XS650 cafe seat part 1

Since deciding to use the XS360 tank, I need a seat to match. I'd started a scrambler style seat last year, but that isn't going to happen now. That one was being made to fit with the narrow in the rear XS650 tank. I've been itching to do a fun fab project, since the last two bikes, the '79 XS650 and DT3 along with the current TC90 project, are just maintenance and clean up work. I went through the parts stash, and decided to use this '71 Suzuki T250 pan as a start.




Rusty, but this will clean up nicely.


Too narrow for the tank at the front of the pan, so some measuring...


...and now the right width.


I'm using the stock front mount on the pan. I bent some round bar for a mount on the frame.


A lot of fitting and trimming, getting ready to tack it to the frame, just in front of the battery box.


The rear mounts will work with some bending.


Bent out, so now they are near the frame.


The rear frame mounts are made from some old engine mount brackets, and welded in just behind the upper shock mounts. They are easy to get to there, but mostly out of sight.


It bolts on now. I sandblasted to rear part where I'll be working, and the rest I'll do after the metal work is done.




This is a CB350 tank that I'll likely use for the bum stop.The shape is just square enough to look good with the new tank.


First I cut it in half. Check out the crude inside.


Getting to the part I want to use.


Here it is just sitting in place to get an idea of the look. I dig it so far. Just a simple, tight look, and fits over the frame loop nicely. Next will be to refine the seat and finish it off. Then rearsets and the teardown.

RIP Grumpy

XS360 gas tank on an XS650

I set the swap meet XS360 tank on my '75 XS650 and loved it.

The only real issue is the petcock. It has a large vacuum petcock and doesn't clear the engine. I might be able to find a small aftermarket non-vacuum petcock that will work, so I'll have to check around. If not I'll block it off, weld in a bung farther back, and use a screw-in type petcock.


The two front mounts on the tank only needed narrowed up 1/8 inch on each side to fit. The rear tank mount needs a new bracket on the frame. When making the mount, I made it to sit lower than what I thought it would likely need. This way later on I can use large flat washers to shim it to just the right height.


Here is a scrap piece of flat steel and an old piston pin. The pin is to cut down to use as a sleeve inside the rear tank mount rubber bushing.


Cut, bend and drill.


I welded a nut on the bottom, then positioned and welded to the frame. 


The tank is mounted. I had to throw on a set of clubmans to see how it would look. This is the XS650 that I traded an old utility trailer for in 2010. Ugly, but ran decent. I then found cam chain guide pieces in the sump filter, which needs the engine removed to fix. When that happens I'll sandblast and paint the frame. The original plan was a scrambler/roadster, but I picked up the '79 XS650 since then, so might go with clip-ons and rearsets on this one.


I also test fit the exhaust system from the swap meet. I like it, but might shorten it up a bit, and give it more upsweep. The gauges and headlight will likely be lowered also.

today

Out riding today I took some pictures inspired by The Bridge Club. I put the thermal flow shocks on that I picked up at the swap meet last weekend. They are a nice improvement for sure. They are much less harsh than the stockers, and really soak up the bumps. I haven't installed the fork brace yet. It might be pretty close to the fender at full travel, so I'll have to see about that.

I like

the swap meet

The vintage motorcycle swap meet at the Boone County Fairgrounds had a very nice turnout. The indoor vendor area was filled, with some vendors outside also. I'll be back next year for sure. I didn't take any pictures at the swap meet, but should have as there where some very nice bikes for sale. Here is what I bought, on my shop porch after getting home.

I picked up a nice Norton peashooter style XS650 exhaust, and early TT500 forks and seat. I also got an XT500 rear wheel, as I'd like to go with spoke wheels on my SR500.

For my DT3, I got a cool K&W fork brace and a set of MX360 thermal flow external reservoir shocks. The neat thing about those shocks is that they can be rebuilt. 


This flat track seat base was just too neat to pass up, and very solid. It fits an XT500 frame nicley.




I picked up a couple tanks for future use. One is an XS360 tank, and the other is a '71 or so BSA A65 tank. The BSA tank just has a nice slim look to it.

I like to use ebay, but it can't beat a swap meet for fun and deals, and there were deals to be had. The two seats I bought where $10 each, and the most expensive thing was the XS650 exhaust system at $65. It's great to be able to handle the part, know exactly what you are getting, and no shipping costs.