"Thor's Hammer" Australian XS650 Bobber Build

Friday, 30 November 2012 - Coiled up!

Today I had the opportunity to tack a coil mount to the frame. As you can see I need to be somewhat cautious when welding in a second story carpeted apartment!

Now I'm looking to see if there are any suitable cloth wrapped plug leads that are suitable for my Pamco electonic ignition.



c


a


b


Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com.au/
 
Mate I love the build. I'm about
70% through my bobber build here in brissy.

Just wondering how you've gone with compliance ?

I've been navigating the QLD system and so far it's pretty straight
Forward from what I can tell.

I'll get a thread up shortly, but in the mean time get back to me on John.dowling409@gmail.com

I'd love to trade pictures!
 
Mate I love the build. I'm about
70% through my bobber build here in brissy.

Just wondering how you've gone with compliance ?

I've been navigating the QLD system and so far it's pretty straight
Forward from what I can tell.

I'll get a thread up shortly, but in the mean time get back to me on John.dowling409@gmail.com

I'd love to trade pictures!

Thanks for the great feedback John!

In terms of compliance, the bike is pre-compliance being a 1975 chassis. Engineering on the other hand (which I assume you're asking about) is still a hurdle I'm yet to tackle.

I've got a few local Sydney contacts that have suggested they can put me in touch with friendly certified engineers that may be able to certify the hard-tail without too many dramas. I just hope this will be he case when I'm ready.

Best of luck with your build. Perhaps you can start a thread and show it off?


Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com.au/
 
For those that have been following my thread, rest assured I'm still looking at getting this thing up and running sometime soon.

Long story short, I've had some hurdles and side projects that have kept me away from working on the XS for quite some time.

Here's a quick rundown:

* Made redundant 1 month before Xmas (sucked balls)
* Had time to finally get my learner riders permit (made me fell better)
* Decided to take what humble redundancy payout I had and bought a registered and running Honda CB250N shitter (felt a bit better until I realised I'm crap at saving)
* Flew down to Batemans Bay and rode back said shitter, sight unseen over 300km along coastal roads with only 1 hour riding experience (fucking brilliant and challenging fun)
* Decided that the bike would one day become my girlfriend's and decided to pretty it up (thoughts of spending more money that I couldn't afford spinning me out even further)
* Rebuilt a neat little cafe racer out of the Honda in three weeks with the help of my girlfriend and brother (pretty proud of our efforts)
* Scored a new full-time job after being unemployed for 3 months (relief)
* Had the radiator blow it's guts on the F100, possibly damaging the engine in the process (frustrated that I can't afford to fix it, with it still awaiting repair)

As a result, I've been riding the bike every day rain, hail or shine for the last two months. This includes heaps of long distance rides with the Sydney Cafe Racer crew.

Now that I've become a fully fledged motorcyclist, the hunger to get "Thor's Hammer" running has strengthened, and most importantly, now that I'm working again I can start to plan the nest phase which is the engine rebuild. With the support of some friends, I'll attempt to do the bulk of the engine work myself.

Anyhow, here's a few pics of the Honda that I'm currently riding.

Before:


00001 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


00001 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


00002 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


00004 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


After, starring Nicci my girlfriend and future owner of the "Cherry Bomb"


_DSC0284 copy copy by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


_DSC0292 copy copy by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


_DSC0335 copy copy by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


And here's the latest pic of "Thor's Hammer" as starring in a campaign for Rising Sun Customs communal workshop campaign.


risingSun_StephenBroholm2013 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


I promise to keep y'all up to date whenever any progress is made on the XS.


Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com.au/
 
Hey Steve!
Good to see you back.
Sorry to hear about Your troubles Man.
Happy to know work has come your way.
Life with no money SUX!
I like the little red bike.
So Your a biker now rain or shine we ride.
That's the way I do it. No cage for me!
I luv my frog togs
 
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Friday, 31 May 2013 - Cool Video!

G'day guys.

I thought you might dig a project that I was asked to be a part of titled "Stories of Bike".

