I took the photos of the bike outside and one of the back showing the fender struts.

new photos

I mounted the battery box but it was in the way of the chain. Four new holes fixed that.

What kind of gas cap do I need?

Brake stay

Check out this site and look at this brake stay, it is the nicest one I have ever seen. Check out his post it has other nice items like foot pegs.
http://xs650temp.proboards29.com/index.cgi?board=project&action=display&thread=11264

Bars

I got my bars and it was a wise choice not to make them. I got them for 6 Road Customs in Nebraska and the welding is insane. It makes my welding look like .... The fender is next. I am make the bungs right now but have to go back to work tomorrow.

battery box

Well I finished the basic battery box. I put angle iron on the outside to break up the flat metal. I am going to attach or make buckles for a leather top. I put rubber mounts inbetween the box an the channel. Hopefully, the battery will fit.

First time rider!

I love those chopper shox

Well no handle bars yet. Bitwell stopped making the 7/8" last year even though it is on their website. I kind of like the ones by 6 road customs on ebay. I really like some made by Kansas Customs by they are expensive. I wish I could bend tubing. Another tool I want by don't really need. I installed chopper shox they are pretty much straight but off a little on one side. Pretty good for one person in a tight little space. I receive my new caliper piston, installed it but a little mouse carried away the brake shoe screw. I am working on fabricating the battery box and brake stay. Oh, just a little hint for photographing metal objects. If you surround the object with white it will look like metal and not turn black.

Roller

Well I have the roller started, after buying parts for months. I am waiting for the chain and some other parts from mikexs. Once the rear wheel is lined up I will be able to install the fender. I bought seat pan and shox from Dave at Choppershox.com. The caliper piston was pitted so I bought a new one and will install that when it arrives. I am looking a t bars. I am trying to decide between Keystone's by Bitwell or or some mini apes on ebay. I bought the sportster tank at a swap meet and mounted that last week.

1980 xs650 Bobber

A month ago I decided to build a motorcycle. I can weld (self taught) and I build metal furniture in my spare time. My problem is I couldn't fix lawnmower engine. I decided to buy www.chopperassemblyvideos.com.
I need to see something done to do it and after the video I decided, I could do this!

I wanted a bobber but couldn't afford a V-Twin. It came down to either a CB750 or an XS650. After bidding on numerous engines on ebay(which I hate),I finally found a 1980 xs650 at Cycle Salvage in CT. Shipping was fair and they had quick responses to my emails, so I bought the engine. The engine arrived Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Out of money but with plenty of scrap iron I am building an engine stand. I am using the plans by Ken Ravell & Dave Sentz located at http://www.650motorcycles.com/XSstand.html

My goal is to post my progress, the good, bad and ugly, to get feedback and help so others can get their hands dirty. I am a photographer www.jcwphoto.com, so I should be able to get some good images of what I am doing. I will post videos on youtube.com and link them to this site. I am going to even rebuild the engine. Hopefully, I don't screw it up too bad. I found a really good webpage http://www.bikerworld.co.uk/tech/XS650engine/
that shows step by step of what to do. It is not perfect but hopefully I will be able to use this site to fill in the voids. Like piston ring gap. How to you measure that?
A timing light what exactly are you looking for?

Any information would be helpful. My next step is to save money to get a frame for mock-up. No, I am not going to build one. I have been looking at Tigman http://www.tanksbytigman.com/ and G&L Choppers. http://www.freewebs.com/glchoppers/index.htm
It could be awhile so be patient. Gas prices are killing me!

I joined xs650 Garage

Rapid Flash Bracket

Rapid Flash

I made this because I was sick of the flash not firing! Even with a Quantum turbo battery the flash could not recycle as fast as my camera can fire. I have used some old SB-25' an SB-28's on the bracket. I like the SB-28's because you can change the power in 1/3 stops. At half power they will blast away all night long. At full power after a couple shots the flashes seem to take a little while longer to recycle. If you switch to continuous low this seems to fix the problem at full power. I am using two turbo batteries but a turbo 2 would be idea. If you use pocket wizard I think you will need the expensive ones to get the sequencer function. I works without the turbo batteies as well. I shot a skier going off a jump and wanted a fill and was able to fire off 4 shots in a row. If you are interested call me at 717-919-3284. My web site is www.jcwphoto.com. You can email me from there.



This was shot with rapid flash off to right and an on camera strobe. Note the side light. It was shot with Canon Mark III 300 sec. F3.2 800 ASA. Flash was at 1/2 power and gelled with tough green.

Watch it work on youtube.