My XS 650 Cafe

Jack · Full Member Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 411

I don't think this would be considered a Cafe racer but it's the format of which I want my XS to follow Mr. Green

The upgrades would consist of Dunstall mufflers with a slight up sweep , a back fender of some sort,disc brake in the front,much sportier gun fighter seat,18 inch front wheel for quicker steering and back,along with a Radian boxed style swing arm for added strength. The handle bars would be my all time favorite BMW R/90s,they give a slight leaned over position but give greater amount of control........Jack

Wulf · Posted: March 19, 2005, 3:00 am Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

I think I've asked you this before but I haven't gotten an answer in reference to "along with a Radian boxed style swing arm for added strength". Are you refering to a Yamaha YX 600 Radian swingarm?
I ask because I own 2 of them and will the swingarm mount to the xs650?
Wulf

Jack · Full Member Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 411

Wolf........Yes that's the one and you can reuse the original pivot bolt or purchased the hefftier one from Mikes XS. It's about 1 inch longer ,so a replcement chain will be in order and the rear axle bolt will need relacing also cause the radian uses a 17mm,while the XS uses a 20mm axle. NOw for this you can either serach the yards or have one custom made for about $55.00,which isn't a bad price to me. Now the shock mounting points are 1" further towards the back and if you used the exsisting shocks ,it'll drop the back section down and would most likely to some degree effect the steering cause your altering the steering rake geometry to slow down. So to correct this,most are installing shock lenghts of atleast 13.5 or 14 " in lenght. You'll also need to drill out the axle adjuster slots in the arm and the adjusters themselves to 20mm................Jack Wink

Wulf · Posted: March 19, 2005, 11:23 am Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

Hey Jack, that's what I was interested in finding out. The extra length on the chain is no big issue since I was going to be buying a new one soon anyway. I understand about the increase in the rake since the back end would be dropping but since I'm not looking to build a tracker with this bike but more of a custom then I don't think this would be a major issue. I was going to be changing the rear shocks to HD sportster shocks which are about an inch shorter than stock. If I do that with the radian swing arm then it would probably drop 2 inches in the rear. I have another bike that has mag rims that I was thinking about using but the front tire is an 18" and the stock 650 is 19". If I use the 18" tire on the front then my net effect rake wise would still be the same as if I just used the HD shocks and the stock arm. Does this sound correct? In other words:
bike as stock rake = x
use HD shocks drops rear 1" now rake =y
use HD shocks and radian arm now rake =z
use HD shocks, radian arm, 18" front tire rake back to = y

Does this make sense? Let me know what you think.
Wulf

Jack · Full Member Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 411

Here's a few parts I picked up from Ebay,86 Suzuki GSXR forks 41mm,Yamaha RZ 350 rear wheel,Radian swing arm,and a Suzuki 450E gas tank. There's alot of work ahead of me ,in order to complete this project and it'll be challenging to the least in testing my skills to complete this.......We'll see Mr. Green

.............Jack

Jack · Full Member Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 411

I forgot to add that there was a hugh savings in unsprung weight by 12 lbs on the rear wheel, 7 lbs in the front end and one lb in the tank. The front wheel is put on hold for the moment due to the need of having a custom steering head designed by 50Gary from proboards. My goal is to achieve a bike weigh in of 365 lbs or less,a wheel base of 55 inches and a rake of 25 degrees,in order to flick this XS through the curves to suit my style of riding. This is my first custom motorcycle,so it'll be interesting to see how it turns out Mr. Green

..........Jack

sportydriver · Posted: July 11, 2005, 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

What mods did you have to do to get the GSXR triple tree to work on the Yamaha frame?

Jack · Full Member Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 411

I'm having a new streering head custom made cuz the GSXR stem in shorter,the bottom bearing is larger and the top is same size as XS but with a taller race and cage. So it's mig time but the overall weigh savings is worth the frustrations Mr. Green

...Jack

jfboy · Posted: October 27, 2005, 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

has anybody ever tried to fit an R6-r1-fz1-fz6 TRIPLES on a XS650?

Jack · Full Member Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 411

50gary from proboards is using the R6,complete front section and you must custom make a steering head for the R6 stem........Jack

650rider · WebMaster Joined: Feb 09, 2005 Posts: 431

How's it going jack, what about a new photo of the project?

Phred · Posted: October 29, 2005, 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

Hey Jack, are you going to have any problem registering your bike with a new neck? I ask because the serial # on my '75 is stamped on the neck, and depending on your state laws, removing/altering this number can cause huge problems.

