my 1981 xj650 true hardtail project

That is awesome work. Looks good.

 

Thanks! i'm taking it to my buddy's surfboard repair shop on Monday and i'm going to fiberglass it with a 4oz fabric and a 2 part poly or epoxy. The fiberglass will be clear when it's done, so you wont see it at all. This will protect it from the sun, heat, and moisture and keep it from cracking.

 

Ok ,I get it now. That'll look nice, Maybe put a polished brass ring around the light.

 

here's a small update. Got the exhaust pipes bent. I managed to use the stock header tubes, and maintain better ground clearance than the stock 4 into 2 system. It was a bitch to bend them to fit in the tight area where i needed them to go, and i'm glad i bought extra pipe. I did have to remove a tube in the frame that i had welded in on the bottom across the 2 lower chainstays, but i will just weld in another one a couple inches further back.
The pipes are sagging a little in one of the pictures because they arent clamped yet, but they are all even. The exhaust isnt done yet, i'm making sort of a muffler that will go inbetween the tire and the motor, in the space where the pipes end. There will be 4 2" exhaust tips coming out of the muffler, 2 poining out each side of the frame. It should look pretty cool when it's done, if it comes out how i have in envisioned.
The goal is for it to not be too loud.

 

update:
Got some work done on the headlight housing. I got it stained and fiberglassed. I also made the headlight retainer ring. There will be some brass spikes or something of the sorts that will thread onto the studs to hold the ring on. I also started working on the speedometer. The plate is all machined and anodized/polished. All i have left to do is make the lens and lens cap, make a new needle, and install some hardware.

 

Looking good wish I had your talent !

 

In my mind motorcycle building has always been an art, and you are a true artist.

 

thanks alot for the kind words guys!

 

Vanimal how is the spoke rim swap going?

 

as soon as i get it, i'll let you know!

 

jeez, this is really nice

 

Hey, Schoot, definitely no cookie cutter going on here.
Nice work, Van. Excellent. This should turn out to be one of if not the best build on this site.

 

haha great, no presure or anything! j/k


Thanks alot guys, appreciate the comments, it's my motivation!

 

Beautiful bike man, just found this post and read through the entire thing, beautiful bike, beautiful proportions, and most of all, exceptional craftsmanship. Love it!! Will be watching this thread from now on.

 

No pressure, buddy. Just keep doin' whacha doin'...

 

Here's some pics of my pain in the ass exhaust project, mid stage. I machined some flanges and welded them on, then i started working on the muffler. I got a few sides welded up so far. The big holes are where the exhaust outlets will shoot out, about 4 inches long, 2 on each side, pointed up and back at a slight angle. The muffler will be baffled inside.
I got high heat gloss black powdercoat to do it all in.

 

that looks very trick.looks like youve got this modifying malarkey down to a very fine art.i for one am very very impressed.

 

Thanks dude!
I dont know about fine art though, my welds are kinda fugly lol
I've been getting alot better so i think when i get the bike built and then stripped for paint, i'm going to redo most of the welds on the frame. Shouldnt take very long.

 

love your work so far but if u decide to start machineing triple trees i would love to buy a set from you.

 

wow, I've gotta sub to this thread. Nice work, man!