Bike rebuild help

[edmondcop450]

I'm finally getting my bike back together after being apart for more than 2 years. New marriage, new house, etc. were priorities but my lovely wife has told me I can get back to my hobbies.
My bike is an '81 standard, which had about 26,000 miles on it when I tore it apart. From the looks of the bike it wasn't taken care of that well. I'm not looking to build a drag bike or track bike. I am just looking to build a nice mild custom that is good for mainly around town and the occasional short trip.
Since this is my first effort at a complete rebuild of any kind of vehicle, I was wondering what parts you all recommend be replaced for safety/durability's sake? All the bearings in the motor look good, and the cylinder walls are smooth. The carbs were leaking into the airbox. All the electrical systems seemed to be working ok, but I will probably go with the DIY fuse block in the mods section. I'm also going with Chop's chain drive conversion.
Again I'm just wondering what parts I should look at replacing without question, and what I should look at replacing due to excess wear. Thanks for all your help, fellers.

[DiverRay]

I would just go ahead and rewire the bike. Replace ALL the connectors, and all new wires. Geezer has almost all the connectors and crimp tool, and they work well. Next would be wheel bearings, steering stem bearings, rebuild ALL brake parts and replace rubber lines with new SS lines. Inspect the steering stem bearings, and replace only if you have ANY pits in the race.
Do the second gear fix NOW so you don't have to go in later. Once you are done with all of this, just RIDE IT HARD for the next 100,000 miles!

[planedick]

Chain????

Why would you want to go to all that effort to do the chain drive mod just for getting around town? I think that the drive line is much more reliable than the chain and I never could understand why anyone would want to go back to a chain anyway. All you're doing is adding something that's proven to be unreliable and needs more maintenance.

[edmondcop450]

I just like the look of the wider back tire.

[BLUEJEEPLAB]

I just like the look of the wider tire

No better reason needed. Make YOUR bike YOUR own. It's all about what makes you grin when you own an XS. Yeah, it's a lot of work, but....

[AlanB]

Hi Guys,

I have a 150 on both my special(16") and my roadbike(17")..... both still shaft.

The hardtail has a 200/15 in there...... but that is a different story!

AlanB

[DJinNH]

Originally posted by edmondcop450
I just like the look of the wider back tire.

Personally....I love that look.

Don