About_Time wrote:
TampaSVT wrote:
Thanks, fellas.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to getting it up out of the basement and see how it rides...



Rich

I hope you don't have to take it apart again to get it out of there

Nah. A 12-pack and a couple of big ole' Virginia buddies, and it'll be on level ground before we know it...


Rich

jd750ace wrote:
Keep posting it! I'm picking up my dad's 650 on the way back to Texas from Maine, albiet nearly a year from now. It is debatable what year it is, because it has 1980 (Special II) side covers, but has points ignition and aluminum wheels. I have heard for years that special II models only had cast wheels, or steel rims, that they had electronic ignition, and even Hitachi carbs! It has none of those. Guess I'll have to sort it out with the VIN.
Anyway, I'm thinking of doing a re-wind project, taking it from "special" spec to resemble more of the classic XS. Get rid of the buckhorn bars, small tank and universal black paint and tank badges. Dual disc front setup, probably keep the 16" rear wheel, since the variety of tires available is pretty much endless.

It needs electronic ignition for good starting. It will get new sprockets and a modern X ring chain, which it will probably never wear out (it has a 530 chain!). It will get sealed wheels for tubeless running, Race Tech front springs amd Gold Valves, and more than likely 13 series Progressive rear shocks, chrome bodies with black springs. It has a king & queen seat cover, but that will get dumped, and it will get a custom made foam block with gel inserts and a more contemporary cover hand made by my good friend Ruben.

Other than that, and good solid lighting, it will get a traditional paint job, and a hell of a cleanup.

Any comments or ideas?

I intend to do a rad job on another bike, (think Road Warrior) but that will probably be a late 90's-early 2000's Honda Shadow (probably 750, but won't rule out an 1100, as long as it is an offset crank motor, so it can pull like hell, instead of just sounding good (single pin 1100's lose about 15-18% of the top end to vibration limited rev ceilings).

That's in the future though, probably my "not over the hill" statement when I hit 50. Right now, the 650 will be the mid-lifer I guess. Is 41 too early for mid-life?
It really is funnyy what a incestuous bunch we are, I have done a couple XS650's. What do you want to do, cafe, street tracker, chop? I have done all the above.

More of a resto-mod than anything else. Like I said, it was my dad's bike, and the more I think about it, the more I think I will do the reliability and performance stuff that does not interfere with the classic lines. It seems like everybody and thier brother is whittling them up. Some are positively beautiful, but a lot of them ( I mean a LOT) are frankenbike crapburgers. I see so many hacked up pieces of crap running around with no front brakes, faulty electrics, stuff just hacked off and thrown away, Ithink you know the type. If somebody thought it looked good with VHT paint or bedliner material on it, they were just too dang lazy and cheap to do it right and they have cheated someome who may actually give a crap out of a chassis!
Don't worry, everyone here will know when I'm orking on it, and I'll probably PM Rich to death!

Thats cool, you do see alot of XS terds. I did a little street tracker few years back, I retained the stock electrics which work well if you keep good points and condenser in it. I also used the NGK Iridium IX which help deliver the juice. I went with Mikuni round slides which really make the bike come alive.



Fun little scoot

Nice work Rich

Nice one Irishman. Simple, sharp, and not over-done. Still speaks to the original lines, with a sporty twist.

Had one in the shop the other day that has been converted to a really nice looking flat tracker. I converted it to electronic ignition for him. The sound is still one of a kind.

Yours looks great.

which kit for the electronic ignition?

Thanks, guys.

jd:
One of the best electronic ignitions for the pre-1980 XS models is called "Pamco".

I put one on mine and it sure beats setting points, brotha...


Rich

I'm aware of the Pamco, just wondering which one scott installed. I'll go Pamco or try out Mriggs' Ford ignition module and GM coil. I still have a lot of time to think it over.