Just a few tweaks to get it running :-) ........got a bit carried away !!! XS650 Makeover

[slim_boy_fat]

No, don’t do instagram

Neither do I, you don't need an account to view his bike pics. Just click on the link beneath his posts.

 

[Migmac]

Neither do I, you don't need an account to view his bike pics. Just click on the link beneath his posts.

 

[lchris21]

Where you from then Chris?
If you find out any dates please let us know.

Not too far from Castle Street.............just over the mountain, Neath.
Llanishen Show, is early April

Swansea Classic Bike Show is normally held outside Swansea Museum, Dylan Thomas Square, mid summer? Cant see any dates at the moment? I think they may have swapped venues last few years to inside at the Bus Museaum on Fabian Way? Keep an eye out....

You gonna show the bike or a it just for riding? You are keeping it I assume?

Im planning on going to Cardiff Show with it, also Swansea, and maybe the Kickback Show in Gloucester in July?........
I will ride it, as I like to put a few miles on it to run it in....make sure nothing falls off..............

Last one I put about 200miles on before a somebody made me an offer I couldn't refuse ...............this will be the same I think? as Ive got another patient waiting in the Ambulance

Quick question about that wrinkle paint? What brand is it and is the application a nightmare. The eBay reviews for the VHT one are variable! PJ1 do it too.

Its very hit and miss to be honest. I used the VHT brand, but its a bit of a faff to get right, you have to put real heavy coats on otherwise it will not wrinkle. Its ok on smallish flat surfaces but when you get into engine castings with all the nooks and crannies its difficult to get a nice even finish......Sometimes its ok, other times its a nightmare. I have seen myself strip, paint and strip again the same part 4 times as I wasn't happy with it...........I still use it on small parts but will avoid large objects.
Check out the results with this guy here......says it all really?

 

[Exuptoy]

Cool, I’m home for the Llanishen one. Nice one cheers. Almost agreed to buy an USD front end earlier for a ZX6R C1H for £200 inc yokes but by the time I **** around and source the correct wheel with discs it’ll add another £100 then the rear won’t match and the bearings are so far away it’s no go. 15x35x11 as opposed to 25x47x12. I’ll work with what I have then think about it later.

 

[lchris21]

Righto, its been a few weeks so apologies for the lack of updates, I have been mostly concentrating on the wiring. Its not very photogenic or interesting to picture lost f wires, but nonetheless needs to be done. Finally got it finished yesterday, with a few odds and ends to check and test when its running. Good news is nothing's blown up electrically, there's no magic smoke emitting from anything, and the engine turns over and sparks . Got to say I'm impressed with the Motogadget M-unit, the sheer simplicity and features make the price tag well worth it.....forgotten where I was prior to this...
First up get the tank on to see where, and more importantly where I couldn't run the cables.

Then I decided to relocate the speedo sensor to the back wheel rather than having to try get the power cable looking neat running from the original location on the front disc. Rigged up the lathe with some spokes to see if the sensor would be able to cope looking for them. All good ..had to make a new bracket, and hide the cable in the brake drum torque arm, which was a right pain in the hoop....though

 

[lchris21]

Fiddly job was getting the switch gear I made all soldered up then run through the bars. Also trying to get it all neat, packaged, in place where its needed and prevent any issues with future maintenance or cable damage issues. Always use the "proper" furry loom tape and sealed bullet connectors where possible. I'm no sparkey but I cant stand wiring looms wrapped in builders electrical tape , it turns into a gungy mess very quickly on automotive applications.

 

[lchris21]

No scotch-locks or domestic terminal blocks on this build............................Ive seen a few "professional" builds in shows that your average domestic sparky would be proud of

 

[lchris21]

 

[RichardM]

Speedo pickup on rear wheel also suffers less wiring breaks
For the braid, adhesive heat shrink at the ends / joints stops it fraying.

 

[lchris21]

Speedo pickup on rear wheel also suffers less wiring breaks
For the braid, adhesive heat shrink at the ends / joints stops it fraying.

I only had the non sticky type, I tried that but its no good, I'll give some a shot next time ..........I prefer the furry tape and heat singe method for now........works for me and allows ....errrm mistakes to be corrected

 

[lchris21]

just worked out how to add a video....

 

[lchris21]

also, nearly forgot, managed to get some new air filters ordered and fitted, went off the foam sponge type in favour of a pleated type. I like the pink , they are supposed to outperform K&N and cheaper which is nice...

 

[Wallace]

Wiring is super neat, I like that a lot and pleased you changed the filters!

 

[Exuptoy]

Again mate, your work is exemplary! I’m a sparky and whilst I wouldn’t use ‘choc blocks’ Id certainly be proud of the outcome!
Been following your spirit of 59 build over on ‘do the ton’. Amazing and never realised you started with such a pile of tired rusty bits!
Keep it up mate, only downside is your raising the game for the rest of us home builders to have to aim for!

 

[Exuptoy]

....and I can tell you it ain’t ever gonna happen!

 

[lchris21]

Always do your self justice...its all that counts

 

[RedOrZed]

That is proper outstanding!!

 

[lchris21]

Just a few minor updates. Been working on some time consuming fiddly stuff so nothing dramatic, but jobs need to be ticked off the list....

Changed my mind on the throttle and moved away from the original Amal setup Id used, this meant a bit of modification to the cables and a bit of fabrication in the housing itself. New throttle does not come with an internal throttle guide and Id forgot to order one and it was a Sunday afternoon and all that.........
Had to bend a nice bit of stainless to the right CLR without crushing it. The new throttle is a bit quicker action so just takes one handful for full throttle instead of two bites at it . Its a bit bulkier, but I can live with that.

 

[lchris21]

Fearful that the carbs will be left dangling by the throttle cables when the bike is in the road, I made up a couple of insulated supports just to help with the overhang. XS650 are notorious for vibration so hopefully this will help keep things in place. They are hidden behind the airfilters so cannot be seen too obviously. Added some details to the jubilee clamps for a bit of bling, plus as they are now lighter the bike should in theory be much quicker

 

[lchris21]

The clutch actuator next. It was showing some signs of wear and the pin was a work of art with the grooves in it so had to weld up the arm, re-drill it then make new parts where needed. All good now, but Id realised that the fancy adjustment cover I made last year would not clear the mechanism inside so had to make some mods to that to get it all in there...