It's a platform for riders, enthusiasts and builders to discuss what makes them tick. I see a big future for Cam Elkins, the project mastermind and producer.

I was lucky enough to be involved in the making of episode 2, hope you guys dig it.



Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com.au/
 
Saturday, 20 July 2013 - Engine Autopsy

Riding the CB250N "Cherry Bomb" has been a hoot, with a total of 9000kms being ridden over the last 6 months, rain, hail or shine. It is however, time to finally step up to more power, with my finally getting the hunger to start working on "Thor's Hammer" again.

I'm lucky enough to have some amazing support from the Sydney Cafe Racer crew, with a brains trust joining me on my engine autopsy. The guys included Darren Mllichamp, Nicky Steps, Bill Wallis, Grant Kaplan, Jordan Rodgers, Jordan Kightly, Nicolette Skobier and my brother Michael.

Thus the engine autopsy party was devised, with everybody lending a hand to tear the engine apart and diagnose what parts were required to perform a quality rebuild.

Thankfully it was in pretty good shape, except for the 5th pinion gear that had some tooth decay.

In case you hadn't noticed, I've discovered Instagram since my last post!


Thors Hammer 00940 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00941 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00942 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00943 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00950 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00944 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00948 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00949 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00965 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00951 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00952 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00953 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00954 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00955 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00956 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00957 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00958 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00960 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00961 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00962 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00963 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00964 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Thors Hammer 00966 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com.au/
 
My bobber past engineering last week!!

2pq01o4.jpg


If there's any interest about tips/tricks I'll make the effort to get around and make a thread up rather then bumming on this one!

Peace
 
Monday, 12 August 2013 - Back to basics!

It seems that the tax man has been kind to me this year, with a nice little return hopefully making its way to completing the build.

In celebration, I decided to start tearing the bike apart again for sorting prior to performing the final finishes.


Thors Hammer 00967 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Cheers

Steve

http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com.au/
 
My bobber past engineering last week!!

2pq01o4.jpg


If there's any interest about tips/tricks I'll make the effort to get around and make a thread up rather then bumming on this one!

Peace

Holy crap John, she's amazing!!!!!!!

Yes, please tell me your secret to gaining engineering, fire away!

I'm about to hit the sack, but look forward to your info mate.


Cheers

Steve


http://inmotionphotogxs650.blogspot.com.au/
 
Thanks man! allot of time spent on the build!! I love the look of both your bikes man, the next 650 im looking at making will be swaying more towards the Cafe racer style.

I started this bike late Jan this year! So its been almost an obsession!

Unfortunately im not always on these forums, however you can grab me on email via john.dowling409@gmail.com or even search me on facebook "john.dowling.39750"

Which state are you in? cause things will be different to my slightly if you aren't also in QLD!
 
Friday, 20 December 2013 - The Final Push


Well, I've finally got a final push happening in the build of "Thor's Hammer".

A lot has been happening with my prepping the engine and bike for paint. I'll let the pictures and brief descriptions do the talking.


Getting the engine parts ready for blasting, and getting the heads re-built

IMG_1793 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr



Shaving the fins on the head and barrels prior to blasting

IMG_2678 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_2682 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


The re-built head and blasted parts on their way home

IMG_2742 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Matching castings

IMG_2744 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Filling in the Yamaha logo

IMG_2750 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_2934 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr



Re-built crank ready for install

IMG_2760 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Repaired a broken fin from before I grabbed the bike. Used a fin I cut off a spare head.

IMG_2775 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_2777 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_2909 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Black zinc coated parts (this is only a small example of what was coated)

IMG_2954 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_2964 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Black ceramic coated headers and pipes

IMG_3093 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Colour choices for the tin work

IMG_3102 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_3106 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Prepping the guards and tank for paint (helping hand from Thomas, a fellow Sydney Cafe Racer member)

IMG_3261 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_3263 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Tank lined

IMG_3274 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


Chassis prepped ready for final welding of tabs and paint

IMG_3276 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_3277 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_3278 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr


IMG_3279 by inmotionphotography, on Flickr
 
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