Yet another XS Newbie

guelah · New Member Joined: Aug 28, 2006 Posts: 8 Location: NEPA

Good day all. Well, I just recently got turned on to XS's while surfing the net. I sold my bikes just over two years ago (CBR and KLR) when my family and I moved from Oregon to PA. I made it two years without riding and could take it no more. While killing time at work surfing motorcycle pages I came across some XS websites and was immediately hooked! Couldn't believe how many fans there were or how many mods could be made. I began searching, mostly by way of mouth for some barn bikes, and found several fairly reasonable. I picked up an '80 with 8k and in very good condition (only some pits in the chrome), an '80 with 13k (ridable but rough cosmetically) and an '81 with 14k that was sitting in a field for about 5 years and had been used (or was beginning to be used) as a parts bike. In any case, all were complete bikes with titles and I picked them up for a total of $600.00.

Now the fun begins. I plan to keep one original and mod one to a flat tracker. I have very little cycle mechanic knowledge but can be fairly handy in the garage so this should be interesting as soon as I can figure out where to begin... Perhaps I already have...

Be well... guelah

mlading · Posted: August 29, 2006, 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Yet another XS Newbie

I'm restoring an 81. Done mostly clean up and painting so far. Just mounted a pair of 36mm Mikui carbs. Not running yet. Looks like this may be a good sounding board for restoration projects. Good luck on yours, Mike from Kansas City.

KYLEPRESTON · Posted: August 29, 2006, 10:18 am Post subject: Re: Yet another XS Newbie

Good Morning all, Just wanted to say hello. I have been here for a short while myself, If I can give you one little tip. Any questions just ask some one knows. you would be amazed how much shome of there people know.

Cheers Kyle

LouC · Posted: August 30, 2006, 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: Yet another XS Newbie

Wow...3 650s! You struck the mother lode!! Smile

These old 650s have real character...I'll be looking for another one myself.

Will be lookin' forward to following your progress....

Lou in Omaha

guelah · New Member Joined: Aug 28, 2006 Posts: 8 Location: NEPA

Finally after many a long month I have: 1. posted a picture of the bike I've been riding. I bought it as seen in the photo and have only done a very basic once over to be sure it's safe to ride and polished up the engine case a bit (to see if it could shine) and 2. begun work on my first built. Thus far I have begun stripping the bike down to the frame. I've removed the engine, fenders etc. and am now waiting for my hotglass seat to arrive before moving forth. I'm hoping to have it ridable in about a month but finances always seem to be the deciding factor there.

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650