XS650 Scrambler/Desert Sled Project

[terribletabo1]

I just picked up this 1977 XS650 for a future Scrambler/Desert Sled Project:

I couldn't resist after I saw the Triumph Based Desert Sled Video on youtube. I'm going to be using Bill from CycleServiceSales for this one as well. First thing I want to change is the color & the handlebars! I'm thinking of swapping in The Royal Enfield Off Road Handlebars & Alloy Mudguards.
I want to keep the bike 2 up, but will probably be ordering a new seat from Heiden Tuning:
To be continued...

[preston]

sell your pipes, to carefill

[terribletabo1]

I'm debating the pros & cons of the Omar's 19" Rear Wheel Conversion kit omarsdtr.com/stwheel.html Which allows you to use a 19" front wire on the rear. Kit also allows the use of a rear disc on the Standard 650s.
Pros
Higher Speeds
steer a bit more quickly
Cons
Higher Seat
Less steady in a straight line
<--Mine
This is pretty close to the look I want to replicate:
<--Not mine, but close to what I want.

[tomterrific]

I have somw strong opinions here as I have thought the XS Scrambler thing too much. I think you should stay with the 18" rear and drum brake, it follows British scrambler tradition. Pipes should be long for torque and high for both tradition and ground clearance. A high pipe on each side like the BSA Hornet or a two into one pipe with the two cylinders joining close to the head like the earlier Brit exhaust designs would be a good looking light simple system.

Your choice of fenders is good. Although the alloy fenders are very light, they are fragile. I've owned Bultaco's. Something to think about. Any of the British fenders will look great and I'm surprised I don't see more British inspired fenders on the XS.

You may want to use Special headlight mounts as they raise the headlight up just a bit and give the forks a longer look. I have a bunch of Special headlight mounts so I used them to replace my bent '77D mounts. The bottom of the '77 instruments and the headlight shell now have clearence issues. For a scrambler I've thought of doing away with the instruments and using a tiny bicycle speedometer for the no-instrument look. Mount the mirrors under the bars for the no mirror look.

For a seat I find the shortened stock seat pans used on 50's and 60's bikes to be the best looking and comfortable. In a pinch a bird or a mate can squeese on behind for a short jaunt. A small rack over the rear fender with a leather tool pouch will be a nice touch.

What is most important is to style the bike Brit traditional but never try to make it into something it isn't. Everybody knows the bike is a Yamaha and the best most clever styling is to make your bike look like a factory custom for a 1977 Yamaha motorcycle show exhibit. No Triumph tank! But the Enfield tank looks British universal and goes with anything. The stock Special tank is a bit smaller than your stock '77 tank and the Special tank has slightly nicer styling (in my opinion). I also like the XS scrambler you pictured and the knee pad on the Special tank is a nice touch.

Use longer shocks in the back. This will raise the bike and give a rake which looks proper and will have the bike handling better in the dirt or on a twisty back road.

Tom Graham

[terribletabo1]

Feb 14, 2012 9:40:19 GMT -5 tomterrific said:

I have somw strong opinions here as I have thought the XS Scrambler thing too much. I think you should stay with the 18" rear and drum brake, it follows British scrambler tradition. Pipes should be long for torque and high for both tradition and ground clearance. A high pipe on each side like the BSA Hornet or a two into one pipe with the two cylinders joining close to the head like the earlier Brit exhaust designs would be a good looking light simple system.

For a scrambler I've thought of doing away with the instruments and using a tiny bicycle speedometer for the no-instrument look. Mount the mirrors under the bars for the no mirror look.

What is most important is to style the bike Brit traditional but never try to make it into something it isn't. Everybody knows the bike is a Yamaha and the best most clever styling is to make your bike look like a factory custom for a 1977 Yamaha motorcycle show exhibit. No Triumph tank! But the Enfield tank looks British universal and goes with anything.

Tom Graham

Yes, actually I was just talking to my builder about the dual high pipes.
I love this look & would prefer that, but I was worried about clearance issues with the kicker & oil dipstick. I prefer pipes coming out on both sides, over both pipes coming out on one side.

