Very nice man. I owned 3 XS 650's over the years that I rode. Of all the bikes I owned in the years that I rode I really enjoyed the XS 650 the most. One of the 3 I went with low restriction and louder baffles, re jetted the carbs and put good and well balanced tires on the bike. Also removed the factory airbox and put dual air cleaners on it. The engine ran stronger and more responsive breathing better and an already good bike became better. That bike was a sweetheart to take a ride on a balmy autumn day a winding, hilly stretch of nice two lane country road. I could lean that one over in a curve and she'd stick like glue, no surprises. As I near 70 and quite riding as extensive osteoarthritis in my lower back and hips made it an unpleasant experience I do so miss it. Be safe brother. You've got yourself a sweet looking and sounding ride.
That's a very nice 650. I'm glad nobody took a grinder to it and welded a hardtail on. You could actually ride this somewhere farther than the local bar. Good brakes, instruments, cushy seat, electric start, it's a Cadillac among junkers.
Thank you! I've had it out for a couple hundred miles at a time and it's a comfortable ride for what it is. I actually bought it to hard tail it but once I got it cleaned up and running I thought it was far too clean to cut up!
My 750 came in a dull orange that i stripped off right away. Previous owner must've been dreaming of this shade but missed the mark bad. This is that beautiful sunburst shade like on the CB550s. Sounds awesome
Love a rumbly-exhaust , this is how we made all our bikes sound, "back in the Day", the sound is such a big part of the riding experience , you cracked-it bro
This beautiful pulse sound heard here is due to first the SX650 twin using a 360 degree crank with an apparent after market similar to British pea shooter muffler. Nice rich sound!
LOVE IT ! It really screams "motorbike". You've done some mods that for years I've been thinking of applying to mine. Like the "streamlining" of the indicators and the lowering of the headlight and speed-rev meters. It really makes for a neater, more compact look. I'm not too fan of the number plate placement though as it makes the opposite, sticking out. Congrats !
This very nice color scheme reminds me to HD XR750. The sound of the short mufflers is decent. A nice sound Last decennias i've experimented with several types of exhausts. Next year i'll reinstall the Campbells. In my opinion the most suitables
@@Abraxxas1127 gotta ask did you have grounding problems being that bars are powder coated black. I did get similar bars to yours and had to sand off paint where controls contacted bar
Mine are anodized aluminum, every once in a while I have to fiddle with the starter button a time or two to get it to start like I did in this video. I'm sure it has to do with grounding through the coating so I will likely sand a little too.
What kind of rear turn signals are you using? I'm pretty much going to copy what you've done, with the exception of the paint job. But I love everything else you've done.
That’s a cool-looking XS. Just the right amount of mods and still retains that original look. What kind of rear fender and Exhaust? How about those bars?
Thank you! Stock rear fender just cut shorter, 2 inch modified automotive cherry bomb mufflers, pro-taper motocross bars with the "Carmichael bend" and big bar mounts from pro-taper.
Thank you! And no, it was maroon originally. I've painted it 3 different colors since I've built it and have been happy enough with this one that I haven't wanted to change it since.
@@Abraxxas1127 That's awesome, they're in incredible shape. The gauges on my '81 were functioning pretty poorly and were totally faded. Ended up going with some decent aftermarket units, but the originals look so cool. Well done, my friend.
@patrickkehoe1284 thanks man! Mine were faded too, one had a cracked face... I found a really clean pair on ebay a few years back for a good price and have been happy with them!
I had my 1978 SR500 gauges rebuilt for mates rates by a good friend who restores gauges for a living He did my tachometer one day while I hung around talking and drinking coffee with him and I came back the next day and he got the bugs (dead insects) out of the speedometer He's an "expert" people from all around the world send him work, he charges like a wounded animal but as soon as they receive their finished instruments and they see what he can do they send him more work It's an honour to know him
Thank you! Sure, they are ProTaper bars with the Carmichael bend and their aluminum universal rubber handlebar mount/clamps. The bolts for the clamps are on the short side but do work once you get the bushings squashed a little. Very easy and comfortable swap.
