want some feed back on my project

[jaindl]

i was originally looking for a suzuki gs650, the guy wouldnt sell it. then he showed me the twins.. sitting in a 6x8 garden shed for 6 years, got both for 800 bucks... had the 81 running within 3 hours, lotsa carb cleaner and a box of pilsner for me havent evn tried the 80 yet its got a grinding noise in the gearbox, maybe someday ill dig into it

[Brad]

haha i knew id get some guff about choppin the bike. Too bad i started a week ago. my story is the same as nightengales, so similar i had to laugh.. just a case of me not knowing what i had. as far as chopping goes it will be minimal, keeping the rear suspension, cutting from the shock mount back then adding a full rear fender and modern looking fender strut and rigid mounted solo seat. then turning the front fender about 6 inches to make the front plumb with the frnt axle. i was debating going hardtail, then i put a solid strut in place of the shock and went for a ride.. and that will be the last time i ever think of a rigid frame. haha roads aint that good up north eh.

Our neck of the woods, yeah.....its your bike, not an eldery Oriental man whos sure determination and expertise in the motorcycle field dreamed up in 1975 (whenever). Or maybe, he just had the final say at that point in time on how to make Yamaha MONEY. Do what you want and be thankful that we all have an excellent donar machine well ahead of its time. I ofter wonder how many have a 72 Corolla as their pride and joy.

[Joab]

Dont mean to give you any guff on chopping it, talking about putting a torch to a XS2 650 has gotten me some heat as well I just find it ironic that as everyone is slimming down these touring bikes to bobber/choppers, I am trying to build up my Special for distance runs!

[Nightengale]

not ridden yet

Nice job Nitengale, I think that looks great. Theres a few other members on here who prefer stock, those are ok too. How does it ride at speed with the rake and trail changed?

i havent ridden the bike as its set up now, i am waiting until its all finished to ride. as far as rake goes there is none, and the rear is just a little lower than stock so i dont think it should ride much different than stock (as far as rake and trail are concerned) other than being able to feel all of the bumps in the road.

[crazy steve]

....I was debating going hardtail, then I put a solid strut in place of the shock and went for a ride.. and that will be the last time I ever think of a rigid frame. haha roads aint that good up north eh.

I don't think they're that good anywhere.....

[Haarstad]

i am also thinking about adding this to be better seen and add turn signals, and stay hidden at the same time

it acts as a brake light and has turn signals on each end. and attaches to the underside of the fender

what is the exact name of this light, or the link to where the picture is?

[Nightengale]

ghost rider customs

what is the exact name of this light, or the link to where the picture is?

look up ghost rider customs, then under choppers and bobbers you will see it there.

[Nightengale]

speedo and key switch replacement

got a few things done today. i recentlly was given a gauge cluster from a special, form GloweVA (george). i was going to try to modify the mounting bracket so that i could just use the speedo centered on the triple tree. but as luck will have it i tried numerous ways, and just couldnt get it to fit the way i wanted. my brother had a 2 inch gauge that he had and i tried it and since i have removed the key switch it fit perfect where the key switch was. I made a custom bracket, and installed it to the holes for the key switch, then mounted the speedo. i did have to modify the back of my head light so that the speedo cable would fit right. i also had to modify the right hand side of the light so that the new switch would fit for the replacement of the key switch.



front view.


the new switch on the right headlight ear


modification to headlight for switch


modification to rear of headlight for speedo cable


i am glad i got to meet a fellow xs'er this weekend and get to meet the "green monster" .

[crazy steve]

The only bad thing about that custom speedo is it calibrated for the Yamaha speedo drive? If it's a Harley bit, it's going to be way the h**l off... by about 30%

[Nightengale]

The only bad thing about that custom speedo is it calibrated for the Yamaha speedo drive? If it's a Harley bit, it's going to be way the h**l off... by about 30%

its not from a harley its one my brother bought off of ebay that is a 2:1 for a 19inch tire. I know that it is not exactly the same i know, i have read on here somewhere that ours has a ration not to far off from that. i will have to see.
and if it doesnt work i at least know the size of what i need to make it fit.

[crazy steve]

2:1 is a Harley ratio.... You need 2.9:1......

[Nightengale]

2:1 is a Harley ratio.... You need 2.9:1......

i have this one
http://www.mikesxs.net/product/03-0751.html
it says it will work with the xs650 and from what i have read that the 650 gauges will work on our bikes. but i could be wrong.

[crazy steve]

Mikes has been selling those 2:1 speedos for years, but he doesn't tell you they're accurate....

Yes, the 650 shares the same speedo ratio with the 1100.... but it ain't 2:1...

[Nightengale]

Mikes has been selling those 2:1 speedos for years, but he doesn't tell you they're accurate....

Yes, the 650 shares the same speedo ratio with the 1100.... but it ain't 2:1...

does anyone make a mini speedo with the right ratio?? or can you change the speedo gear drive on the xs to a 2:1 drive??

[Nightengale]

fixin mods to headlight

this afternoon was spent sanding and repainting the headlight bucket from where i had to modify it to fit with the single gauge and the new on off switch instead of the key switch. i will post pics tuesday.