1981 Yamaha XS650 Full Custom Built Cafe Racer.
I never thought that I would be selling my custom XS650 Cafe Racer, that I built for myself as a keeper. I rarely build motorcycles for customers, so here is your chance to own a true gem. Multiple show winner, and recently featured at the 2017 One Moto show, this bike is truly full custom and one of the cleanest XS650’s that you will find.
I started out with a un-molested, one owner, garaged XS650 with less than 2400 Original miles on it. I meticulously fabbed the sub-frame, and shaved and smoothed all the clutter from the original stock frame. I formed the steel rear cowl, and attached it via quick release pins for that race vibe. I added a boss to the frame to mount the steering stabilizer and a added a host of other subtle mods to the frame as well. The truly custom double stitched leather seat also houses the professional fuse box and race car style disconnect switch. Wormholes are built in the seatpan and frame, so no wires or zipties are visible. There is also a wormhole to the rear cowl so you could add an accessory phone charger..etc..
The frame was then professionally powder-coated in VW Black to make it stand out more than just a standard black. All white parts are also powder-coated in a subtle white flake just to catch the eye compared to a standard white. The PPG paint job was done in Spokane Washington by Tommy Two-Tone and really sets the bike apart from the rest. The headlight is a Fog light from a 1936 Ford fire truck that has been converted to 12 volt. Tailight is from throttle addiction, but has been polished to a mirror like finished.
Suspension up front is XS650 35mm forks modified with progressive fork springs and properly internally lowered 2″. the adjustable steering dampner lets you fine tune your steering input, and the custom made fork brace keeps everything square and in line. Rear suspension is provided by RJS air/Hydraulic shocks. Tires are nearly new Pirelli Diablo Scorpions which allows this bike to feel like its riding on rails. it turns in like a modern super bike making it a real blast to ride. Braking up front is handled by XS850 brake rotors which I custom drilled as well as a XS850 master cylinder. Everything is safety wired as I did have ambitions of taking this bike to the track. Rear brake is a stock XS650 drum unit with new shoes and springs. Custom Stainless brake lines, and custom One Off Sandcast brackets retain the brake lines without the need for zipties. The chain sprockets have been converted to 520 and a 32 tooth rear lets this bike purr at freeway speeds without revving high. A one off sandcast plate bracket/chainguard really catches the eye and completes the look. I fabricated, turned and polished the knurled pegs and kick starter as well as the brake and shift lever.
The engine is a low mile stock bore 650cc, and was recently freshened up with a new top end, valve job, seals and gaskets as well as a new cam chain. A Pamco ignition has been added as well as an aftermarket High output coil for ultimate reliability. The charging system is also stock and is in excellent condition providing plenty of power and years of future service. This is kick start only, and the stock starter has been deleted. In place of the stock starter is a fresh 12V sealed battery in a custom box hidden well out of sight. Being kick start only, rest assured this bike is timed and tuned properly and always starts in 1 to 2 easy kicks and has never left me stranded. To save your hand during traffic commutes, I added a Hydraulic clutch and 1 piece push rod making shifting a breeze. I custom made the high mounted 1.5″ exhaust pipes and wrapped them in white exhaust wrap. The fresh MMM VM34 carburetors are properly jetted and tuned for 2500′ by Michael Morse, and topped off with a set of custom velocity stacks which still retain small air filters for those wet PNW days. Side covers valve covers and nearly every bolt on the engine has been polished, and the custom One Off sand cast DGRS alternator cover seals the deal.
All in all, I can assure you, you will not find a better more solid XS650 cafe racer on ebay. This thing turns heads everywhere I go and turns gas stops into long conversations with new friends. It is fast and fun and handles like a dream. Again it is my personal bike, built for me so no expense has been spared. As a custom fabricator, everything has been done properly to meet my own crazy standards. The bike needs nothing I consider it a 9.5/10 and she is ready to rip. I do ride the bike on a daily basis, and I could only find 2 small flaws which are barley noticeable. I prefer to disclose all flaws as I believe honesty is the best policy. The gas tank has a very little spot where the clear coat did something funky during paint. I was going to color sand this spot, but never got around to it as it is barley noticeable. Also the edge of the cowl has a very, very small ding in it where something heavy in my backpack made contact with it. Again barley noticeable and the last 2 pics show this detail. Otherwise I would consider this bike a 10 out of 10.
Price: Auction
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Location: San Diego, California, United States
