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old skool bike/chopper kits???

Here's one we built using a Red Neck Engineering bobber chassis for an Early Carb'd Buell

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Well,patience pays off.I just picked up an '81 XS650 today.8)
Ended up paying $900 but,around here,that's a pretty good deal.Now I have something to ride this summer and my project for the winter."thumbsup"
Here's a couple of pics from my brothers phone.

You suck Pat!
 
That 81 looks to be in pretty good shape, I'd say that was a pretty fair price just looking at it...as long as it runs decent as well. Unless we happen to find an XS650 pretty cheap around here, the wife and I decided to just save our money (and effort) and pick up a used Honda VTX1300C this fall when everyone is selling their bikes off for the season.
 
I found a couple really nice kikkers on cl for under a grand so I asked the owners why they were parting with them... turns out Il passed new laws that make them illegal on the street.
 
ok, so here is a question, how weel would an XS650 handle toting a big guy? i have seen a few of those around here thruogh the years, and keep thinking they would make a decent first motorcycle.

but the fact they are only 650, and i am a big guy, kind of worry me as far as it having enough power to handle me...

any thoughts?
 
ok, so here is a question, how weel would an XS650 handle toting a big guy? i have seen a few of those around here thruogh the years, and keep thinking they would make a decent first motorcycle.

but the fact they are only 650, and i am a big guy, kind of worry me as far as it having enough power to handle me...

any thoughts?

As long as you aren't looking to pull 10 sec 1/4's you'll be fine :ror:

Even a slow 650 is going to be able to pull you around faster than most cars. It's plenty of power. Suspension might be a little soft but that would be my only concern.
 
As long as you aren't looking to pull 10 sec 1/4's you'll be fine :ror:

Even a slow 650 is going to be able to pull you around faster than most cars. It's plenty of power. Suspension might be a little soft but that would be my only concern.

well, after looking around, i want one to build a hardtail, anyway....8)

then i wouldn't have to worry about soft supension, and i could probabally lower my seat height with that to make things easier on my short, little, dumpy legs!!!!:lmao:
 
That 81 looks to be in pretty good shape, I'd say that was a pretty fair price just looking at it...as long as it runs decent as well. Unless we happen to find an XS650 pretty cheap around here, the wife and I decided to just save our money (and effort) and pick up a used Honda VTX1300C this fall when everyone is selling their bikes off for the season.


It's in surprisingly nice shape.No rips,dents or scratches and,only 18,000 miles.It'll run better after I get the old gas out of it.It just needs some cleaning.
 
ok, so here is a question, how weel would an XS650 handle toting a big guy? i have seen a few of those around here thruogh the years, and keep thinking they would make a decent first motorcycle.

but the fact they are only 650, and i am a big guy, kind of worry me as far as it having enough power to handle me...

any thoughts?

650's have a tendency to get riders into more trouble that litre bikes, mostly because they underestimate them and end up wrapping them around a tree somewhere. That's the reason why around here you see more rebuilt CBR600, R6, and Gixxer 600's than Hayabusas and R1's. People at least know the Busa's and R1's are insane so they halfway respect them (most of the time).

I remember when I first rebuilt my old Honda Nighthawk CB650, it didn't run for shit when I first got it, but once I rebuilt the carbs it suprised the shit out of me. I'm a big guy (6'4", 280lbs at the time) and it hauled my ass around with absolutely no problem. I rode two-up a couple times with a combined weight of close to 400lbs between me and the girl and it still handled fine. Like Harley mentioned though, the suspension did bottom out from time to time, but nowadays you can pick up a set of progressive shocks that will handle the extra load of a bigger guy.
 
ok, one more question, so please bear with me...

is there any major difference between a Yamaha XS and a Virago?

so far the only big difference i can see is that a virago seems to be trying more to look like a harley than an XS is. any input for any of you guys?

and were there any reliability issues with the Viragos?? or did they share a lot of components with the XS's?
 
ok, one more question, so please bear with me...

is there any major difference between a Yamaha XS and a Virago?

so far the only big difference i can see is that a virago seems to be trying more to look like a harley than an XS is. any input for any of you guys?

and were there any reliability issues with the Viragos?? or did they share a lot of components with the XS's?


I think you'll have a harder time finding custom parts for the older Virago's.Also,if I remember correctly,the engine acts as part of the frame on them.Might make it harder to hardtail it.
 
I think you'll have a harder time finding custom parts for the older Virago's.Also,if I remember correctly,the engine acts as part of the frame on them.Might make it harder to hardtail it.

ahhh, ok. thanks for the input! "thumbsup"

so if i were to want one for customizing i'd want and XS over a Virago...
 
Well, pretty much any older bike like that, you're going to have a hard time finding custom parts made specifically for that bike. Your best bet is to look around on the bike specific forums to see what others have used from other bikes or what they've had to fab up on their own. It might be a bit of a hassle to some, but to me that's part of the fun.
 
Well,did anyone else get one yet?
Haven't had much of a chance to ride mine yet.Having charging issues.Need to get a rotor.Then I should be able to get some seat time.

Oh,and Kenny,you didn't give me that link.:flipoff::lmao:
I saw one in "The Horse" a couple of years ago.Been checking them out since then.Just decided that this was the year to quit looking and make something happen.Quitting drinking had some great side effects (more money)."thumbsup"
 
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Well,did anyone else get one yet?
Haven't had much of a chance to ride mine yet.Having charging issues.Need to get a rotor.Then I should be able to get some seat time.

Oh,and Kenny,you didn't give me that link.:flipoff::lmao:
I saw one in "The Horse" a couple of years ago.Been checking them out since then.Just decided that this was the year to quit looking and make something happen.Quitting drinking had some great side effects (more money)."thumbsup"
Link? XS650.com? Remind me!:ror:
 
my father wrecked his bike a few months ago during bike week here in AZ. its a 90 fatboy gray ghost. only 4400 made. i am the new owner of this bike so of course, time for a rebuild. the motor had 92k on it and was about toast. the right side had major damage due to hitting a guard rail but the bike wasnt dropped so most of the bike was still in great condition minus the right side running board, foot brake, pipes, and carb.

i wanted to keep the numbers matching so i contacted HD. and they had me send in the motor to them. i got the new motor back with matching number (stoked on that)

while pulling everything apart... i found a MESS. pretty sure the bearing in the tree had never seen grease. the wiring harness looked like rats had chewed on the entire thing. the tranny had a few chewed up gears. its been a mess but a FUN last 3 weeks.

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Is that yours in your advatar pict?


Don't I wish.:mrgreen:
It's this one.I just really like the looks of it.Saw it last year in "The Horse".It's actually the one that REALLY got me wanting to do one.

Edit: Added pic.
 

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XS650s are a great choice for building a bike. Best thing is parts are abundantly available and it looks every bit like a old Triumph. (Except the triumph needs more maintenance to keep it running regularly)

Check out http://www.mikesxs.net for parts.

Had an '80 that I never finished up, but my brother has it apart in his garage now.
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Just picked this up yesterday in Chicago:
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1948 Harley WL Flathead
 
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