I have one too…👍🏼👁️👍🏼👁️👍🏼 looks good…where do you get your work done ?…I would like to customize mine as well…I just don’t have the experience, time, or tools..
One of the best sounding XSs of youtube ngl.
Very nice man. I owned 3 XS 650's over the years that I rode. Of all the bikes I owned in the years that I rode I really enjoyed the XS 650 the most. One of the 3 I went with low restriction and louder baffles, re jetted the carbs and put good and well balanced tires on the bike. Also removed the factory airbox and put dual air cleaners on it. The engine ran stronger and more responsive breathing better and an already good bike became better. That bike was a sweetheart to take a ride on a balmy autumn day a winding, hilly stretch of nice two lane country road. I could lean that one over in a curve and she'd stick like glue, no surprises. As I near 70 and quite riding as extensive osteoarthritis in my lower back and hips made it an unpleasant experience I do so miss it. Be safe brother. You've got yourself a sweet looking and sounding ride.
Thank you! Thanks for sharing some great memories, they are timeless little classics for sure!
Great looking XS. Working on a '75. That exhaust looks and sounds really good. And the Wood Thrush singing in the backround is a nice touch.
That's a very nice 650. I'm glad nobody took a grinder to it and welded a hardtail on. You could actually ride this somewhere farther than the local bar.
Good brakes, instruments, cushy seat, electric start, it's a Cadillac among junkers.
Thank you! I've had it out for a couple hundred miles at a time and it's a comfortable ride for what it is. I actually bought it to hard tail it but once I got it cleaned up and running I thought it was far too clean to cut up!
Had a 79 special,spent months cleaning her up,turned out awsome,keep her as long as you can!!
She’s a beauty man. I listen with headphones on, sweet sound even engine.
My 750 came in a dull orange that i stripped off right away. Previous owner must've been dreaming of this shade but missed the mark bad. This is that beautiful sunburst shade like on the CB550s. Sounds awesome
Thank you!
Love a rumbly-exhaust , this is how we made all our bikes sound, "back in the Day", the sound is such a big part of the riding experience , you cracked-it bro
Oh my how I miss mine. Had a 1975 and to this day was the best bike I had the pleasure of owning. Love your bike man!
Thank you!
Had a 72 back in the day, didn't realize what I had until I didn't have it. Best sound ever.
I love it
This beautiful pulse sound heard here is due to first the SX650 twin using a 360 degree crank with an apparent after market similar to British pea shooter muffler. Nice rich sound!
Nice! Love the wood Trush birds in the background!
Aahh the 70 s i loved that color.
LOVE IT ! It really screams "motorbike". You've done some mods that for years I've been thinking of applying to mine. Like the "streamlining" of the indicators and the lowering of the headlight and speed-rev meters. It really makes for a neater, more compact look. I'm not too fan of the number plate placement though as it makes the opposite, sticking out. Congrats !
God they are stunning beautiful. Im only 28 but prefer classics. Selling my fz1 and getting one 🤞👌
gorgeous bike ,ive had 4 and i miss my us custom badly.
Thank you!
Timeless machine
Just got a '79 xs650 special and I like what you did with yours.
I like this bike. I guess it stated life as a special but is now looking more roadster.
Very nice work mate...and sound. Love every bit of it. One of the best toys...congrats.
Thank you! It's been a fun project!
Perfection 🔥🔥
This very nice color scheme reminds me to HD XR750.
The sound of the short mufflers is decent.
A nice sound
Last decennias i've experimented with several types of exhausts.
Next year i'll reinstall the Campbells.
In my opinion the most suitables
Thank you!
Incredible
Very nice work mate...love it.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Nice. Like your paint work. Was thinking of putting fairly straight bars on mine also. Nice to see how it looks like on yours. Cheers
Thank you! The bars are really comfortable on the road.
@@Abraxxas1127 gotta ask did you have grounding problems being that bars are powder coated black. I did get similar bars to yours and had to sand off paint where controls contacted bar
Mine are anodized aluminum, every once in a while I have to fiddle with the starter button a time or two to get it to start like I did in this video. I'm sure it has to do with grounding through the coating so I will likely sand a little too.
