Slightly different take on a build thread...

[aurbanphoto]

So I've been a long time lurker, but this is my first post. I've found a lot of inspiration, and found answers to many a question... so thank you to all of you asking questions, answering questions, and building rad stuff in your shops/garages/backyards!!!

Now that that's out of the way, a little bit about myself and this project. Well, I'm a photographer by profession and was looking to build myself a bike as well as shoot a personal project that would give me a nice collection of images for a gallery show and possibly a coffee table book... whatever, I just needed a release, something to build with my hands, a way to stay out of trouble in my free time. Needless to say it has completely consumed me for the past year and a half.

Soooo, here is a lil iPhone snap of where I started, '81 xs650, non running, non titled, just an engine, a frame, and a box of mostly useless rusty and crusty crap...

[aurbanphoto]

first obstacle... get title. did an online records search on the vin, not stolen. called out the local sherifs to take a look and run the vin again, still not stolen, last time it was registered was in early 90's. tracked down the original owner, sent a letter... nothing. super frustrating!!! after extensive research, i found a very nice gentleman in orlando that handles this sort of situation, and for next to nothing on top of the standard title and transfer fees, dude handled all the legal bs in dealing with mvd and got the thing titled in my name. if you find yourself in the same situation, shoot me a message and i will gladly share his contact info with you.

[aurbanphoto]

sooooo... i figured i'd tear apart the engine next and see what was hidden inside. now for the "fancy" pics, and where my lil photo project begins.

[nohonestlyitsme]

I guess your 650 came with the pussy magnet.. VEry nicee. But seriously, awesome pictures, keep it up Bruh

[aurbanphoto]

I guess your 650 came with the pussy magnet.. VEry nicee. But seriously, awesome pictures, keep it up Bruh

Yea, came with the oem pussy magnet in place... Had to ditch it though, only attracted the harry variety. Gotta swap it out for a custom magnet that draws a smoother variety more frequently!

Thanx man, more pics on the way for sure.

[poison]

nice pics

[goofyfoot2001]

Beautiful pictures. I would say even sexy.

[aurbanphoto]

thanx guys!

[killmoretrout]

Beautiful pics, dude. That's gonna make a helluva gallery show or coffee table book or whatever you do with it. What's next?

[aurbanphoto]

as you can see from the pics above, shitload of oxidation on the outside of the cases. You can really see how nasty is was on the pic of the head cover. From what I found digging up info on the bike, she spent her previous life in Titusville, Florida... probably forgotten, chillin outside. I removed all of the oxidation on the lower cases and side covers myself. after going through way to many brushes and scotch brite pads, and exhausting my expletive vocabulary, I decided to send the jugs, head, and head cover out to get blasted. I could not for the life of me get all of the oxidation out from between the fins. Once clean, I laid down a matte black ceramic paint, and went back over the edges of the fins on the head with acetone to give the shaved fin look on the head.

[aurbanphoto]

Beautiful pics, dude. That's gonna make a helluva gallery show or coffee table book or whatever you do with it. What's next?

Thanx dude! The bike was actually all built an coated in primer as of last week. Took it out to the Dania Beach vintage bike show with 200 miles on the rebuilt engine. She's currently back to a pile of parts awaiting final paint. I'm just now getting my lazy ass to going through all my pics and figuring out what I'm going to do with them, and share with everybody here in the process. I will probably be uploading more of my pics today.

[aurbanphoto]

as for the internals of the engine, everything seemed to be in pretty good shape. Jugs were stock bore, no pitting or scoring, Pistons looked fine other than the carbon buildup. Tranny gears looked good, as did the dogs. The cam chain tensioner was worn but not broken like I hear about all the time. All the bearings were in good condition. Valves were straight and cleaned up very well. So now for putting shit back together, here's what I dropped in...

-Hugh's hand built rephrased stock crank and cam
-needle bearing & thrust washer for the clutch
-one piece clutch rod
-new clutch springs and retainer screws
-new clutch friction plates
-freeze plug for starter motor block off, and removed all internal electric start gears
-replaced all gaskets and oil seals
-new oil sight glass
-reused stock Pistons with new rings
-new cam chain tensioner
-new cam chain
-sump filter
-oil filter
-tach plug
-cleaned up the heads casting flaws in intake and exhaust
-lapped the valves
-replaced all copper sealing washers
-and all new stainless nuts and bolts
-pamco 277 ignition
-Hugh's hand built pma kit
-NGK iridium plugs
-mini dyna single coils

[Wingnut89]

Art and engineering. My 2 favorite things.

[heyyodho]

I like there this thread is going! Looking forward to future posts.

[aurbanphoto]

and now, the rebuild pics...