82' XS650 Special Chopper First Time builder

[Root]

Been riding two wheels since I took my dad's 10 speed out of the garage at three and figured out how to reach up and hold the undeside of the handlebars. I was literally inside the frame like I was the motor. Crashed a few times and figured it out. Had some old Honda's as a kid but was more into BMX than anything. Thats what I built then, kick ass BMX bikes. PK ripers, Redline MXII's Flovals & such. My pop was building Norton's, Ariels & Triumphs and I was content to work on my bikes along side him. Got into dirt bikes for a while and rode the hell out of those but it wasn't until about three years ago that I got my first street bike, a 2008 Triumph Bonneville that I quickly ripped apart and Thruxtonized as I figured out how I wanted to ride...FAST!
Remembering all the rad motorcycles my pop had I started to look into Classic bikes and picked up a 1978 Honda CB550K this bike was completely cherry stock and just beautifil. So beautifil that my old man borrowed it one day, after not riding for 15 years, and I didn't see that damn bike for three months. He bought his own bike this year and it has been sweet riding with my pop & brother. We even rode to Sturgis together and stayed in Deadwood and played poker & didn't even make it to Sturgis. I paid for the trip when I won the second day poker tournament. Nice 1!
Well, I decided I want something cool to build and ride with them and maybe build one for my brother. I loved the look of the XS650's and decided if I cant afford an Ariel Square Four that an XS would be fun to cut up without feeling to bad if I completely jack it up. So here I go, build and learn as I go by making mistakes, hopefully not to many.

[Root]

So my brother was so hyped on this he started combing craigslist for me. He lives in Idaho and there were some really good donor bikes up there. He picked up this gem with about 8K on the clock for $700. My pop and I loaded up my truck and met my brother halfway in Ely Nevada. Some one horse town with a casino. Didn't win any tournaments this time. but I left with a motorbike. Good enough.

[Root]

Headed back home through Snow, Sleet, & Rain. Wonder how many of these are rotting in one horse towns like this?

[Root]

Got on the google machine and looked at hundreds of choppers, bobbers, and other various cut ups. Started ripping things up as I figured where I want this to go. I liked the look of a lot of the hard tail bikes but a good riding friend and fellow riding dude, Temecula Terry, pointed out how I like to ride the hell out of my motorcycles and I should check out the Bratstyle builds. Solid advice. Fell in love with that shops bikes and decided I will do a soft tail.

[Root]

I figured that I am going to have to stretch the swingarm to achieve this look. Cross that bridge when I come to it. Started pulling bits off and hitting them with the wire wheel on the bench grinder. If you don't have a bench grinder, I don't want to know you.

[Root]

Pulled the forks off and started to shave them. Used a file, and the old angle grinder. If you don't have an angle grinder, I don't want to know you.

[VJ]

Welcome aboard. This sounds like it will be another interesting build.

[Root]

Here is where the forks sit after shaving and polishing them up.

[Root]

Onto the frame, started shaving all the bits and pieces I don't need off.

[Root]

Picked up a Wassell tank from Century Motorcycle when I was up in San Pedro. The people that runs this shop are top notch. Had a small dent in it but I banged it out and it is looking good.

[Punkskalar]

I figured that I am going to have to stretch the swingarm to achieve this look. Cross that bridge when I come to it. Started pulling bits off and hitting them with the wire wheel on the bench grinder. If you don't have a bench grinder, I don't want to know you.

I don't have a Bench Grinder Guess I can't build anything now.. haha

[Root]

You got that right. You could not have possibly rephased an XS without it!

I kid, I kid. Im a total hack, I'm figuring it out as I go man.

[Root]

Replaced the head bearings with new Rolled Tapered Bearings.
Knocked out the old races, banged in the new ones. Viola!

Punkskalar, if you don't have a dead blow, I don't want to know you. hahah.