Something to think about before it's too late......

Jack · Full Member Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 411

Russo, Sorry but there are no updated pictures of my project cuz I've been modifing Dawyne Burges flat track head in the past several months and I gotta tell,this'll be my last flat track head,with the exception of my personal head. It's just to damn time consuming in an effort to pick the low lift flow #s up for the Shell# 1 grind. Can't list any details of the mods,as it's Dawynes head but it'll really wake a 750 up with tons of torque comimg out of the turns. Just hope he can plant the rubber....Jack

Phred........ now why did ya have to bring up those dang state legalities of red tape to register a custom bike. ArrrArrrrr. My intensions are to cut out the original VM # and weld it on the new steering head as i doubt they'll ask if your motorcycles been altered in any fashion, besides the 75 was purcahsed from Tenn. and I believe the original owner modified it before i purchased it. Get It......................jack

Phred · Posted: October 30, 2005, 10:51 pm Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

Jack...I know what kind of tricks can be done-my home-built frame will utilize the original neck (with serial #)-I plan to call it a "modified frame". I checked with the state official in charge of such things, and as long as the original # hasn't been altered there are no limits on what "modified" means-just play Clinton with their definitions......

xs650mike · Posted: November 1, 2005, 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

Jack,

About the VIN# on the frame. In California one can register the bike from an engine #, many early bikes didn't have frame #s. My Matchlesses didn't. I've got a friend with a Trackmaster framed Triumph who is going through a bunch of trouble to use a set of cases that are early enough that he won't have to have turn signals on his streettracker to register it. What are people doing who build choppers without #d frames? Check with your DMV before doing anything too rash.

I read your first post about the bike you're styling your project after...if that ain't a cafe bike I don't know what is!

Phred · Posted: November 2, 2005, 12:20 am Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

Mike,

In my state (Missouri) you are not allowed to alter, deface, move, or otherwise screw with the OEM vin stamps. If you build your own frame you must have reciepts for all the metal. If you build a bike using engine and frame from different bikes, you must have titles to both (I guess a copy of the title for the engine would be o.k., but I'm not sure).

I've heard Missouri is one of the worst states for building a bike from old or salvaged parts.

BTW, the info in the first paragraph I got from the Highway Patrol Captain that is in charge of the state vehicle inspections and registrations, so I consider it to be as accurate as can be had!

xs650mike · Posted: November 2, 2005, 1:46 am Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

Where there's a will there's a way. You could maybe title the bike in a state that's not so restrictive and then transfer title to MO. Or have a buddy reg it in another state under his name and then sell it to you for $1 (wink wink, nudge nudge) and you transfer your title to your state.

What does MO do about old bikes with no VIN, just an engine case #?

Phred · Posted: November 2, 2005, 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

I guess if it came that way you're o.k.

I have an old shotgun that never was numbered (didn't have to back then) and the BATF hasn't come for it (yet...) so maybe the same rules apply.

I have heard stories about police confiscating bikes when the owner cannot document ownership of the parts-can we say Sieg Heil!

xs650mike · Posted: November 3, 2005, 2:35 am Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

Which is why my friend with a garage full of bikes always keeps all the titles handy. He was once visited by police (on the complaint of an anonymous neighbor) who demanded proof that all the bikes were his. He demanded that they prove they were stolen. They were old time Frisco cops and told him to do as they asked or he would be very, very sorry. He had to scramble to find all the documentation while the police waited impatiently. He had two bikes he was repairing that belonged to friends. He was able to reach them by phone to bring the registrations over. Then the cops expressed their suspicion that he was running an unlicensed repair shop in his garage. (He was.) He mentioned that he was in a club and that club members often used his tools. "What club?" the officers wanted to know suddenly suspecting he was an outlaw. "The North Stars" said my friend. Suddenly the cops were very friendly since the North Stars membership is mainly San Francisco police and sheriff's deputies. "Why didn't you tell us that in the first place?" they wanted to know. He told them he didn't want them to think he was pulling the old "I've got friends on the force" ruse.

jfboy · Posted: November 4, 2005, 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: My XS 650 Cafe

Jack wrote:

50gary from proboards is using the R6,complete front section and you must custom make a steering head for the R6 stem........Jack

Got a link from that board. I am very interested in this mod.

BTW: do you know if there is another kind of sportnike front end that is easier to fit.. ??

Is the problem just the lenght of the steering head ? That is not an issue for me as long as the race of the bearings seat properly on it.

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650