@@Abraxxas1127 yes I had no start no horn . Brain fart...thought I damaged wire harness at first .
@@sandmanGT350 I did that too when I first got it, put some painted dirt bike bars on and nothing lol.
got mine too, amazing bike
it looks mean from behind I like it
Where do I purchase one of the ingnition modules? I can not find them. Bike sounds Fantastic!!
Beautiful bike
This is the most stylish and beautiful XS650 I have ever seen!!
Just wonder if the tank and seat are original, or did you swap them for the others?
Thank you! Tank is original, seat has a new replacement cover but is an exact reproduction of the original.
Nice bike i have a 79 as well :)
What kind of rear turn signals are you using?
I'm pretty much going to copy what you've done, with the exception of the paint job. But I love everything else you've done.
Standard HD signals of of just about any sports sportster or Softail etc.
Ended up getting the same type of handlebars, but in Windham style.
That’s a cool-looking XS. Just the right amount of mods and still retains that original look. What kind of rear fender and Exhaust? How about those bars?
Thank you! Stock rear fender just cut shorter, 2 inch modified automotive cherry bomb mufflers, pro-taper motocross bars with the "Carmichael bend" and big bar mounts from pro-taper.
Looks and sounds great
Is that an original colour scheme ?
Thank you! And no, it was maroon originally. I've painted it 3 different colors since I've built it and have been happy enough with this one that I haven't wanted to change it since.
One of the nicest xs650s out there, great job. What gauges are you using?
Thank you! They're the original gauges, I just mounted them lower and laid them back more flat.
@@Abraxxas1127 That's awesome, they're in incredible shape. The gauges on my '81 were functioning pretty poorly and were totally faded. Ended up going with some decent aftermarket units, but the originals look so cool. Well done, my friend.
@patrickkehoe1284 thanks man! Mine were faded too, one had a cracked face... I found a really clean pair on ebay a few years back for a good price and have been happy with them!
I had my 1978 SR500 gauges rebuilt for mates rates by a good friend who restores gauges for a living
He did my tachometer one day while I hung around talking and drinking coffee with him and I came back the next day and he got the bugs (dead insects) out of the speedometer
He's an "expert" people from all around the world send him work, he charges like a wounded animal but as soon as they receive their finished instruments and they see what he can do they send him more work
It's an honour to know him
May I ask where you got the gage cluster from? Any links?
It's the original cluster, I just removed the indicator tree in the middle and repositioned the whole cluster down and layed it back a bit.
Very nice, Would you mind sharing what handlebars those are and was the installation easy? thank you
Thank you! Sure, they are ProTaper bars with the Carmichael bend and their aluminum universal rubber handlebar mount/clamps. The bolts for the clamps are on the short side but do work once you get the bushings squashed a little. Very easy and comfortable swap.
I just pick up a 78 and want to change the handle bars, What make are the one you have?? Also the rear brake/turn signals?? Cheers
Bars are Pro Taper in the Carmichael bend, rear signals are standard Harley Davidson turn signals with red lenses.
Very nice bike. Is that the original gas tank? I would change the seat though.
Eso es una motolinda
I have one too…👍🏼👁️👍🏼👁️👍🏼 looks good…where do you get your work done ?…I would like to customize mine as well…I just don’t have the experience, time, or tools..
Thanks! I've done it all myself, I've been in the autobody industry for 25 years.
Very beautyful❤ 2:17
What type of mufflers are those? They sound great! I want to get a pair for my vulcan 500.
In the description.
@@Abraxxas1127 what kind pipes are those how do I get to description sorry I'm new to this beautiful job.
What is the paint colour code mate?
linda.
Hoping my 81 xs650 can sound this good at idle when it's finished. Where did you get the exhaust?
Made it, it's in the description.
What mufflers please lol going to get same ones if answered
In the description.
Nice Cherry bombs :)
How much can i offer you ?
What exhaust is that ?
Read the description.
todella upea !!
ohne luftfilter !!!!
Not one good side shot at all. But a nice bike any way's
i
lol he doesnt know about custom culture
Is that a band or something? LoL