Comments on: GROUP EFFORT

By: vern sowers

vern sowers — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:34:06 +0000

great looking build love the colors and just plane love everything about it keep up the great builds and look forward to seeing more from you

By: kenb

kenb — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 05:47:19 +0000

Yea Bob hope you get this sometime as I don’t look back very often at this old listing, any way.
I used sportster type front and rear mounted the tab type up front off the top tree and the rear I in corperate them into the sparto so from the rear there are 3 similar lens at the rear if you would like I would be willing to shoot ya some after shots via email I can be reached at kenbourgo@hotmail.com feel free to contact me any time hope I can be of help,later.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:12:40 +0000

I too have to put on turnsignals for legal issues. Do you have a picture of how you did it and what lights you used. Thanks

By: Glenda

Glenda — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:03:20 +0000

nice bike tho

By: Glenda

Glenda — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:58:58 +0000

ken needs to button up his shirt 🙂

By: shawn

shawn — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:42:12 +0000

man this is a sweet bike…black, simple and really cool looking!

By: Ron

Ron — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:07:39 +0000

Where did you get that rear fender? I am have trouble finding one that fits my stock wheel properly (the radius) thanks!! my email is rparkinson@hughes.net

By: kenb

kenb — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:31:42 +0000

R.C sorry about the no call or email but I don’t have ether.
Here is my email feel free to contact me kenbourgo@hotmail.com

By: R.C

R.C — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:58:53 +0000

Ken drop me a call/email sometime.

By: Blackwidow

Blackwidow — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:46:09 +0000

You guys are right about the labor of love I really like doing it, it’s alot of fun and kills time. I like where the liscense plate is mounted looks really clean

By: kenb

kenb — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:45:27 +0000

Dennis I will email you thkz Kenny B

By: Dennis MacKenzie

Dennis MacKenzie — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:42:03 +0000

I am in the south Everett area, near Boeing where I work second shift. I have everything available since I traded for most of what I have including a couple of Yamaha 400 dirt bkies, along with the sp-500 and the gn-400’s. lordeoin@hotmail.com SP-500 has drums on both ends.

By: kenb

kenb — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:58:59 +0000

Dennis,
Da you are in evertt wa.
Bit slow quick to wrench Ken B

By: kenb

kenb — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:55:51 +0000

Dennis are you in the washinton state area??
I’am wondering also is the sp being toss to the choppin block?
Or ya wanting to part it out?
whats the plan ? Ilike the 21 & 18 inch combo, are they drum brakes? Thkz Ken B

By: Dennis MacKenzie

Dennis MacKenzie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:45:52 +0000

KB, In fact, I also have a complete, except for headlight SP500 that has the 21 & 18 combo. I have a titled 79? XS650 that needs complete rewiring and carb degunking, along with 2 more frames and parts engines. Now if I could find time when the rest of the house isn’t sleeping & of course extra money. LOL

By: Squirrel

Squirrel — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:20:03 +0000

Hi. I’m from argentina and i want to build a bobber but i got a question. Is the frame from de xs 400 the same as the xs 650? it’s the same with a bigger engine? Please if someone can answer me mi mail is hc_sxe6@hotmail.com and if someone wanna talk by msn is ok for me.

Thanks everyone!

By: kenb

kenb — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:50:30 +0000

Dennis at this point I think I need nothing I was in need for a kickstarter, the other parts are not perpriatary thank goodness.
So thank you for the offer, I may down the road or build should I say. Not unless you have the 21 in front and the 18 rear of the sp or dr? I picked up some ankronts thinking to use them then I priced the spokes and not at this time, not in the budget be in as Iam pitin a hand made alum tank through the frame. Thkz Kenny B

P.S whats ya buildin

By: Dennis MacKenzie

Dennis MacKenzie — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Like the XS-650.
I know what you mean about the GN-400 parts. I got a wiring diagram from a German website. I have both he mag wheel front and the spokes on the other roller. DR400 engines are basicly the same except they are black. What parts do you need, I have 2 engines that turn over, 2 frames, 1 spoke rear wheel, etc.
Everett, wa

By: John Ferguson

John Ferguson — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:30:57 +0000

Ken

Get after that radian, Those are awesome looking motors. Will be one in my future down the road somewhere! Have one of the largest salvage yards here in Denver that has several but without titles, means I have to build my own chassis and then I have to deal with the EPA b.s. of one custom bike per owner in your lifetime crap.

