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XS650 enduros
- Joe C
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XS650 enduros was created by Joe C
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By November 2011 I had finished a 'shoe polish' restoration on it. I went through some mechanical items and did some cosmetics, and then rode the bike like this for awhile.
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The bike was fine like that, but I wanted something a little different, and started making some changes. By September 2013 I had swapped to spoke wheels with an 18" drum brake wheel in the rear, mounted a AT/CT tank and a '72-'73 Kawasaki G5 seat, shortened the rear fender, made a skid plate, put on a Bates style headlight, and a few other changes. Really simple stuff, but totally changed the look and feel of the bike.
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The bike had a neat rough and ready desert sled vibe to it, but I wanted a more refined enduro look, so back to work. I did some more mechanical work on it, and also did a paint job, and mounted a DT1 front fender. Here it is by August 2014. I'm super happy with it now, but I'm also sure I'll be making new changes.
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- Joe C
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Replied by Joe C on topic XS650 enduros
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I finally got into the bike to fix the engine problem, and decided to make a cafe racer. Here it is by May 2013.
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The bike was really neat as a cafe racer. The problem, I liked riding my '79 enduro so much more, and I wanted to do another XS650 enduro, but take things a bit farther than the '79, so back to work. I finished the '75 enduro in August 2016. I used the '79 as basis for what I wanted, and what to improve upon. The '79 is more for the road, and the '75 is made to be better suited off the road. I did a skid plate like the one on the '79, and used a AT/CT tank, but also went with a AT/CT seat. Other mods include a Radian swingarm swap, '78 XT500 forks, 21" front wheel, YZ twin leading shoe front brake, XT500 side stand swap for more ground clearance, and I made some high pipes. The front fender is a Preston Petty Baja, and the rear is a shortened stock fender like the '79.
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- Scootern29
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- Enduronut
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Replied by Enduronut on topic XS650 enduros
Kermit gives them two thumbs up!
.
Don't aim . . . and you'll hit your target every time!
A wise man knows . . . he isn't!
Failure squared . . . equals success!
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- Makotosun
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Replied by Makotosun on topic XS650 enduros
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- James Hart
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Replied by James Hart on topic XS650 enduros
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- vincenthdfan
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Replied by vincenthdfan on topic XS650 enduros
I love the badge tank era (own a few of em) and love XS650's (own too many!!).
This is the best way to blend both worlds into one....now where did I stash that spare CT-1 tank at??

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- 1971DT250
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Replied by 1971DT250 on topic XS650 enduros
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- KennyandtheJets
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Replied by KennyandtheJets on topic XS650 enduros
Other than that this thread has made you one of my favourite builders.. If I won the lotto I would spend my time making bikes like that !
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- Panther49
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Replied by Panther49 on topic XS650 enduros
And what is not shown is the BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS that went into this, I bet! (Not to mention KACHING!)
Do you ride them a lot?
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