I was looking at possibly swapping in mini Speedometer & mini Tachometer with a Dual Mini Gauge:
Loaded Gun Customs XS650 Dual Mini Gauge Aluminum Dash Kit
www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-parts-loaded-gun-customs-xs650-aluminum-dash-dual-mini-gauge-kit-lgc-xsgauge.html

I always disliked the plastic instrument cluster of the XS650 & would like to swap something cooler in like the instrument panel that's on the Zero Engineering Type 9 motorcycle:


Yes, I think you are totally correct about the Royal Enfield tank looking very universal. I prefer the gap cap be dead center on the tank. I have also been looking at a few other tanks.
I think the Kawasaki W650 tank looks perfect, but they are pretty scarce and I'm not sure if it would work. Another tank that I have been drooling over is this Yamaha SR500 Alluminum Road Tracker Tank:



I see your point about the rear drum brakes & 18" wheels. I guess I like both ideas. I think the rear disc brake would be a lot lighter though wouldn't it? Thanks for taking the time to give your input. I'm still in the planning stages so I love the exchange of ideas & opinions. It really helps.

Here is a old photoshop of a Royal Enfield/XS650 scrambler someone did for me awhile back:

[Motorbikeman]

Well i didnt think anybody would think of putting a xs650 engine in to a enfield frame /
I thought i was the only person to be that Mad! Have just started on a yamfield well thats
What i call it, Not got far on with it yet ? just making the engine mounts up so i can get the back wheel and sprocket lined up will post some photo,s when i get a bit more done ,Doing it as a Scrambler hoping to get it done for september so i can take it to the island man to do some Green laning on . Regards Dave

[terribletabo1]

Feb 14, 2012 14:43:36 GMT -5 Motorbikeman said:

Well i didnt think anybody would think of putting a xs650 engine in to a enfield frame /
I thought i was the only person to be that Mad! Have just started on a yamfield well thats
What i call it, Not got far on with it yet ? just making the engine mounts up so i can get the back wheel and sprocket lined up will post some photo,s when i get a bit more done ,Doing it as a Scrambler hoping to get it done for september so i can take it to the island man to do some Green laning on . Regards Dave

I'm sticking with my XS frame, but someone else has a XS650 powered Royal Enfield:
www.xs650chopper.com/2010/10/xs650-powered-royal-enfield-bullet/

[terribletabo1]

Well, today is my first official day that I actually kickstarted & rode an XS650.
First Impressions:
-Heavy
-sluggish & hard to steer
-I hate the color
-I hate the handlebars

I actually had a bit of trouble getting the swing of putting it on the center stand & actually dropped it. Luckily for the bike the wall broke the impact. Not so lucky for my wall, now there is a hole the shape of my mirror.

I definitely want to put this thing on a diet! I'm debating losing the center stand now.

[preston]

Glad you enjoyed the ride.
My son has a 1990 , 350 Suzuki dual sport, if you like to trade ?
Preston

[terribletabo1]

Feb 14, 2012 18:03:02 GMT -5 preston said:

Glad you enjoyed the ride.
My son has a 1990 , 350 Suzuki dual sport, if you like to trade ?
Preston

Thanks for the offer but I'm pretty obsessed with this project right now.

I'm really liking the Triumph Scrambler skid plate & want to adapt it into my project:

[terribletabo1]

Something like these British Customs High Mount Header Pipes would look cool:
www.british-customs.com/british-customs-high-header-exhaust-system.html

[Burns]

You might consider GoldSeal/TT100 Dunlops. They have a 'period correct' look and their open tread pattern works ok on dirt roads. The bike is more like a Jeep than a motocrosser and dirt roads are as "off-road" as you are going to want to go.

[terribletabo1]

Thanks for the info. I might go w/ these new Heidenau tires that I've been drooling over. I like the way it looked on the Touratech F 800 ScrambleR:


I wonder if there is room to fit a wider front & rear tire while still having room for dual disc brakes up front? imageshack.us/f/138/photo34h.jpg/
I've been checking out some of the wheels from Cheney Engineering:
www.cheneyengineering.com/RWheel.shtml
I just picked up a yamaha XS650 motor from an 1983 year model with 0 miles on it since rebuild for $300. It is actually in boxes now. I eventually want to get ported & also 270 rephase from Jerry Heiden. Since that's going to be very expensive, I'll just take my time riding while collecting the necessary parts before having it swapped in.

[cafefill]

Terribletobo1:
Plus 1 on what Preston said. If those stock muffs are "really nice", I'm still looking for a set for a stock '77 restoration. Please PM or e-mail me if you're interested in selling them to help finance your build. And good luck in the direction you're going. Should be very nice when it's done.
Regards,
Cafefill

[Burns]

That's a heck of a good price for the motor. It would cost a grand to have one rebuilt. Of course it is a bit of a "pig in the poke" if you don't know the rebuilder.

As to the brakes, you are kind of confusing me as to the look you're going for (dual disks on a desert sled?) but the extra rotor isn't a tire width issue.

I'm sure those tires that you lust for are functionally superior to the TT100's or any old style trial's universals.

We all look forward to seeing your build.