Author Topic: I want to build a parallel twin - opinions ? (Read 2799 times)

greenjeans · « **on:** October 13, 2011, 01:17:56 PM »

Looking to build me a twin. A buddy of mine has a Kawasaki 750 Honda makes the CB450 ?

Looking to stay in the 70's. Wire wheels.

Any opinions on what to look for ?

CycleRanger · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2011, 01:24:43 PM »

The Yamaha XS650's seem to be pretty popular.
You could always go 2-stroke and look at a Yamaha RD.
Personally I have a soft spot for the Honda 350-360T's, but they may be too small.

kirkn · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2011, 01:29:04 PM »

Two cylinders. Arranged in a parallel arrangement. That is, not in a V or in a boxer layout. Spoke wheels.

Seriously, though, the choices are many many!

Honda made twins in a zillion different displacements from tiny up through the 450/500 models.

Yamaha made 360, 400, 500, 650 and 750 twins.

Kawasaki has the 400 and 750 twins.

Suzuki made a 400 twin, but later into the 'mag wheel' era - late 70s early 80s.

And those are just the Japanese four-stroke twins. If you're into two-strokes, or Europeans, we need to start over on the list...

If you're wanting to build a straightforward ride, the Yamaha XS650 is probably the best starting canvas. Huge aftermarket support and huge numbers of customs out there for "inspiration", although that can be a drawback, too - that is, whatever you do has almost certainly been done a zillion times by others on an XS650.

Good luck, whichever way you go.

Kirk

*edit* - Yamaha made the RD series, not Suzuki. Legends...

CycleRanger · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2011, 01:37:59 PM »

Quote from: kirkn on October 13, 2011, 01:29:04 PM

*edit* - Yamaha made the RD series, not Suzuki. Legends...

Duh, yeah, I should know that, I had one.

kirkn · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2011, 01:45:33 PM »

Come to think of it though, I'd seriously consider one from the early 80s. This was the zenith, evolution-wise, of the parallel twin. All the Japanese had quite a few models to choose from, and they have the benefit of counterbalancers and electronic ignitions right from the factory, and better brakes and better suspension and better lighting and and and...

BUT, only a few models (the 'stripper' models, usually) with wire wheels. Usually with a throwback drum front brake and electric-start-deleted.

Choices choices...

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2011, 03:58:29 PM »

XS650, the best bike that i have never owned....But there's still time.....

jweeks · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2011, 06:52:54 PM »

Any thoughts using the Suzuki Tempter motor in a 400/450 frame? It's a long stroke motor that can be modified with a lot larger bore. Toss on the Canadian 4 valve cylinder head and it can really move. Suzuki still has parts for the 500 twins at all the dealers. From the 70's to today, they all bolt up to the frames the same.

Hondamatic

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2011, 11:28:42 AM »

XS650 by far the best choice. A friend has an 82 KZ750 for sale with wire wheel, too bad your far away. The KZ was smooth due to the balancer but I thought it a harder bike to work on compared to the XS just because of the design. IMO the XS650 wins in every category. Parts availability, good looks, reliability, and ease of maintenance. I have owned one for 32 years.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2011, 11:49:29 AM »

Yeah I found out my old boss still has a '76 XS650 he rode in college. It's been parked for the last 20 years in his garage.
He says it still turns over freely but the gas tank is probably toast.
I've been trying to convince him he'll never get around to fixing it back up and should just sell it to me.

I'm going to look at a '76 CJ360T this weekend...

kirkn · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2011, 12:08:04 PM »

I ride a '75 CB360T that my older brother bought brand new! It's been back and forth amongst brothers, dad, nephew, etc. and now is back with me. Lotta fun, but a real paint shaker. Everywhere you touch it - bars, seat, footpegs. Sigh.

KB02 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2011, 12:52:28 PM »

I know you're looking to stay in the 70's, but if you happen to come across a Kawasaki W650 for sale for a good price, they are a heck of a great platform to build off of as well.

greenjeans · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2011, 04:41:55 PM »

Thanks guys -
Never seen a Kaw W650 before. Gonna start looking and see what I can turn up.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2011, 06:39:00 PM »

Quote from: KB02 on October 14, 2011, 12:52:28 PM

I know you're looking to stay in the 70's, but if you happen to come across a Kawasaki W650 for sale for a good price, they are a heck of a great platform to build off of as well.

The new ones are actually 800cc

Danno · « **Reply #13 on:** October 19, 2011, 09:43:55 PM »

the 450 night hawk is touted as the funnest bike honda ever made my brother has one and I have to say they really are a lot of fun to ride the only complaint I had was the seat was not very comfortable after about 200miles

BAchvytrk · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2011, 11:11:15 AM »

the xs650 are cool bikes to build, lots of parts available, simple to work on, sound good. Factory charging systems are weak on them, esp the 70's models with the points. The def vibrate alot due to the crank not being opposed. If you do some research you can still get opposed cranks, of course the cams need to be changed. this is how guys would build these for flat track and such. they sound really cool with those mods done. My next twin build will be a suzuki tempter

1stgenxxx · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2011, 09:46:46 AM »

A guy here in NC rephases the xs650 cranks and build upgraded charging systems for them. He knows his #$%*
http://hughshandbuilt.blogspot.com/

kpier883 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 25, 2011, 08:49:15 PM »

Nice sounding twin:

1957 John Deere 420

Tugboat · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2011, 03:09:07 PM »

W650's are awesome. A buddy of mine bought one from a restaurant that was using it as a display piece. Someone knocked it over at some point (VERY minor damage, like scraped peg or something) and he ended up buying it for $3k. It had 100 miles on it. I think he's put over 10k on it in the past three years.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2011, 04:49:18 PM »

I saw three of them at the Harvest Classic last weekend.
I want one!

Tim. · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2011, 06:30:19 AM »

I'm just embarking on rephasing my XS650, a Web Cam mild grind, ported head... going to be a nice improvement. XS is a great platform, and the mid 70's wire wheels are nice flanged alloy rims.

KB02 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 03, 2011, 07:15:35 AM »

Quote from: kpier883 on October 25, 2011, 08:49:15 PM

Nice sounding twin:

1957 John Deere 420

As soon as I saw that hood and heard the engine pop off I said, "Yup! That's a 420!." (then I looked and saw the caption under the video...

) My Dad has an old 420 Crawler that he still has in active use for logging.

kpier883 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 05, 2011, 03:34:10 PM »

There are two 420 wheel tractors in my family, a 4 speed and a 5 speed. Not sure of the years. Those engines have torque! I pulled logs out of the woods with one during Christmas school break and my brother ran the other. One time I hooked to a large pine tree and couldn't get it started off because the tractor kept wheelying. I think I was about 12 or 13. My uncle got on it, told my brother, my Dad and I to stand on the front axle and he wheely/walked it out of the woods with us hanging on the front to help hold the front down. OSHA would not have approved. The 70's...

faux fiddy · « **Reply #22 on:** November 07, 2011, 08:59:14 AM »

Has title and spare motor.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/mcy/2653124115.html

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Author Topic: I want to build a parallel twin - opinions ? (Read 2799 times)