Comments on: 1981 XS heritage special, FONG BROS

By: norm younger

norm younger — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:49:43 +0000

Great bike but i think it would have been better contrast with the frame oxidized and the tins painted

By: ranken

ranken — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:09:40 +0000

what diagram did u use i have same year can you send me a diagram need to get her wired and ridding

By: Seth

Seth — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:22:53 +0000

This is my style of bike. I build similar creations. I do a lot of rusting and natural application of patina. I consider it my specialty. I like to know that there are some people who still enjoy the thrill of making something look 60 years old. Ill be putting my bike up shortly, Im in the middle of a springer build right now but when shes done and on her, ill send in some pictures huh

By: fong bro

fong bro — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:40:57 +0000

Anthony, can you send a picture of the frame?
Geezerman, Thank you.
Brett, no, just the 2 petcocks, no other tap.
Blackwidow- it’s done (by me anyway) when I want to run a drum front. Xs 360/400 parts are way cheaper.

By: anthony taglienti

anthony taglienti — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:18:58 +0000

hey there you do great work and really love your style.would like to know if you guy,s can hardtail a 1980 honda cm400t.i know you guy,s are into xs650 ,s but my project is a honda for now to chop & bob.or any info on who up my way might.i live in newark delaware..thank,s for any info..keep on chopping.

By: Geezerman

Geezerman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:23:42 +0000

Sweet !!
love the pipes.
Not a woncer that it is so popular

By: brettj

brettj — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:28:29 +0000

rad bike. Was thinking of picking up a low tunnel sporty tank like the one on the bike. From the pics I’ve seen the tank seems to have a 3/8 and two 1/4 petcock taps?? Is that correct?

By: blackwidow

blackwidow — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:11:15 +0000

What was the purpose or advantage of changing the front forks from another bike or why was it done??

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:27:55 +0000

I understand this bike has an Avon Speedmaster on the front but could you help me out with what kind of rear tire is on this bike? Thanks.

By: Rusty Nutz

Rusty Nutz — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:56:24 +0000

Good to see this bike again. This is the one that got me interested in bobbed XS650’s. The Fong Bros are legendary. My build will be a Fong clone.

By: EJ

EJ — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:16:56 +0000

I really like the style of your bikes. I want to add a hardtail to my ’79 special but leave the side supports in it like you have. It doesn’t seem like you guys do hard tail conversions for customers. Can you give me any details about adding a hardtail using the side supports? It doesn’t seem like any other companies that add hardtails can/have done that before. Thanks.

By: Ted

Ted — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:58:20 +0000

In reply to Bryan. Bryan, you can use a sportster tank with one pet cock just splice the line with a T adapter and run it to the carbs. it works fine. I've been running the same setup on my bike for a year and a half. All the other information you're looking for is already been covered in the Fong brother's other posts.... just reread!! Send in pictures when you get done. Thanks

By: THOMAS

THOMAS — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:45:42 +0000

IM LOOKING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE FONG BROS DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW I CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM? IM LOOKING TO BUY A 650 TO BUILD LOOKING FOR A ROLLER OR SUMTHN CHEAP AND RUNNING ANY HELP THE GET IN TOUCH WITH THE FONGS WOULD BE GREAT. LOVE THE SITE!!!! PLEASE E MAIL ANY INFO TO DRIFTMONKEY14@YAHOO.COM

By: Denis (BJF)

Denis (BJF) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:43:50 +0000

Daniel, Thanks man! We’ll be riding the Pete Leach charity ride in Baltimore on April 19th.

By: Daniel Brooks

Daniel Brooks — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:20:02 +0000

…Or I could just drive to baltimore from VA to check out any of your bikes. I dont really care about going to a show.

By: Daniel Brooks

Daniel Brooks — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:13:20 +0000

I’ve been looking through your bikes here on xs650chopper….your bikes are sick and your style is awesome! I live in northern VA. Are there any shows coming up in the VA/MD/DC area that any of your bikes will be at? I’d love to see them in person. keep em comin!

By: Denis (Billy Joe Fong)

Denis (Billy Joe Fong) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:17:57 +0000

You can run one petcock or two. It doesn’t matter. However, to answer your question, yes the gold bike has 2 petcocks. All you have to do is make sure you put a “T” in the line so it can go to both carbs if you run a single petcock. The primer “62” Fong Bros bike in the other post has been running one petcock for about 2 years now. The only problem you may have, is if the petcock is not on the end of the tank, sometimes the angle of the tank will cause you to run out of gas even when you have gas because the gas will sit below the petcock.
The forks, triple tree (clamps), axle and hub on the silver bike are all from an xs360, which is the same as an xs400. In order for it to work on the 650, you have to change the steering stem, The one on a 650 is longer. To change it, you grind the weld off of the bottom of the lower tree, and knock the stem out, Do the same to the 650 tree and weld in the 650 stem into the 360/400 tree.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I check the board usually once a day or so.
Denis

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:38:12 +0000

Billy Joe Fong,
On the bike in the Horse that tank has two petcocks. Does this one? Sorry for the dumb question but this is my first build and got a sportster tank….will the one work, or do I need to bung the tank out for another one???

Also you got that drum front on that bike from a 360 right? Is the axle the same? The article in Horse says you put a 360 front end on there???

Thanks again bro, Ive got that issue of the Horse out in the garage and show it to people when they ask what im going for.

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:54:06 +0000

In reply to Bryan. hopefully coming soon.

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:53:22 +0000

In reply to Denis (Billy Joe Fong). I plan on posting the silver bike, but was waiting to get some words on it.

By: Denis (Billy Joe Fong)

Denis (Billy Joe Fong) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:18:05 +0000

I sent in some pics of the silver bike, but they didn’t post them.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:20:39 +0000

I would love to see more pics of the bike on the bottom that was in the Horse!!!

By: jesse coyne

jesse coyne — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:08:47 +0000

put a lil bit of that white wall on that front tire to top it off perfect!!!

By: trucker920

trucker920 — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:23:29 +0000

Dude….love it. I had a ’75 XS650 Special back in the late 70’s. Next to my current Valkyrie, it was the best damn bike I’ve ever had. Cool.

By: seedboy

seedboy — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:20:09 +0000

nice bike! like to see more? that is hot!!! yamaha all the way

By: nick

nick — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:12:22 +0000

cool keep up the good work !!!!

By: Joey

Joey — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:42:18 +0000

I saw these guys in the horse mag while back.. cool bike. I like the metalflake rust look..