1971/1973/1981 Yamaha Xs650

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

To make it classy. My dads was to make it street legal and safe. I.e. turn signals, mirror, fenders, horn

What motivated you to start your project?

Making my dad come out of bike building retirement to finally build me one.

What was the most unique and creative thing you did to the bike?

Hard to say. It was a blast watching my dad put my sporadic thoughts into a living, breathing piece of artwork. And fun listening to him bitch up a storm at my insistant ideas.

What are you most proud of?

It has been 30+ years since my old man hung it up. Having him come out of retirement for one last build for me means more than words can express. It’ll never leave the family, one day it’ll be my sons bike. And so on and so on.

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

I can’t get gas without being approached. Anywhere from, “hey, that’s the nicest fucking triumph I’ve ever seen”, lol, to “hey man, that thing screams class”.

4 Comments

Emily Clark says:

September 21, 2021 at 11:58 am

It’s nice looking, but honestly it looks like it would be uncomfortable to ride for long periods of time…. For starters the handlebars are way to short and the seat is very low so you will be riding in a c shape and that’s not good on anyone’s back or stomach. Also it looks as though the engine sticks out quit a bit and is too close to your legs so you have to worry about burning them. Also unless you have short legs like me it’s looks like it would be difficult to change and use rear break cause how close they are to seat.

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Salty Dog's Cycle Shop says:

December 26, 2021 at 6:12 am

Sounds like you and the old man had fun and built a nice bike! Excellent color choices, fab work looks good, I love the drum brakes too. I really dig the ole bobber style. Overall I love it, looks like y’all did a great job on everything.

God Bless and enjoy,
Salty

Reply
BT says:

December 26, 2021 at 6:22 pm

Had a ’70 that had an 00000000054 serial #. Rode the snot out of it. Always reliable and fun.Good memories.

Reply
Phil R says:

January 25, 2022 at 6:08 pm

I`m xs650 fanatic myself and I must say the win went to the right bike. Your attn to detail is second to none! Great Build. Congrats.

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Submitted by: Daniel B

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Specifics

Classification: Chopper/Bobber

Make, Model & Year: 1971/1973/1981 Yamaha Xs650

Engine: Yamaha xs650. Boyer brandsen ignition. Pma. Cocktail shakers. Other than that, pretty stock power house.

Intake: Mikuni flat slide carbs from Germany. Tm34’s on a rack. Can’t get them here in the states for some f’d up reason.

Exhaust: Cocktail shakers

Transmission: Factory 5 speed

Frame: Custom made hard tail, by my old man

Suspension: 1971 xs650 stock front end.

Wheels, tires and brakes: Perelli tires. 71′ front wheel(had to have the drum brake with spokes, drove 500 miles one way for it) 81′ rear 16″ spoke wheel. Drum brake as well.

Finish – Paint: House of colors brand paint. Local artist, I call him Paint Dave, from bernville pa. Hell of a guy. Colors turned out just how I imagined. Powder coated frame, candy apple root beer.

Accessories: Coke bottle brown grips. Sportster headlight. Sweet copper toned leather seat from mother road customs. Old man made the front fender. Rear fender is tc bros.