New to the Forum - Looking for XS in North GA Area

[novanator]

Hello All,

Just joined the forum today and am excited to get into the XS650's. I'm a welder by trade with machine background. I specialize in many welding processes but enjoy TIG or SMAW welding and am interested in customizing an XS650. I don't have much riding experience but am excited to learn the new challenge. I'm looking for an XS650 in the north GA area and am willing to travel (reasonably) to check out any prospects. I'm looking for a bike that runs with a title to start and planning to bob it (hardtail etc.). I appreciate in advanee all your help with the upcoming project. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks again!

[pamcopete]

novanator,

Do us all a favor and build something other than another lookalike hard tail. If you are a professional welder, then you do not need to practice on a XS650. Instead, build something unique that still has a rear suspension.

To see what I mean, try this. When you find your XS650 and get it running, just remove the rear shocks and replace them with a couple of pieces of angle iron to get the feel of a hard tail before you chop it up.

[novanator]

Thanks for the input.

Question: I see most threads describing hardtail mods and I do like the stance and appearance of the bobber bikes but I haven't seen much about modifying swing arms. Is this more difficult than hardtailing while keeping the low stance? Whatever my project is, I build it to last and be used but not at the expense of a tail bone. I'm open for suggestions all around, as you guys have put in the hours and gained the experience. Thanks again.

[grizld1]

Here's the bottom line, nova: you can have a motorcycle or a fashion accessory, and it's up to you to decide which you want. Ground clearance in corners is an issue with these machines, and if you lower your bike you can forget about aggressive cornering. Those of us who care about handling wind up raising the rear an inch or so and dropping the clamps on the fork tubes by around half an inch. If you're after a fashion accessory but want to spare your kidneys and spine, you can install shorter shocks and drop the clamps to match.