What to do.

[Dman1952]

I bought this 1972 XS 650 it’s been sitting for 33 years. It’s all there except the tank badges and original handlebar.
since it’s a little rusty I thought about blacking out the chrome. And painting the wheels black also. Has any one
seen an early XS blacked out. I do not have a title. I will put my historical tag from my 79 SR500 when I ride it.

 

[JesseeS]

Plenty of people have spray bombed their bikes over the years. Painting the headers and wheels is hardly blacking out, but seeing a later model one will give you an idea, just slight differences. Generally this is done by the rat/bobber folks. Personally I think it would look better a little rusty than spray painted. Is it running? Is the tank clean inside? There's a long list of things to go over before rattle canning it

 

[Dman1952]

After I wrote that I started removing the rust most is surface rust. It starting to come out better than I thought. I hate motors painted black. I wouldn’t paint the headers or mufflers. I was talking about the fenders and wheels. I am now going to leave it alone. The tank is shiny inside. It has 4680 miles Barely broken in. The front caliper is sticking. I like the Buckhorn‘s for comfort but I like the original type for style. I had one of these about 15 years ago the same year and let it go and it was in a lot better shape paid 50 bucks for it. I tried posting photos but I guess they’re too large. License plate say last ran in 1988.

 

[Dman1952]

I have been PB blasting all the bolts for about three days now and a lot of them are coming loose. I ordered a new seat. It has the original foam filters and are like new. I will probably need new hoses for the front brake. The one going into the caliper is pretty rusty. Especially the hard line.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I will put my historical tag from my 79 SR500 when I ride it.

If I understand this correctly:

(C) Whoever violates division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of this section is guilty of operating a motor vehicle bearing an invalid license plate or identification mark, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the third degree on each subsequent offense.

I didn't look further, but I believe that is a felony in some states. In that case, far better to drive with no plate at all.

 

[Dman1952]

If I understand this correctly:

I didn't look further, but I believe that is a felony in some states. In that case, far better to drive with no plate at all.

Well I’m seventy so I won’t have to long to server. I believe a cop won’t know the difference between a SR500 and acXS650.

 

[Dman1952]

Well I’m seventy so I won’t have to long to server. I believe a cop won’t know the difference between a SR500 and acXS650.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Well, we all know the risk in Ohio.

I went there because I’m from Georgia, where the penalty is far more severe. As you were.

 

[xjwmx]

I’m from Georgia, where the penalty is far more severe.

Chain gang on the cotton farm, going by the movies.

 

[xjwmx]

"What we're dealing with here is a complete lack of respect for the law."

 

[650Skull]

Chain gang on the cotton farm, going by the movies.

Slavery???

 

[jetmechmarty]

Slavery???

That used to be true.

Back to @Dman1952 and his XS-2

 

[jetmechmarty]

After I wrote that I started removing the rust most is surface rust. It starting to come out better than I thought. I hate motors painted black. I wouldn’t paint the headers or mufflers. I was talking about the fenders and wheels. I am now going to leave it alone. The tank is shiny inside. It has 4680 miles Barely broken in.

I've brought back some very ugly chrome and it looks good from ten feet away. I documented what I did.
https://www.xs650.com/threads/phosphoric-acid-for-rust-on-chrome-parts.58237/

 

[xjwmx]

Slavery???

"The 13th Amendment says you can't own slaves, but it says the government can. You in a Heap o' trouble, boy!"

 

[650Skull]

"The 13th Amendment says you can't own slaves, but it says the government can. You in a Heap o' trouble, boy!"

 

[gggGary]

"What we're dealing with here is a complete lack of respect for the law."

Thirteenth Amendment​

Section 1​

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

"The 13th Amendment says you can't own slaves, but it says the government can. You in a Heap o' trouble, boy!"

And conscription into military service.

 

[xjwmx]

"What we're dealing with here is a complete lack of respect for the law."

Oh man, I was hoping Smokey and the Bandit had stolen it from Cool hand Luke

 

[59Tebo]

Dman,
Focus first on functionality and safety, before aesthetics. Brakes, tires, and lighting, before anything else. Does it even run? Cool as it is, how much $$$ are you going to want to throw at a 50 year old machine?

 

[Dman1952]

I’ve been cleaning up the rust and my new $100 seat showed up today. Advice on best way to clean up the motor. I’ll be replacing all the cables. Plug wires are junk. Took off the brake caliper and all the bolts are frozen soaking with PB Blaster. I will need a one piece hose for the brake. I was told they drained the tank and carb 33 years ago. The tank is shiny inside. Will need new tires they are the original. Spent 5 hours today cleaning removing rust. Will touch up the frame with some black paint. And install new handlebars.

Dman,
Focus first on functionality and safety, before aesthetics. Brakes, tires, and lighting, before anything else. Does it even run? Cool as it is, how much $$$ are you going to want to throw at a 50 year old machine?

paid $600 need about $500 more to get it running including new tires tubes cables might need a new caliber soaking the bolt on the old one. Battery. I bought a 79 SR500 for $700 put new tires on it new speedo cable has 3600 miles on it started up first time in 20 years. Fun bike.

 

[willis]

For what it is worth, I powder coated the wheels on my '75 black and love the look. Also recommend a set of No.10 tracker style bars. They have an nice amount of rise with a little pullback. They are on the wider side at around 33" but I find that pretty comfortable.