This build started with a couple of barn find Xs. I found 90 min from my house. I ended up going to pick up one and ended up buying two from the guy. A 78′ & a 79′.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build.jpeg)
This will be my second and third bike builds. My first build I did on a 73 last year. It took me about a little over a year from start to finish. This one took me about five months.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-2.jpeg)
Since I had just recently finished the first build a couple of months before I started this one, it made it a lot easier because I knew where to get all of the products and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the bike.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-3.jpeg)
This bike has a TC bros hard tail and forward controls.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-4.jpeg)
Custom, lighting brackets, battery box, and ignition box were made by myself. I used a Scrap Honda cab registration box for the key switch. Installed a new Boyer electronic ignition.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-5.jpeg)
Rebuilt the carbs. New master cylinder. Custom seat pan I made.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-6.jpeg)
Though the engine already had good compression I ended up doing a Top end engine rebuild because I had a Leak out of the head gasket.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-7.jpeg)
This was the first time I ever opened up an engine in my life.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-8.jpeg)
I did a ton of research, and I really had fun with it. The new gas tank I had sealed with red coat at a local radiator shop.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-9.jpeg)
The rear fender and mounts were made by me.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-10.jpeg)
My first build, I went way over budget because a lot of things I bought and damaged and couldn’t return, they wouldn’t work with the bike or I didn’t like them EXT.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-11.jpeg)
With this build, I was planning on using some of the parts I had purchased for the first bike which I did.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-12.jpeg)
I’ve been keeping a tally of my total cost. Just because I wanted to know where I was at.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-13.jpeg)
Once I got to the end of the build, where it was ready to strip down for paint, and Powder, I decided that I didn’t want to blow up my budget again hiring someone else to do the powder and paint.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-14.jpeg)
I ended up choosing to do chassis paint on the frame. Used POR 15 rust encapsulating chassis primer and chassis black paint.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-15.jpeg)
It ended up coming out really nice, more durable even than I thought. Next, I decided I was going to tackle painting the tins. First time I have ever painted something this size.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-16.jpeg)
I made a small paint booth at my shop and purchased rattle cans with candy root beer paint.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-18.jpeg)
Now I know normally with candy paint you would put a silver metallic undercoat, I ended up just using gray automotive self etching primer.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-19.jpeg)
When sprayed the candy paint, it ended up coming out really nice, but it does not look candy.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-20.jpeg)
All in all, I’m still very happy with the way the bike came out. I finished it just before our first snowfall here in New Jersey so I haven’t been able to ride it since it’s all been put back together more than a few miles.
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-21.jpeg)
It’s for the nice weather to come so I can take this thing for a nice rip.
Submitted by Mike Pecoraro
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-22.jpeg)
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-23.jpeg)
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-24.jpeg)
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-25.jpeg)
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-26.jpeg)
![](https://xs650chopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/78-bobber-build-27.jpeg)