far. The accompanying boxes contain a variety of aftermarket chopper bits (peanut tank, fat rear fender, 2-into-1 Mac exhaust, etc.), a few OEM parts (carbs, gauges, etc.), and a wealth of manuals (Clymer, Haynes, and FSM). It looks like almost enough for a full bike! (but, of course, that's never the case, right?)
I was fooling around out in the garage after getting it home and uncovered an old tank that I had laying around. For giggles, I threw it on the XS and I really liked the look! I hadn't seen anything like that combo at the show or in my subsequent searches on the web. I think I'm going to start going in a patina / bobber / brat / whatever direction with this build and see where that takes me.
Looking forward to being part of the community and getting to know you all!
Recently, however, I went to the One Moto show here in Portland, Oregon, USA, and saw about half a dozen bikes sporting the XS650 power plant. It's a beautiful motor and the variety of different bikes it was being used in got me intrigued. Bobbers, choppers, brats, survivors, trackers, you name it, they were all represented. After some research on the internet, in general, and this site, in particular, I was hooked. I started searching the usual places for viable specimens for sale. I didn't want anything too nice since I plan to customize. I ended up driving three hours to pick up a basket case bobber project from a really nice guy who's getting out of motorcycles.
The main bits are a '78 XS-2F frame and '80-'81 XS-SH motor. The frame has been stripped and the rear hoop chopped off. The PO had redone the front fork stanchions, shortening them by about 2" and fitted some shorter rear shocks for an all around lower stance. The motor turns over and that's about all I know so far. The accompanying boxes contain a variety of aftermarket chopper bits (peanut tank, fat rear fender, 2-into-1 Mac exhaust, etc.), a few OEM parts (carbs, gauges, etc.), and a wealth of manuals (Clymer, Haynes, and FSM). It looks like almost enough for a full bike! (but, of course, that's never the case, right?)
I was fooling around out in the garage after getting it home and uncovered an old tank that I had laying around. For giggles, I threw it on the XS and I really liked the look! I hadn't seen anything like that combo at the show or in my subsequent searches on the web. I think I'm going to start going in a patina / bobber / brat / whatever direction with this build and see where that takes me.
Looking forward to being part of the community and getting to know you all!
I usually go with lower, super bike style bars on my projects. However, I want this one to feel more "uncivilized". Nothing says that better than apes, IMHO!
