Topic: My next project! Picking it up soon. '72 XS650 with '77 engine

[Tim.]

Figure it will be a couple years in the making.  Will be my first project while I have another bike to ride, which should make it a heck of a lot more fun!

Everything is there, including 2 sets of carbs and another set of forks.  A friend owns it and it was on the road not long ago.

[grumburg]

Biggest bike mistake I ever made was selling my mint 72 650. Enjoy!

[ProTeal55]

My first bike I ever owned/learned to ride on was a 7,000 original mile 1970 650.
Knowing what I know now I should of cafe'ed the hell outta it...

[hoodellyhoo]

that one's on my "bikes to own before I die" list.

Have fun and keep us updated.

[crazypj]

Sign up here for all things XS
http://xs650temp.proboards29.com/index.cgi?
PJ

[bill440cars]

         Hey, good to see another XS650 that's gonna be revived! You can also find some good ideas over at 650motorcycles.com also and, if you don't know, http://www.mikesxs.com/
Hope you're gonna keep us posted on your progress with details and pictures. Catch you later on.

                                                                Bill

[Tim.]

I guess subconsciously I needed 4 cylinders in my life, so this plus the R75/6 fills the void left by my 550F.

[RRRToolSolutions]

I really like and enjoy riding my '73 TX650 which is identical to your XS2. You either love them or hate them . They will never be fast, they vibrate and shake worse than a Harley Sportster, and they don't like rpm. What they do for me is something no other Japanese bike I've ridden does - it takes me back to the 1960's when the Triumphs and BSA's were king. There is nothing modern about mine and I like it that way. They are bullet proof and will pull from 1,200 to 4,000 nicely. If you want your feet, hands, and mirrors to feel the sting - try riding above 4,000 or 65 mph and more.  With stock, original exhaust, they make a mellow tone and it gets as much attention as any of the newer bikes. People just remember them from either having had one or had a friend that did.

Like said above, it's one of those bikes you want before you go.

Regards,
Gordon

[chung]

I have a 1982 model and damn it makes good noise. I can't decide whether to go the Brit Cafe route or the American hardtail thing. DAMN it does make a fine sound, even through the stock pipes.

[6adan]

I worked at a Yamaha dealer in 1971 and he wanted me to trade my CB750 for a XS but I never would.He made me park my bike out back so costumers could not see it.  I would like to have an XS now. I think they would make a great cafe.Dannie

[Slapguts]

Might be my next bike, depending on if the guy who tried to kill me and destroyed my CB400 last weekend's insurance company comes through in time.

[bill440cars]

          Nice looking ride, LOL with that one. Big following for the XS650s out there. There are lots of variations of those and lots of potential too. You can do about anything you want to with them and I believe I've seen them with a displacement of up 900cc, if I remember correctly. I've got a 73' and a 75' that aren't runners and need LOTS of work, myself. I've got the want to, just don't have the $$$$ and the time along with the space, yet. Hope to, someday.

                                                              Later on, Bill

[Roach Carver]

I had a 74 xs 750 a few years back. As previously stated, the vibrations will make your hands numb and horsepower is not all that impressive,BUT it was a ton of fun to ride. The charging system sucked also. when I rode it at night I would kill the light at stop lights

[chrisf]

That was the bike I originally wanted. Your bike looks very good.

--Chris

[Tim.]

Nice bikes - I picked up my tank for the project last night.  Pretty anxious to start working on it (don't have the bike yet!).

[bill440cars]

          Hey tintin,

                     I know this is probably different from what you've got going but, I had to show it anyway.
               

               http://www.650motorcycles.com/AndrewWilson01.jpg

[Tim.]

That's kind of scary actually.  I was out at a friend's house tonight, and was showing him different bikes, and stumbled across that bike - just a couple of hours ago.

Funny thing is it's a CB500T tank.  I've always liked that tank, but like the one I've got better

This is what the tank looks like on a 500K - a local bike here in Toronto that I havent had the pleasure of seeing in person yet.

[bill440cars]

         Oh yeah, the tank you have is a beautiful tank  and I wouldn't even suggest not using it. There are so many different versions and styles of Yamaha 650s over on 650motorcycles.com that it's not even funny. I just think that there are a lot of ideas that could find their way to a lot of different bikes, and look good doing it. I don't have any fancy 650 tanks myself. I've got the tanks that go with my 73' and my 75' along with a vintage fiberglass tank. My 650s are in deplorable shape though. They are down on the list of projects to do (sometime). Also, I do have an old 650 front wheel with drum brakes.

                                                       Later on, Bill