Turkey Down

By: R.C

R.C — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:01:18 +0000

Is a kick ass scooter no matter how its looked at………
I just got back from Cle Elem with two more. call me aft holliday. IF yor up to it help me get a gameplan…………

By: kenb

kenb — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:03:46 +0000

Jonh you are a man of passion FFFFFFF>>>>>> that is a supreme
example of what a maxim can look like…
Some of the fellas in the shop will dig it as far as Iam concered I want to build one also with a 650 yama radian 1986 so yes I like very much!!!

Feast Like it maybe your last enjoy the company you keep,
keep the passion burning, Kenny B

p.s Thanks for the new site cool Iam headed back now!! see ya

By: John Ferguson

John Ferguson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:15:44 +0000

Ken

You are right about that labor of love stuff. If you build one for yourself you put way to much time and money into it to ever get it out! Here’s a good example: built a 1980 650 Maxim for my son. Everything on it custom fabricated outside of the wheels and engine. About 400 hrs.=$12000.00. $3000.00 in materials=$15000.00. Sold to a guy in Evergreen Colo for $6000.00. NIIIICE profit margin ehh! Negative $9000.00 Whooa there KIMOSABE! Go to: chopperfix.com ( forum heading: Inspiration & eye candy )>( topic: non-650 Yamis )> scroll to Author: designsincoldsteel. That’s what were talkin about… LABOR of LOVE!!

Have a great Thanksgiving Dinner all!!
John
Designs in Cold Steel

By: kenb

kenb — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:53:17 +0000

John I think for myself it has to be a labor of love, like washin dishes, doin the familys laundry and such for a fella like me.

Iam new to the chop arena so getrdone is howslowIgo well I have fun!!! KEEP SMILIN dont let the s.o.b get ya down!!

By: John Ferguson

John Ferguson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:09:25 +0000

Ken

I’d give my left you know what for a Matchless or an A-10 BSA! I figure that I have about 500 hrs. in the 650 at a cheap $30.00 an hr. labor; you do the math $15000.00 labor + the $6000.00 in materials =$21000.00. No way in HELL!! I could sell it for that! Only way it would work is if it was a commissioned build! Looks like you are spread thin just like me! Stay after it brother!!

By: Blackwidow

Blackwidow — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:30:51 +0000

Nice polish work

By: kenb

kenb — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:12:46 +0000

Hesh, hicks wear flannel all year around where Iam from, Estacada, pretty hot though, yea, watch out. hee hee hee

By: kenb

kenb — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:07:46 +0000

Dear John,
Ok John now that I can relate to to many bike pojects me to on the {cheap} The next one is a 400 suzuki speedway bike for the street,a 650 trophy trump,yama exiter 250 bob, 400 suzuki calf a,
and yes 2 more xs 650 just missed out on a cool matchless g12 650 get this 400.00 I just about tossed my lunch, that would be soooo much fun to bob. I guess I have my hands full enough, married with children and oh yea that work thing that cuts into my addiction grrrr.

I,ll be lookin for the changes made on the bike, yea I to think its a tough market to dump bikes on even righteous one like the brat you did, can I be so rude to ask???how much$$$ Best of luck Thkz agian Kenny B

By: John Ferguson

John Ferguson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:02:56 +0000

Ken

Might be the one you are referring to; it’s dated March 27 09. If it is I made some significant changes to it recently and reposted it on Sunday the 21st. It has yet to show up on the site as of today. Let me know what you think when it’s posted. I’m currenly building another with a TC hardtail and a 750cc kit. Trying to keep the cost for materials under $3500. Anything over that and they are a BITCH to sell. Trying to work it in between a Buell Blast,750 twin Kawi,400 twin Honda and a 550 single sided swingarm 4cyl. dropseat Honda. Got my hands full. Love your bike and as soon as I get these others out of my garage I would like to build a low budget 650 similar to your outstanding example and make it my primary ride!

