Popping my custom bike building cherry Tracker Project.

[The Tin Man]

Plenty of aircooled VW rebuilds under my belt but I cant afford another Splitscreen Van so im having a go at a custom build XS 650 its aircooled anyways. I did lots of riding pre kids mostly off road now they have left home I have decided its time again. So Tracker seems sensible as its a better riding position than a Cafe for a stiff old bloke.

I want to document the build here. Now days with the FBook lots of the old school Internet VW Forums are dead or dying so i was happy to see that this site is reasonably active so im sure i can gain from your input and leave a record for others.

I bought an 1975 XS basket case with no motor and I've been collecting parts for a while. Its winter here in Australia so I have some time on hand. So far I've started by d tabbing the frame and fitting a tanlk and seat. I have a Wes Boge Tracker seat from Counter Balance MCs in distressed leather NICE! Also an 1974 RD 350 tank. The RD tank has an open end and I didn't like the way the seat and tank meet so I have welded a bulkhead at the end of the RD tank tunnel and fabbed up a rear tab to locate it on the frame the front locating ears have been moved slightly as I want a continuous line along the seat base.

Some photos of my the last two Kombi bus builds

And the start of the Tracker

 

[Signal]

Welcome Mitch, I have a soft spot for trackers, keep us up with developments.

 

[angus67]

This an extremely active site.sometimes you get replies just moments after posting

 

[CoconutPete]

Good luck w/ the build!

 

[Mailman]

Welcome Mitch,
I have always wanted a nice old single cab bus, but I know what you mean about the prices going sky high.

Looks like you’ve got a good start for your bike. Keep us posted, good luck!

 

[The Tin Man]

Welcome Mitch,
I have always wanted a nice old single cab bus, but I know what you mean about the prices going sky high.
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Looks like you’ve got a good start for your bike. Keep us posted, good luck!

Hey mailman you should be able to find a nice dry ex hippy bus somewhere in Arizona!

 

[The Tin Man]

Some more progress I received my radeon swing arm , I think thats an YX600? over there anyway they never came to Australia so i had to ship it. I also received my conversion hub and spoke set from cognimoto (nice kit) and finished polishing my rims so i will be studying up on lacing on you tube tonight.

Polished rims and black hubs like my old YZ 490

The old mud slingers came up a treat!

 

[The Tin Man]

Finished off the RD tank in primer. Decided it was nicer and possibly easier and cheaper to buy an aftermarket bung and cap and weld that in. Pretty happy with the results.
Does anyone know why the two spouts seem blocked off and what they are for? the tank has provision for 1 petcock which I hope will be in the correct location, but the two spouts refuse to yield from much wire poking and dont leak in a pressure test. perhaps i can cut them off?

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

If my oldschool memory serves, I recall that some tanks had spouts for venting the tank. Does your new tank cap have provision to vent the tank?

 

[Brassneck]

Welcome!! Love they Kombi's. I have a '69 Ghia that I'm working on...love VW's.

Your bike is coming along really well! Looking forward to the build.

 

[Ozboy]

Welcome aboard Mitch and fellow Aussie!
Following your build as your VW Kombi's builds are stunning. I was in the same boat with the prices of cars and restos, bikes seem logical price wise.
Cheers.

 

[The Tin Man]

If my oldschool memory serves, I recall that some tanks had spouts for venting the tank. Does your new tank cap have provision to vent the tank?

No no vent. I am planning to drill the cap and machine the inner to create a vented cap.

 

[The Tin Man]

Welcome aboard Mitch and fellow Aussie!
Following your build as your VW Kombi's builds are stunning. I was in the same boat with the prices of cars and restos, bikes seem logical price wise.
Cheers.

Cheers Ozzie, a few of us here thanks for the kombi compliments lots of attention to detail and all my own work. Mitch

 

[The Tin Man]

At last Ive had some time with this project. Wheels laced collected lost more "bits" and starting mockup build. The Radian swing arm was a seamless install and it looks like the rear drum brake stay will work as is. The Cognigmoto conversion stem is nice kit and goes on like its meant to. Nicolas does great work and his customer service is as good as It gets.
So im hoping for some progress although its summer here so wedding season for Lovebuskombis so progress will not be rapid.