Restomod from New Zealand

J Vreede

XS650 Member
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Location
Hamilton New Zealand
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).

IMG_2777.JPG

IMG_2776 (2).JPG
It looks stock at first glance, but this is a partial list of what’s on/in it:
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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Hi JV, welcome to the madness!

You are so right about timeless appeal, that bike has it in spades. Had that Guiliani seat or sommat v similar on a Kawasaki Z1 of fond memories, so 70s-80s. Looking forward to seeing how it comes along with the changes you're planning, cheers, Raymond
 
Hi guys

I’m sort-of new here. I joined back in 2016, when I bought this project Resto-mod (’74 frame & running gear/‘79 engine), 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).

View attachment 247824
View attachment 247827It looks stock at first glance, but this is a partial list of what’s on/in it:
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
Hello JV
What a cracking bike!
Lots of nice details on your restomod.
Looking forward to the finished article.
 
Hi guys

I’m sort-of new here. I joined back in 2016, when I bought this project Resto-mod (’74 frame & running gear/‘79 engine), 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).

View attachment 247824
View attachment 247827It looks stock at first glance, but this is a partial list of what’s on/in it:
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
I had an 19” Sun rim custom laced inside/inside to clear the calipers on my stock 43mm r6 front end
 
Welcome. I really, really, really like your "slightly rearset" rearsets.
Thanks all
Here are some closeups of the 'mid-sets' Kevin. Much nicer riding positioning with flat bars than standard and look easy to do. Don't claim any credit as that's how I got it. Believe the builder was a South African guy named Pete (or Piet) from Auckland.
IMG_20230726_093009.jpg
IMG_20230726_093046.jpg
IMG_20230726_093144.jpg
IMG_20230726_093057.jpg
IMG_20230726_093109.jpg
IMG_20230726_093207.jpg
 
Hi Guys
Will remain black for me.
Been a while. Its still not running but progress is being made.
Decided the 51-strand, numbered but not color coded, robot wiring was a stupid way to go when color coded wire is available. Vehice Wiring Products in UK (https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/) have 11 base colours, with other colors as10 tracers of each, for 121 different color coded wires! Most wiring looms work out at ~20 different colors so you can match almost any old loom. 1mm2 wire in thinwall insulation has the most color options but there are thicker and thinner wires, thicker insulation, tinned wires etc. Plus they sell the connectors crimpers etc. Good quick service too.
In thin wall 1mm2, their 32 strand wire can take 16Amps (where the thick wall 1mm2, also available, is only 14 strand and can only take 8.75Amp). Much better vibration resistance for an XS650! No-brainer.
Check out the .pdf download booklet from Rupert Paul (ex-editor of Fast Bikes mag - still miss it) on expert tips for wiring bikes (https://rupesrewires.com/) Its 20Pounds UK ($27US) and well worth it. Highly recommend.
Sorry not more to report but Life is getting in the way - jv
 
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