Comments on: Classified Moto XS650

By: summerman

summerman — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:10:00 +0000

Well, I have never worked on a bike more than to straighten out a bent shifter or twisted brake grip or pull grass out of parts, but because of this site and others. (I have yet to see cafe racer tv.) I am going to get my 78xs 400 which hasn’t been run in 7 years and is frozen to the ground at a 30% angle in a friends barn, and get it started and try my part at customising it in the most basic of ways. Handle bars, bla bla bla. and I will then put it on youtube or some forum just to say, “here’s my attempt” or “here’s a pile of parts for sale”. I like the idea of getting some thing different and functional by my self from someting I already have. I’m 47, no real experience with mechanics except for the dozen or so times in my life I had to fix something on a car, lawnmower, etc. but I have been inspired and excited and to me that is what this is all about. I realize that even if I’m as successful as I hope to be that I will only have a crude, slow, low tech, generic looking hobbyist, bike that will have cost way more in time and/or money to build than a good used more modern bike, but I still want to try. My altimate goal is a great handling, reliable, quick, comfortable, cool looking ride. What I achieve is unknown at this time and that is what also drives me on to try. I read these posts and think that there were very few if any intended insults but many hurt feelings. I’m sure a few minutes together with any of the above posters tanding around even the worst of motorbikes as a back drop would elicit the common ground that we all as motorcyle enthusiasts have. So to all out there… build, ride, criticise and be safe

By: Ryland

Ryland — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:01:00 +0000

I will consider it now! I was actually going to get a tank chromed as an experiment and then brush it. It gives factory chrome (exhausts, fenders, light buckets, etc.) a nice natural metal look, so I was hoping it would work the same on a chromed tank. Nickel might save a step. Thanks! JR

By: RobL

RobL — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:31:00 +0000

Have you considered nickel plating? It’s rust-protective, won’t apply a shine like chrome, and has some interesting appearance characteristics of it’s own.

Looking forward to seeing your R90.

By: Ryland

Ryland — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:18:00 +0000

Boxer: Thanks! And the tank has a clear top coat. My painter warned me that it would not prevent rust but would definitely slow it down. You all know how I feel about rust, so I really like that it will change a little at time. Of course the alternative is to get an aluminum or stainless tank, but I enjoy the transitive nature of steel, visually. Can be a pain, though sometimes. haha. Also, it looks like I’ll be doing an old R90 over the next few months. I’ll post progress on my blog…

By: wayne dahlberg

wayne dahlberg — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:56:00 +0000

Please BikeEXIF, more bikes like this. Bravo, Mr. Ryland.

By: BoxerFanatic

BoxerFanatic — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:15:00 +0000

To the builder of this bike…

Fantastic work.

I keep coming back to look at this one. Not all of the bikes on this site are that appealing to me, although they all seem well done.

This one speaks to me, though. Very nicely done.

I love the finish on the tank, but I have to wonder… is it clear-coated or anything, to fix it as it is?

I like boxer engines, myself, and I would love to see a 70′s-80′s BMW boxer done with similar finish and fantastic simplicity, maybe with a toaster-tank.

By: MikeB

MikeB — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:56:00 +0000

front view of bike…. might just be perfection.