New Donor Bike

So, I've been looking for a new build for some time now. I thought I found one, a Yamaha FJ1100. I know it would have been an awfully strange build, but it would have been REALLY fast. I just came accross this bike, though. $800.



I've got to get some correct wheels, but all I really needed was the motor and VIN. I'm gonna make another hardtail, and take a stab ad building a springer or fodder front end. The front wheel will work fine (after I weld the rim lock holes, powdercoat the parts, and relace it). The rear wheel is off some smaller dirtbike with a 39 tooth sprocket. I'm currently looking for a stock 18". I plan on running 4.00-18 in back, and a 3.00-21 up front.

I myself, have not ever gotten a bike that was complete, I always get them when they are in many,many, I mean nmany pieces, so, I usually do not get original side covers, I am replying only because the side covers you have on that xs650 reads exactly that! and i was wondering, was it original/? or did someone put that XS650 opun there just for personal sakes?

wheels might be mismatched but you probably forget about that every time you look at that sweet custom lizard graphic gas tank! score! looks like it's gonna be a fun project.

Well, the VIN shows manufactured date or 8/70, and its definately an XS650 motor. I'm willing to thet the side covers are original. Besides, the color mataches the vintage too.

This bike is fun to mob around on. I just point the wheel and pull the throttle, and hang on. I don't really worry about where the road leads, I just figure I'll end up at the other end, somehow. I don't even think about trying to avoid obstacles, I just hold on tight.

Luckily, theres a salvage yard nearby. They said they've got a bunch of stock wheels for this bike. When I went there earlier today, I didn't find any 18" rears (just one 16"). The guy working there said he knows there are a few, I've just got to go when I can invest time into really looking through the pile.

Is there a cush drive on this bike? or is the sprocket hard mounted to the wheel? Also, any other tips for picking a stock 18" wheel out of a pile of wheels? I'm also looking for a 21" front, but it doesn't really matter what its from since I'll be building a front end. I suppose the rear doesn't matter so much either, I just figure it works better with stock offset, and a sprocket that I know will fit the right size.

What size spacers am I looking for in the rear also?

that'll be a cool project. is that your ford in the backgound?

I kinda pick up you may want some more info on this? With a date of 8/70, it should be actually called a XS1B, or a later XS1. So the side covers may have come of a later model. If it is the matching motor, it will have a "256" series motor. The easiest way to tell is to look at the cam chain tensioner at the rear of the cylinders. If it has 4 bolts, it's a 256, and probably the original motor, if it has 6 bolts it is a 447 motor. You won't find as many performance parts for the 256, but you should have no problems finding the parts you do need to rebuild/repair it. Only a few differences between it and the 447 motor, like the wrist pins are a different size, as well as the cam chain gears, and I believe a couple other things. Some say the duration on the cams in the 256 is better anyways. And yes, the rear hub should have the compensator in it, as one was never built into these motors. Hope that helps. Should make a cool bike. Have fun with er.


*edit* They were first called a XS1, then XS1B, prior to being called a XS650, but they are one in the same.

Well, I started looking closer at the motor (it seems to have sprung an oil leak) and got some numbers. The engine is stamped S650-007688, which means it's an XS-1B 256 motor. At least I know where to start.

I've picked up a rear wheel from a 79, but it came with no spacers or axle. The wheel this bike came with was something off an early 70s dirt bike, like a DT1 or something. It's got a 16mm or something (I forget) axle. Seeing as how I don't have another axle, while I look for one, I just made a sleeve so I could use the smaller axle, and used the spacer and dust cover that came on the incorrect wheel, and made a spacer for the other side.

Oh yeah... The sprocket they were using fit a 520 chain, so they trimmed the front sprocket so it fit. Guess what I had to do--trim the rear sprocket to fit (rather than get a temporary 530 chain). Took all day, but I'm riding it again.

The next battle I'm fighting is the left cylinder starts to act up after about 8 minutes of freeway riding. I'm hoping that it's just that the coil needs replacing, and not that the cylinder is cracked or something.