J Vreede
XS650 New Member
Hi guys
I’m sort-of new here. I joined back in 2020. I bought this project Resto-mod (’74 frame & running gear/‘79 engine) in 2016, but have not worked on it until now. The pictures show it as I got it. In my opinion it’s got timeless lines (if you grew up in the 60’s and 70’s anyway).
It looks stock at first glance, but this is a partial list of what’s on/in it:
Anyway now is the time to finish it.
My contribution to the bike will be new wiring as most of it is corroded (strip the insulation anywhere and the copper is green) and a mashup of ’74 &’79 wiring/components. I want remote starting but can’t afford an M-Unit Blue, so I’ve made my own from a remote relay board and a couple of SPST relays to latch it. I‘ve got an FH020AA Mosfet reg/rec as the most robust one I know of, and an STS inertial/gyro self-cancelling indicator unit to put in. I’m going to use 1.1mm2 56 strand wire that’s used to on industrial robots, which should be proof against breakage from vibration and movement around the steering head.
I’m not sure about the std 35mm forks with 320mm discs/R1 calipers, so I’m thinking maybe some RWU 41mm R6 forks to attach the calipers like OEM. There’s only ~1mm clearance between the spokes and the insides of the 2 calipers which, I think, is why the builder used an 18” front wheel rim. I’m not keen on the 18” front as it doesn’t fill the mudguard properly or track as well on gravel roads, which we still have plenty of here. Custom triple clamps could space the legs and discs at whatever is necessary to give clearance on the spokes of a 19” rim.
At first I was freaked that it didn’t have matching engine & frame numbers, but once I thought about it, the later engine is probably better and I like the earlier styling. Besides I can’t get any flak for modifying something that should have been restored.
Rgds - jv
I’m sort-of new here. I joined back in 2020. I bought this project Resto-mod (’74 frame & running gear/‘79 engine) in 2016, but have not worked on it until now. The pictures show it as I got it. In my opinion it’s got timeless lines (if you grew up in the 60’s and 70’s anyway).
Brembo 320mm discs with R1 calipers and R6 radial master cylinder with braided lines (on std forks!)
Racetech cartridge emulators at front & Ohlins twinshocks on a GB500 Honda swingarm
18” front rim with stainless spokes front & rear
Heiden pipes with Conti mufflers
Std pegs shortened and rearset
Giuliani café seat
200W PMA, dual Dyna coils and Pamco (w/electronic adv) ign.
Anyway now is the time to finish it.
My contribution to the bike will be new wiring as most of it is corroded (strip the insulation anywhere and the copper is green) and a mashup of ’74 &’79 wiring/components. I want remote starting but can’t afford an M-Unit Blue, so I’ve made my own from a remote relay board and a couple of SPST relays to latch it. I‘ve got an FH020AA Mosfet reg/rec as the most robust one I know of, and an STS inertial/gyro self-cancelling indicator unit to put in. I’m going to use 1.1mm2 56 strand wire that’s used to on industrial robots, which should be proof against breakage from vibration and movement around the steering head.
I’m not sure about the std 35mm forks with 320mm discs/R1 calipers, so I’m thinking maybe some RWU 41mm R6 forks to attach the calipers like OEM. There’s only ~1mm clearance between the spokes and the insides of the 2 calipers which, I think, is why the builder used an 18” front wheel rim. I’m not keen on the 18” front as it doesn’t fill the mudguard properly or track as well on gravel roads, which we still have plenty of here. Custom triple clamps could space the legs and discs at whatever is necessary to give clearance on the spokes of a 19” rim.
At first I was freaked that it didn’t have matching engine & frame numbers, but once I thought about it, the later engine is probably better and I like the earlier styling. Besides I can’t get any flak for modifying something that should have been restored.
Rgds - jv
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Good luck with your bike, keep us posted!
