Earz's new build

[earz]

Welcome to my new project. It's a 1979 Yamaha XS650. Once the Maxim sold, I picked this thing up from the shop we all know and love - Tergin Motorsports. It was a bike that had been left by an ungrateful dead beat customer who had racked up a hefty bill and decided to disappear - despite the bike needing more work to get it running. Still have to get the title straightened out, but it's mine. Muwaahaahaa.

I actually don't have any pics of it yet, and I need to put the tank and seat and side panels back on to snap some pics for before-n-after shots.

This build is going to be quite a bit more drastic than the little dabbling I did on the Maxim. I've been gathering parts and pieces that I will need to create my vision. This is the bike that inspired me. (clicky for more pics)



Keep in mind, that was built by a professional builder that has waayyy better fabrication tools and skills than I've got, but I'm going towards the same direction.

I picked up an almost complete parts bike as well as 1.5 spare engines for free. I also gathered a few other things that I'll eventually need. I've been using parts off the free bike to make some trades with some guys online for parts that will fit my build.

My modification list includes:
Elswick cycles drop seat hardtail
21" front spoked wheel
21" rear spoked wheel with disc brake
Leaf spring seat
Headlight/speedo from a 60's Bridgestone motorcycle
Permanent magnet charging system
Pamco electronic ignition
VM34 roundslide carbs
Cross drilled rotors
Left side front brake
Shaved fork legs
Fuel tank from ?? (still trying to find that special tank)

I'll keep you all posted as I progress. I'll try to get some stock pics up soon.

[earz]

My first modification to this thing was to remove the broken/busted turn signals.

The next thing was to refurbish this old speedometer that I got off an old Bridgestone motorcycle. The speedo is made into the headlight bucket. I'm gonna run this thing when the time comes.

Of course, I didn't take any pics of it before (I'm bad about just jumping in before I document this stuff). Here's what the stock gauge looked like (minus the housing, glass, etc)



here's how it looks now




big thanks to Captain for suggesting something other than the numbers.

[fallout]

Looks very promising. If you need any help looking at your after pictures, let me know.

[FudogNinja]

Thats awesome! I love the guage too! When you get that thing built you have got to let me take some photographs!

[earz]

Sounds good - it's got a long way to go though. I'm gonna try to get most of it done this winter. Here's some stock pics.

[desmo2]

^^

Picture hosting fail.

[FalxZZR]

Yes picture fail.

Also good work man, if you can get your bike even close to the pictured one it will be pretty sick!

[Pegasus1]

Looks good so far, and good luck with the project. Let me know if there is anything that I can help you with.

[Jarvicious]

Build Porn!!!!!

Gotta love those old XS's. What kinda tank are you looking for? With the top line of the bike sloping down it may look cool with a similar tank, but then again it may make it look like an OCC monster. Keep us posted.

Oh, and are you doing the seat pan yourself? I've been wanting to get into glassing so let me know if you're going that route.

[earz]

I'll be doing a steel seat pan for a number of reasons

1) it will be mounted on a small leaf spring to make it look like the seat is just hovering
2) my mental plan incorporates a removeable backrest to make some of the longer rides more comfortable
3) fiberglass is some stinky shit!!

If it were going to be mounted directly to the frame, I'd be all about it though. Best fitting pan you can get is made of glass.

As far as the tank goes, I'm still searching. The sportster style and wassel style tanks have been overplayed on the xs's. I've got a cl360 tank and a kz305 tank that I'm considering, but still unsure.