1979 XS650 choppah

[CMarty]

Picked up three xs’ from the chopcult classifieds a couple weeks ago. This is my first chopper build so here goes. The best of the three, and the one with a title was a ‘79 xs in original frame. Didn’t hear it run but engine turns and has decent compression. So far I’ve stripped the bike and cut off the rear half for the MK21 hardtail from voodoo vintage. Just made rough cuts to be cleaned up later once the tail comes in the mail.

Over all I’m going with a 6 over front end with the stock rake, 21” rim and unsure about front brake. 18” Yamaha rim and drum brake in the back from one of the other bikes. Got a j&p mustang tank with the deal and I like it for this bike. Not too sure about bars but was leaning toward some z bars on maybe 6” risers.

Has anyone ever used the air ride solo seat from TC bro’s? Thought it looked like something different that in theory might be a good option rather than ridgid seat/springer.

‘79 engine came with an older Boyer bransden electronic ignition, so I hope that works out and can be run.

Pumped to get this hard tail welded on and plan out where I want the bike to go

[CMarty]

Update on the chop. Got the voodoo vintage tacked on and took the engine out.

Started the tear down on the engine. Smells like a lot of gasoline in the oil. A buddy of mine made a bracket for the xs engine to go on a roll around stand. Makes working on it way easier. Waiting on getting a chain breaker/riveter to break cam chain and go further into the engine.

[TriNortchopz]

found this:

"you can remove it without breaking the chain. Just lift the cam shaft up enough so that the bearings come out of the head. Then pull the bearings off the cam, that will allow it to drop down enough to slip the chain off."

http://www.xs650.com/threads/removin...am-chain.3940/

[CMarty]

Been a while. Been slow going but I’ve gotten a lot of the frame fab done and have put the engine work on the back burner for a bit. Trying to finish a back room at my house to use as an engine workshop.

Found one of the exhaust valve collar seals had been rattling around in the engine for who knows how long. Split the case to make sure everything was in good shape. Had a local guy at best cycle in Attleboro do a .25 over bore and hone as there was some light groves in the cylinders.

As for frame work:
Voodoo vintage Hardtail welded on. Neck windowed and filled with 1” round bar and small gusset in the front. Got a sullys customs solo seat mounted on 3” springs. Rear stingray fender mounted and 1/2” sissy bar bent.. was trying to send the two sides of the sissy bar up and then weld in some sort of circle out of the same 1/2” as a topper. Couldn’t get the circle bent right with just a small torch.. will try and figure something else out. Swap meet kickstand and custom bracket. Here’s some pictures

[CMarty]