XS650 Adventure Bike?

I like the looks and the black stripes on the tank - is that a decal or a paint job ? If decal, where do you buy them ?
1709779878969.png
I bought it like that in late '22, there have been details I needed to iron out... I believe the paint job was a "one off" custom. The seller mentioned custom laser painting or something like that... It is a cool iteration of the "speed block" but I will have to find another '77, '78 or '79 soon so I don't repaint this...
 
View attachment 263314 I bought it like that in late '22, there have been details I needed to iron out... I believe the paint job was a "one off" custom. The seller mentioned custom laser painting or something like that... It is a cool iteration of the "speed block" but I will have to find another '77, '78 or '79 soon so I don't repaint this...
Looks better without the front fender. A LOT better.
 
Three! Such nice bikes, one of them is a 750, correct? They are all distinctly different, do you have a favorite? I know which one I like. 😎
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6783.jpeg
    IMG_6783.jpeg
    675.7 KB · Views: 51
  • IMG_6782.jpeg
    IMG_6782.jpeg
    506.9 KB · Views: 49
Three! Such nice bikes, one of them is a 750, correct? They are all distinctly different, do you have a favorite? I know which one I like. 😎
Number 9 belongs to my son @Ben1 and is a 750. We forgot to get me some saddle time on that bike but Ben is very enamored with it. He thinks it is almost as powerful or equally so to Number 81 which is a 750 also. I loved the Blue Tracker until I got the jetting close to correct on the Red Bike. Now the Red Bike is in favor for the all around goodness it exhibits. The Blue Tracker needs the front end rebuild that the Red Bike got last winter, the forks are really clunky right now. That and higher bars may return the Blue Tracker to equal status. The Blue Tracker is a fun powerhouse but the Red Bike is quieter and better for hours long rides. We realized later that Number 9 was a calendar bike in 2022.:smoke:
 
I started today. Shino trials tires similar to the 72ish DT250 are getting mounted in a local shop this week. I think I remove the tank to protect it to swap handlebars and rebuild/modify the forks. Semi rearsets are a work in progress.View attachment 263312
I’m following from this post. Need to read earlier post to catch up:geek:
 
My threads tend to drift a bit. We get a good flavor of members offering up memories, ideas and suggestions from hard earned experience. I have gathered up some bits to move forward on this little transformation. My time previously was devoted to Carmella 9 hours a day. Now I need to redirect. The original idea was an ongoing project with no time frame. Ben and I will still have Rallys to ride together. Now this Adventure Ride may come sooner. One step closer to fork work, tank and handle bars off.
17098609398832731538696655838659.jpg
 
Fork disassembly start today. The Specials have a preload adjuster. These '77 forks have only a cap/plug. Inside is a 38mm preload spacer. I assume I add another 1/2" - 1" spacer on top of that for Minton mods. The fork were clunky and quick to dive under braking. ! leg had ~4.5 oz of tar, the other half that. The springs measure ~473 mm so are 9mm sagged. New OEM style or something else?
 
Big twin makes a replacement 35mm Sportster spring set, this search will find sellers. "24-0905 35mm" They work best with non adjustable (shorter) fork caps. I did some crude sag testing and came up with about 15% stiffer than the stock spring.

Trivia; fork caps for the 77-83 35mm and the 74-76 34mm are the same thread and can be interchanged as a pair.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/compa...tors-and-fork-springs.1655/page-2#post-678063
https://www.xs650.com/threads/fork-dive.55608/#post-608735
https://www.xs650.com/threads/fork-dive.55608/#post-608732
 
Last edited:
Big twin makes a replacement 35mm Sportster spring set, this search will find sellers. "24-0905 35mm" They work best with non adjustable (shorter) fork caps. I did some crude sag testing and came up with about 15% stiffer than the stock spring.

Trivia; fork caps for the 77-83 35mm and the 74-76 34mm are the same thread and can be interchanged as a pair.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/compa...tors-and-fork-springs.1655/page-2#post-678063
https://www.xs650.com/threads/fork-dive.55608/#post-608735
https://www.xs650.com/threads/fork-dive.55608/#post-608732
Sporty springs are 100mm (4+ inches) longer? That seems like a lot of fiddling to get installed.
 
I've installed two pair no problem jusut a bit of pushing as you install the caps. Thought it made for a better fork. I'll ride period piece ole paint see if memory matches current seat feel. Those may be in Minton modded Madness also. :umm:
:twocents:Those stock special forks suck.
I was very pleased with RedBike forks after the Minton Mods, but that is in comparison to the tracker's forks which were really poor. At my riding pace, I like the RedBike very much.
 
I've installed two pair no problem just a bit of pushing as you install the caps. Thought it made for a better fork. I'll ride period piece ole paint see if memory matches current seat feel. Those may be in Minton modded Madness also. :umm:
:twocents:Those stock special forks suck.
I may go with progressive rate springs from 650direct and Minton mods. Better the devil you know...
 
Back
Top