By: Willem

Willem — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:33:25 +0000

Great bike, great lines. I really dig the way the bike looks from behind. Gonna build me one in 2010 if I can find a good old basic one to start with. Prices in Holland are high. Cheers!

By: Hesh

Hesh — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:38:16 +0000

love the open flannel

By: kenb

kenb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:29:03 +0000

John if the drop seat is the oneyou are speaking of, I could see there are some big$$$$ spent on that ride and THAT drop seat brat is one that has been on my desktop for some time, one good lookin build all the way around. There is so much on the bike I just drooled over.That sweet heart could leave her mark in my driveway any time.
Thkz Kenny B

By: John Ferguson

John Ferguson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:10:14 +0000

Ken

That’s a tight budget. you got a lot of scooter for that investment!! As of this reply I have over $6000 in materials invested in mine. Added up before I realized!

By: Spun

Spun — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:54:41 +0000

Oh well, like I said questional concept. I guess asthetics win almost 100% of the time huh? She will look great without.

By: kenb

kenb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:35:09 +0000

John Ferguson the cost of the build was 1800.00 completed
Thkz Kenny B

By: kenb

kenb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:31:03 +0000

tadd442 Iam a bit slow on the no how on the up load when it comes to this tech stuff, I will try sometime..PS momma said if the bike comes home it better be quite and it is sounds very Brittish, she happy I likey….

By: kenb

kenb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:25:58 +0000

As far as the dual disk up front Spun it does help but they are not like a new bike, like my 08 kawasaki versys, make no mistake the do come in handy in the panic stop!!
As far as the visual inpact I tryed to dress them up by drilling them I think it helped, the next will be spokes with no brake up front. Happy black streaks…..

By: R.C

R.C — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:21:53 +0000

I have seen this bike in person and He has been offering me some advice on my build ~thanks for the speedo and tank btw~
But this bike is spotless! and very well done even though I think its a bit too quiet~lol~. but is a perfect look and stance…….. very nice looking scooter….. will be a blast to see the next one

By: HoeyUno

HoeyUno — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:51:03 +0000

Looks great! Well worth all the effort you had to put in.

By: Spun

Spun — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:46:53 +0000

Just noticed the duel disk’s up front, I like. I know front brakes are a questional concept around here but I love how much further you can push things when you can pull it down in a hurry. In my book it’s worth the negitive visual impact, but than again everyone knows what opinions are like. Once again nice ride.

By: Spun

Spun — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:16:51 +0000

Very clean, nice lines, great work. You and your buds should be proud.

By: tadd442

tadd442 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:32:03 +0000

please Please PLEASE post a vid of her running with those mufflers….I just gotta hear the difference they make!

oh yeah, nice build!

By: Jon Kindsvogel

Jon Kindsvogel — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:46:47 +0000

Ken
Great photos of the bike! I met you in Vancouver about two months ago I gave you my number I hope you will give me a call. I have a sweet Xs bobber that is getting a full overhaul this winter, you said it best we should stick together. Hope to hear from you soon!

By: kenb

kenb — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:11 +0000

Thanks guys, well maybe a touch hard to read, I just was running with the near outlaw look, ok older fart outlaw its my fantasy, thanks from the fellas.

By: John Ferguson

John Ferguson — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:25:05 +0000

Ken

Got to agree with the constable about that licsence plate, just tad difficult to read when tryin to chase you down to get that undeserved ticket. Love the old school taillite but they don’t lend themselves well to the plates. All in all a nice build, particularly considering the budget that you kept! Back off, enjoy and build another!

By: ajs_1971

ajs_1971 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:38:36 +0000

Guys
You’ve got one sweet lookin’ ride there…well done. Typical blue rash (what we call coppers here in Oz). They drive ’round with tinted windows so dark you can’t see out, but they give you a ticket for having your car tinted…go figure. Sensible mods with the motor, they really are bullet – proof.
Once again, the xs is a credit to you and your mates!
Cheers.