1980 Yamaha XS 650

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

to build a unique one-off bobber, different from what you typically see. each time i built something i tried to design it differently for the standard design.

What motivated you to start your project?

therapy to get me through winter months

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

• Custom handlebars and bracket held together with Ford model A connecting rods
• Stainless steel thermos used for wiring harness and speedo housing made from a tin cup.
• Custom made copper top end oil line feeds
• Old linesmen’s belt used for battery hold down.
• Mounted Vintage bottle opener on hardtail
• Skeleton Key ignition
• Modified side covers for a one-off look
• Used original rear brake bracket and old grinding wheel dresser to build suicide shifter
• Built cantilever springer seat from original foot peg brackets for a unique design.
• Custom license plate bracket
• Copper headlight bucket
• customized a purchased fender for an old school look
• replaced all bolts and fasteners with stainless

What are you most proud of?

• Utilized V6 valve covers from a 60’s era jeep to fabricate a unique 2.5 gallon gas tank. All brass water valve to build petcock and a diesel fuel cap on a threaded 2 in nipple to feed it.

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

Way Too Cool

2 Comments

Ron kubel says:

March 12, 2021 at 4:18 pm

true garage build nice, build with what u got

Reply
Jim says:

December 1, 2023 at 8:41 pm

This bike is just too much, nice job!

Reply

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Submitted by: Rudy C

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Specifics

Make, Model & Year: 1980 Yamaha XS 650

Time spent: 8 month build … worked on it in my free time

Motorcycle cost: $1250.00

Money spent: $3500.00

Engine: stock rebuilt & refinished 1980 XS 650

Intake: 2 BS-38 mikuni carbs

Exhaust: Modified 2 into 1 exhaust

Transmission: 5 speed

Frame: • Custom built hardtail. • Hardtail stretched 5 inches and hand built springer pushes front wheel fwd another 5 inches increasing wheelbase 10” overall • Lowered frame 2 inches

Suspension: Utilized original rear shocks along with Ford model A and model T connecting rods to build a custom springer front end.

Wheels, tires and brakes: • Re-laced both wheels with stainless spokes and increased rear from 16” to 18” shinko vintage tires, 19″ front and 18″rear

Finish – Paint: • Powder coated Frame, engine side cases, front end, foot pegs, kicker pedal and lots of brackets • all Painting was completed by me. tank, fender, shocks and countless small parts

Accessories: • 40’s era Packard running light modified for brake light • Leather strips used to create handgrips • Rebar used to fabricate foot pegs, shifter bar and kicker pedal