I am making a ‘Bobber’ (not to be confused with a ‘chopper’) motorbike out of an old Yamaha XS650. Why you ask? Because I can. Whats the difference between a bobber and chopper? Bobbers are …….(Removed, as not to anger any local motorcycle gangs)… with leather tassels.
Any way – here is my bike before;
And here is what it will look like after wards;
Update Nov 16: Captain Steve’s frame looking good! Also done by Kyrie at Motorsport Fabrications. Getting the hardtail straight is quite a trick as most XS’s have been dropped or may have even come out of the factory untrue. The TC bros hardtail is pretty out of whack too – there must be a lot of XS650 hardtails in the USA trying to turn left! The Captain is keeping side controls on his, which required a lot more work. Cost for frame finished with side controls is about $1100 (including the M.F. hardtail) which is pretty bloody good as they help get the cert too.
XS650 hardtail with side controls - Motorsport Fabrications, Silverdale
Front view.
XS650 hardtail with side controls - Motorsport Fabrications, Silverdale
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XS650 hard tail with side controls - Motorsport Fabrications Silverdale
Update Oct 26: put some wheels on and drag bars just to make it look like a motorcycle…
Update Nov 20 – I have been getting hassled a bit for not keeping up the posts… apologies. Here is the latest;
FRAME
Went to see Kyrie at Motorsport Fabrications in Silverdale (09 426 3535). They have all the flash metal-working gear and it was worth every penny to have the frame professionally TIG welded knowing it would be straight and strong. They also help organise certification of the frame and then the final bike – so no brainer. They have also started making the weld-on hard tail for xs650′s and they are properly TIG welded – NOT Mig welded like the TC Bros. Hardtails from the states. Byt the time you pay for shipping it ends up cheaper getting them done here…
…wish I had known!
ENGINE
While the frame was getting sorted I painted the engine. No primer is the trick here, as apparently being air cooled the primer seals in too much heat. So I went with VHT High Temp Matt black. I am still working at filling the fins back to bring them up.
Updated pictures – Oct 21 – Hard tail and Frame come together at Motorsport Fabrications, and the engine gets dressed up
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- Front View
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- Cap’n Steve’s
Cheers,
Brooke
