New to the board and the 650's

[thegreek82]

Hey what's goin on everybody, the name is Alex. I just purchased an 82 XS 650 Heritage Special, plans are uncertain but I'm leaning towards a hard tail bobber, this is my first bike build, I've done multiple cars, trucks, quads etc and would love to hear some pointers. Thanks a lot!
Safe ridin

[pamcopete]

thegreek82,

Well, get the '82 Special running first and then substitute a couple of pieces of angle iron for the rear shocks. Ride it around a few days like that before you decide to make a hard tail out of it.

[Tom Graham]

welcome Alex,

The XS is a great bike but it is an older bike and subject to high maintenance. You are going to learn allot just like the rest of us.

I'm with Pete on sawing off teh rear suspension. Build a bike with struts because they are traditiional and do not ruin the frame. You can always go back to shocks then. Steve McQueen was all about speed over any terain. An XS is a great platform for a do anything hooligan ride but not if the rear suspension is gone for good.

Tom Graham

[thegreek82]

thanks for the advice guys, ive decided to keep the suspension after taking around a friends hardtail. ill be sending the frame to PA to have a brat style kit installed as soon as i get it stripped down. It is a very fun bike but im still a fan of sitting a little bit lower. high maintenance for me is no problem, i go through it everyday. I enjoy having something i have to pay attention to and keep up on, seems like everyone and their mother has a fuel injected harley. Id like to see if there are ignition upgrades out there so i can clean it up when i re-wire it. I plan on boxing up the area directly below the seat (between the seat rail and the cross brace above the swing arm mount) and putting all my electronics in there as well as a key switch coming out of the right side. Thanks again for the advice guys, if you have any more im all ears.