Comments on: XS650 Cafe Racer and Street Tracker Conversions

By: david

david — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:48:57 +0000

Phoebe, with just small amount of work and investmenting about 2k over the cost of the bike, you’ll have a bike thats exclusively YOURS and one that will run circles around your Blast, promise!! Here’s a start on that 2k, allowing that you do your own work. But nothing here is difficult at all, really.
1) Bronze swing arm bushings
2) Fork brace, service fork oil, possibly build 10mm preload spacers to stiffen up forks
3) Progressive Series 12/13 shocks, I would go 1 inch longer than stock to quicken the streering up a bit.
4) Mikuni carb kit and Boyer ignition kit form http://www.650motorcycles.
5) Either a set of pipes from Jemco or Omar’s.
6) Fresh rubber, brake pads, braided front brake line, Motul brake fluid.
6) Fresh 520 chain and sproket conversion kit.
7) Set of lower bars and decent grips.

Later, if you want to really have a runner, build yourself a rephased big-bore….you already have the carbs, pipe and ignition, just slip on 750 top end, cam it, new clutch plates, valve springs, rephased crank and viola’, and TOTALLY new unit…but beware, you better hold on……

By: miker

miker — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:23:06 +0000

I’ve had a 73, a 77, and an 81 Special. I think any XS is a great bike to play with, tho there were some handling issues with the pre-74’s. There’s a lot of detail variance over the years but most stuff mixes-n-matches well.

As other posters indicate, the motor is superb; tough, compact, and torquey. There is moderate vibration at some speeds that may irritate on extended trips.

For an economical one-bike classic garage, you could do a lot worse than the XS650.

miker

By: XS650 CHOPPER.com

XS650 CHOPPER.com — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:59:18 +0000

Richard at Mule Built those sick street tractors over five years ago. Anybody into XS650s have seen the mule bikes plenty of time. "the problem is many have been hacked and chopped into some unfortunate mess" The FUN of hacking and chopping up the xs650 is what makes the bike so attractive. Over a quarter million XS650s in 40 different variations were produced by Yamaha between 1970 and 1985. The XS650 big twin, in America and worldwide has developed a cult following for good reason. Tough durability, classic look and abundance of cheap parts make the XS650 the perfect platform to build a KILLER Chopper.

By: Bob C

Bob C — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:33:31 +0000

Brian
You got your wish! I work for BUB Enterprises and we are making a limited production run of our 2 into 2 system for the Yamaha XS 650. Anyone who is interested a set of these pipes can contact BUB Enterprises at 530-477-7490 for more information.
Regards
Robert

By: Zack

Zack — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:59:05 +0000

hi all, yes it is nice indeed, but when i go through specs of bike why fuel consumption is always missing? i mean wat will be the Km/Lt of this bike???