drog
XS650 Addict
From being on a few different xs650 sites i have noticed quite a bit of misinformation and confusion concerning the origin and history of this cool little bike.I make no claim that i have all the answers by any means,but having worked for a major parts supplier for these machines and through some research i have learned some interesting facts about them. To understand the why,when and how the xs came about, you must research some of the history of Japan's early vertical twins,with names such as Cabton,Meguro,Showa and of course,Hosk.I am not going to give a full history lesson here,as i do not possess the full knowledge to do so,or the time,but i will throw a little interesting info out there for you that may spur your desire to do some research on your own. From what i have gathered,Cabton got started in the late 1930's building bikes,and built it's first OHV Twin in 1950,a 500 c.c. 24 H.P. model.In 1955 Hosk introduced its own 500c.c. model,The Road King! Yes,The Road King.Name sound familiar?It had a 63mm bore and 80 mm stroke,498c.c.The final model,in 1960,was good for 110 mph with it's 40 horse engine.There has been discussion that the xs650 introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1968 is really the Hosk!If that is true,then our beloved xs 650 has the right to claim to be the next -to- first vertical twin from Japan!