Thread: bobber project, take 2: '79 XS650

done deal.





i already have a seat to replace the junky one that's on there. i will also see about replacing the brake and shift lever with the nicer units i've got.

it's currently kick-only with a magneto setup (no battery). while it's 100% badass and keeps everything clean, i'm either going to have to figure out a way to get it to kick start easier, or go the gym. it's a ***** to start.

either way, this is a great base for me to start with and it's super fun to ride.

CB750 is getting parted out...

congrats on the new ride and best of luck!!!

i have plans for that tank

keep the ideas rolling, dude. the tank and the side covers that are currently painted like eyeballs...those will match.

youre going to hate me for how much/ big metal flake i want to use.

looks loud

It is.

Whats your plans for it

plans are to clean it up, put a few of my own parts on it and ride it.

i think it needs a longer exhaust for sure. i'll put my seat on it that i already have and that'll look nicer almost immediately. i'm also gonna see if i can get the velocity stacks i have to work on these carbs. then i'll probably see if the controls i have work (the front brake and clutch). i am unsure if i want to put the drag bars i have on, i almost need the height of the bars that are on it right now so i can hold on.

i need to educate myself more about the ignition system and see what i can and cannot do with it. it's a magneto setup, so it runs batteryless and is kick start only right now. i like it a lot how it is.

my step brother has a dirt bike (with a kick start) and from what we gathered you can adjust the stater. what we did is replaced the coil wire and put the correct plug in it. so if its hard to start you may have to adjust your stater.

i may just be a narrow minded person who isn't really that familiar with kick starting a bike with a fairly larger CC motor.

i learned a few things about kick starting just reading the interwebs, so i'll see what i can figure out before i take it apart. the guy i bought it from could start it no problem and i started it the first time i took it out so i know i can do it...

Nice bike. I know a guy from another forum that does nothing except work on these XS bikes. I got to go see his shop when I was in NC last December and he makes some pretty slick stuff. He certainly has a wealth of knowledge about these bikes. Of course, spending much time on his site might convince you to go for more power instead of just riding it.

Hughs HandBuilt · Custom Motorcycle Shop in the High Country of NC

nice, another site that sells parts i want. haha.

seems like these bikes have more aftermarket than a lot of other things...

side note: when you kick the bike over on the compression stroke from TDC it starts like a champ.

Duh.

go back to your huffy.

*Schwinn.

new seat:



also popped off the side covers and as i was thinking it's still got the stock points and mechanical timing advance. the mechanical advance isn't springing back to position like it's supposed to make it not run correctly. going to look into replacing both the points and the advance units with electronic versions. the bike will then be way easier to start and it'll run better. whoo whoo.