New guy and another cafe..ish project

[Plug1]

Hello all!

Greetings from the BBQ Capitol of the world! ( we can debate that in another thread )

I recently picked up an 81 heritage special that was identical to the first vehicle I ever owned over 20 years ago. I bought that original bike in 1990 from a neighbor for 500 bucks and oddly enough I just picked this one up for the same amount.. Fate...

After searching the interwebs I came across this fantastic site a few weeks ago and have been devouring as much info on the bike as I can. Thank you to all who contribute to this community and make this forum the great resource that it is.

From the start I had planned on creating a cafe style bike inspired ( or perhaps directly copied) by a xs650 pic I came across. Soooooo, here's where I am so far!

This is the day she came home.. Guy said the clutch was shot, kick starer was broken and it wasn't running right.... Come to find out the clutch adjustment screw was screwed in all the way in causing the kicker and clutch issues.. Drained all the old gas and got some fresh in the system ... She fired right up and it shifting/kickstarting great.

 

[Plug1]

Cleaned up a bit.. New bars, stripped the tank, got rid of the tach (which was broken) centered the speedo and some other little changes..

 

[Plug1]

Tank.. Wish I could upload multiple pics to a single post.....

 

[Plug1]

Tank in process

 

[Plug1]

Chop chop...

 

[Plug1]

Chop chop..

 

[Plug1]

Let's try this:

Ignition relocation

 

[Plug1]

Now we're in business!

Ok soo here the frame loop I had a local shop bend up:

And welded on the bike!

 

[njcafe84]

Liking the build so far......could you tell me how you relocated the ignition there? Ive been looking for ideas to move mine also...I hate where it is. Any better pics of how you mounted it would help. Did you have to extend the wires? Will it get too hot being there?

 

[Plug1]

Now on to the seat pan. Didn't have any aluminum on hand so I decided to make a simple cowl/seatpan from some light gauge steel I had laying around.

Mocked up

 

[Plug1]

Got er all welded up and the surface rust off.

New rubber too!

Cleaned up and painted loop wow that weld is "awesome"

 

[LuckyEight]

Hey great build! The cowl with "59" looks awesome!

 

[Plug1]

Not sure on it getting to hot.. Honestly that's a concern I have too..time will tell. I have put 30 miles or so on it since the move and no issues so far.

All I did to move it was fabbed up a simple little bracket and attached it to one of the upper motor mounts. Kinda ratty now but ill make a nicer one as the build evolves. I did have to split the harness wrap and separate the ignition wires from the bundle to get the length needed to move it. Super easy and no wire cutting was involved. All of the wiring just tucked right under the tank. Easy as pie.

Hope this help!!

 

[Plug1]

Hey great build! The cowl with "59" looks awesome!

Thanks!!!

 

[Robsteeler66]

Looks great, love what you've done!

 

[njcafe84]

Thanks for posting the pics of the ignition!

Posted via Mobile

 

[Pork Chop]

Looking good. I like how you did the tank. Did you clear coat?

 

[Plug1]

Nope no clear yet but I will eventually. Right now I'm keeping the rust gremlins at bay with wd40.
Found some time today to do a little work.. Painted rear shocks and bars. Wire brushed a bunch of bolts, top triple and various other parts.. I love that industrial brushed look. Still deciding on the forks.. The ultimate goal is to mate a more modern inverted fork but for now either going to brush or paint them black.. Wheels are getting gloss black with polished edges in the next few weeks. Any thoughts??

 

[xschris]

Looks good

 

[77 XS360]

Awesome bike man! I really dig the bare metal look.