xs650 bobber

My journey to build a Yamaha xs650 bobber M/C
What do you think of this old harley tank? It’s oversized for a “bobber” tank, but I do like the lines of it and the extra gas capacity. But the gap between the tanks is kinda ugly right now. Maybe I can cover it and put gauges there? Or switches/idiot lights?

What do you think of this old harley tank? It’s oversized for a “bobber” tank, but I do like the lines of it and the extra gas capacity. But the gap between the tanks is kinda ugly right now. Maybe I can cover it and put gauges there? Or switches/idiot lights?

tumblrbot asked: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?

yo mom

Gotta take all this junk off…NOW!!! nasty home made seat oversized rear fender from god knows what dented and dragging harley mufflers snarl of wire under the seat

Gotta take all this junk off…NOW!!!

  • nasty home made seat
  • oversized rear fender from god knows what
  • dented and dragging harley mufflers
  • snarl of wire under the seat
So, here’s the ‘82 Yamaha XS650 I picked up this weekend. I’ve got to admit, I’ve got a bit of buyer’s remorse, once I realized the amount of work it’ll take. Yet, it’s exactly what I wanted - a project that was already hardtailed. I’m really only disappointed with the weld quality on the frame, it looks like it was done by a brain damaged monkey. I’m a former welder, so this stuff is critical to me. So, not sure how to proceed. I don’t actually own a welding machine anymore, and didn’t want to buy one for this project. So, in the short term, I’m planning on cleaning it up as best I can with my grinder and flap disc, and see if I can start to feel better about it. I’ll probably have to hire someone to do some welding on it, or rent a welder myself soon. We’ll see.

So, here’s the ‘82 Yamaha XS650 I picked up this weekend. I’ve got to admit, I’ve got a bit of buyer’s remorse, once I realized the amount of work it’ll take. Yet, it’s exactly what I wanted - a project that was already hardtailed. I’m really only disappointed with the weld quality on the frame, it looks like it was done by a brain damaged monkey.

I’m a former welder, so this stuff is critical to me.

So, not sure how to proceed. I don’t actually own a welding machine anymore, and didn’t want to buy one for this project. So, in the short term, I’m planning on cleaning it up as best I can with my grinder and flap disc, and see if I can start to feel better about it.

I’ll probably have to hire someone to do some welding on it, or rent a welder myself soon. We’ll see.