My First Build "The Story"

JimEd · New Member Joined: Jul 31, 2009 Posts: 7

This is my first build so I want to give a little history about what I have done so far. This might be kind of lengthy but I hope you enjoy it.

Here she is in the beginning a 1981 Special Craigslist find of $250.

She wasn’t running had no spark and ok compression but no problem I knew what I wanted and who I wanted to do it for the power plant, exhaust system, and frame.

The first thing I did was contact GreatScott about a set of pipes. I sent him a set of old Harley fishtails and a picture of what I wanted and here’s what I got in return.

GreatScott’s craftsmanship is outstanding and the fit was perfect. All of this in only 2 weeks.

Next I contacted Paul Bertaut (PaulSales) about doing my engine build. We agreed on a complete rebuild with the following additions MikesXS 750CC Big Bore Kit, 420 Lift Billet Cam, springs,etc., 36mm Mikuni Carbs, Pamco Ignition with Green Monster coil, MikeXS overdrive 24 tooth 5th gear, Long one-piece clutch pushrod, performance oil filter & cooler kit, Pro-port head porting, and bead blasting the entire engine. I sent Paul my engine with full payment the end of May expecting it back in about 4 weeks like we agreed but on August 17 he emails me and informs me MikeXS is out of the 750 kits until the first of the year. Not sure why he didn’t order it in June when Mike had 511 kits but that’s another story for later. Just can’t wait to get this baby back.

I knew I wanted Rich at G&L to do my frame, fake oil tank/battery box, and forward controls so after striking a deal with G&L, I cut the frame and sent her to G&L to be transformed. Several weeks later she came back home.

I knew she was going to be beautiful but I had no idea just how gorgeous she would be after her surgery.

After getting my surgically enhanced beauty back it was time to add the tank/battery box, gas tank, seat, and rear fender. I had an old Ford spare tire ring laying around so it was used for the fender.

I had Paul at Daddios Designs made me a Black Cherry seat so it was next. Paul does outstanding work at a very reasonable price, check him out. The seat was mounted using a set of satin Chopper Shox.

So after mounting all of her new accessories she began to take shape.

I was kicking around the idea of painting the frame gloss red and the tank, fender, and oil/battery box flat black so just to get an idea of what it might look like and to stop the rust I rattled canned it all.

To be continued…

pumps · Posted: October 18, 2009, 11:22 am Post subject: Re: My First Build "The Story"

Man that's looking good. $250 off CL was a heckuva deal.

1ironhead · Posted: October 18, 2009, 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: My First Build "The Story"

That looks sweet so far.I like the adjusters on the inside like that.What are your plans for the pipes? wrapped? chrome? Who's chop in the pipes pic? I like their axle plate.

JimEd · New Member Joined: Jul 31, 2009 Posts: 7

I am either going to ceramic coat the pipes silver or just black wrap them with the chrome fishtails showing, Right now I leaning toward just wrapping them.

The bike in the pipes’ pictures belongs to GreatScott the guy who made the pipes for me. He uses it to mock-up the pipes he makes. This guy does fantastic work at a very reasonable price and his turnaround time is unbelievable.

Srinath · Posted: October 19, 2009, 9:45 am Post subject: Re: My First Build "The Story"

Shiny red frame, flat black tank and body. What I very famously call ... the negative bike. Love it, seriously most negative things look cool.

Like on my GR650 I did the frame in shiny chrome look with amethyst flecks and the tank and body is getting a frosty (non glossy) blue.

However I may ahve toruble matching the plastic so I am leaving myself the option of spraying clear over it and getting it shiny.

I did negative shock ... the body in bright blue, spring in flat black, but that's about it. My XS is getting flat track treatment but its boring yellow body and stock black frame.

Cool.
Srinath.

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650