It's all about the "fun factor"....Yamaha=cheap fun...Truimph=fun to look at.....Harley(evo motor)=fun to be with a group of divorced orthodontists...BMW=fun to take short rides (coast to coast)...Ninja=fun to remove skin.....choose your own poison!
I think this one is awesome. It is based on a very recent evo Sportster: http://www.cas4.com/BIKE-PROJECTS/2002-TIML-EVO-XL-RIGID/2002-timl-evo-xl-rigid.htm
Oh, and Donzie- I don't think anyone makes bolt-on hardtail's for Yammies, I've always heard you have to modify a triumph weld-on hardtail, or just make your own. (or score an old amen-savior frame... Or however you spell that!)
One of the guys here at work brought in a couple pages he printed off the net of a bike with a V8-60. It looks cool, but I'd hate to ride it on Michigan roads, OUCH! Jason
A chopper is as real as you decide to make it, no matter what engine you use, if it's rigid lean and scary. No offense, but I think that sportster is hideous. Skinny front whitewalls aspire to be velveeta, the shifter looks retarded, and it looks like they tried to slap a bunch of "greaser" details on a bike without paying any attention to the sum of the parts. And metal grips would go great with a Gold's Gym t-shirt and a Taz tattoo.
Here's that V860 Bike - a bit pricey and it's gotta be heavy - hope ya don't drop it! V860 Bike Gotta sound cool - like a retro Boss Hoss, eh?
Ya know it's gotta be pricey if Leno is looking at it!! Thanks for all the info and the pics. I've already started my search for a good running but cosmedically challanged XS650 Yamaha.
I called a buddy last night that has owned several 650 Yamahas (Hatch now owns one of his old ones). I told him I was on a quest for one. He called me tonight and said that one he had recently sold to a friend is up for grabs. '76 XS650. Looks real good (I checked it out already). The tank has been repainted black, chrome fenders are nice, as are the forks. 16" wheel in the rear, 19" front (chrome spokes front and rear). Starts and runs good. Nice throaty sound. I would end up removing a lot of the tin and probably sell it on Ebay to recoup some of my investment. He wants $650. for it. I don't think that's out of line. I don't know if I should look a little further or snag this one.
I bought this XS650 Yamaha in May. Got it for $150 Cdn. It runs like a top! Now that I have the Vulcan 800 to ride, I plan to chop this one. I have a hardtail bobber style in mind.
If you are looking for a Triumph, here's some SPAM http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2429346056&category=10368&rd=1
I loved this post. I've had a Yam 650 for several months. I haven't done much with it. I'm too busy with the rod and a vespa (the vespa is done now). I hope someone will post some picture of creating a custom hard tail. I have some ideas. I was thinking that rear tire needs to be pushed back about 3 inches and the frame lowered. I'm not sure about the dimensions but i have and idea of how to create a make shift frame jig to keep everything inline. First I would order the remove the swing arm and add 3 inches to the length. Then I would install it back on the bike. This would insure that the rear wheel keeps its alignment. I would install the 16 in. wheel and tire I plan on running. Then I would lower the frame of the bike until I get the height and angle I wanted. I would then weld tubing from the down tubes to the the ends of the swing arm. This will insure that everything is still aligned when you cut the frame. Now I would cut the frame and fab the hardtail. When you're done with the fab, you can cut the tubes you welded on to the down tubes and remove the parts of swingarm away. This seems like a simple and easy way to insure that everything remains in alignment. What do you think of this plan?
Ok, ya kinda you lost me there but I'm not a fabricator. Here's a pic I found on the web site listed on the pic. Does that help?
A guy named Bob Scogin Made a hardtail for his XS650, He used to have a website with diagrams (etc.) That explained most of it... I looked, but I can't find it... (Although maybe my searching skills suck?)
I found this link to a custom frame that can be used with a 650 Yamaha. It may give you some ideas on building one. Rigid frame.
if it runs good and you can ride it away $650 is great. it's hard to get a decent running bike for a buck a cc anymore
I know people that have done that, antichrysler, and it worked great for them. Basically just use the swingarm as a jig and cut it out after you weld in the pieces to form the hardtail using the swingarm's axle plates.
[ QUOTE ] It's all about the "fun factor"....Yamaha=cheap fun...Truimph=fun to look at.....Harley(evo motor)=fun to be with a group of divorced orthodontists...BMW=fun to take short rides (coast to coast)...Ninja=fun to remove skin.....choose your own poison! [/ QUOTE ] i agree with you on all accounts except the triumph one. i had a 63 (more or less) rigid triumph that i rode for about 4 years. i didn't treat that bike very well at all and it was a dependable little fella. as for the chopper thing, i don't dig long front ends and hippy looking crap either. i still dig the bobber looking bikes, but my main bike weakness now is old style cafe bikes. i'll be acquiring my dad's old '71 R75/5 from it's second owner and it's going to get clubman bars rearsets and reverse cone megaphone mufflers among other things! sweet!
I know I've posted pics before, but here's my xs 400. I did the stretch the swingarm. Lengthened it about 7". It's on hold for a bit, but hopefully I'll get back to it soon.
how far did you ride on it, and was it used as everyday transportation? You might've just gotten lucky.
[ QUOTE ] how far did you ride on it, and was it used as everyday transportation? You might've just gotten lucky. [/ QUOTE ] used the thing damn near every day to get me to work and also on longer runs on the weekends. it leaked oil from every possible orifice so i never changed it..just added to it when i needed to. it was a good bike until one of the oil lines on the bottom of the engine fell off going down the interstate. i didn't get it shut off in time to save it.....R.I.P.
[ QUOTE ] That is a bad ass bike Mofo, whos frame? Looks like a tallon, real nice look to it. -Jesse [/ QUOTE ] it's a frame from Canada that i traded some crap for, I dont really know too much about it. it's pretty nice but I had to do some work on it to get it straight... Tallon makes great stuff, but just a word of warning: I have been waiting 8 MONTHS for the parts I need to finish the bike.
Yep, Casey Tallon DOES make cool shit, But he'll make ya wait for it! Not to "hijack", but does anybody know what year (in CA) bikes are required to have blinkers?
Greaseball, 1980 and on is mandatory. Before 1980 most OEM's bikes didn't come from the fac. with them, they were a dealer installed add on. In 1980 is when some one in DC passed a bill saying that ALL bikes imported or manufactured to/in the USA must have turn indicators. (Sorry for the history lesson but it's good stuff to know) -Jesse
I'm looking at a chopper frame with a 45 degree rake. Using the stock forks from a mid '70s Yamaha 650, does anyone know how many inches I'll have to extend them? I'm planning on a 19-21" front wheel and 16" rear.
if you haven't already, check out British Cycle Supply's frames. They say triumph, but they're generic rigids that can be used for just about anything, and they're supposed to be well made. About $400, which is good if you want to just buy a frame. http://www.britcycle.com/
This bike was at the Cheater's Show and "BAD ASS" just can't do this bike justice... Makes me want one for sure.
Before buying a Tallon frame, you may want to check this thread on the Honda chopper board. http://pub132.ezboard.com/fhondachopperfrm4.showMessage?topicID=6144.topic
Some great ideas here. I found this one on the net. It's not a hardtail but I like the stance. I'm wondering what they used for the longer swing arm? Mounting the shock forward sets the back in down nice but still gives you a more comfortable ride. I could see doing this.
The Jalopy Journal
