LynXS Café-fighter
Amazing all the frequent updates here with all kind of XS 650 twins. Great to see so much variation on the XS theme. Trackers, chops, bobbers, café-racers, I really dig em all, you know the XS virus hit me hard for almost 25 years now. In 1988 already I rode a Santee framed XS chopper with high sissybar, apehanger and a long overstock springer front end. Several XS project followed, not only chops and bobs (see my Back 2 BasiXS), but also some speedy racers. The latest racer is the LynXS which I like to show you in this column-edition.
The name LynXS is a combination of two passions in my life, the Lynyrd Skynyrd band and …of course… the XS 650. I prefer to call this creation not a café-racer but a café-fighter, cos the old Fifties style is fused with hyper modern influences. Everything is lightweight alloy and maximum tuned on the LynXS, finally I can compete with my mates’ Buells. No matter what they tried, they can’t get my out their mirrors haha. It runs like a jet, it’ll cruise at 160 KPH and on the Dyno it reached 210 kilometres per hour.
Think the contrast between the bright orange powder coated frame and wheels and the hand polished allloy parts all over the bike turned out superb. The alloy tank is a real eye-catcher. Didn’t made this item myself, WBO Racing in Germany did this good job and they were also responsible for the alloy seat.
A nice detail is the window I made in the right engine cover, which gives a nice look at the clutch. Especially with the engine runnin´ it´s real cool !
The modified clutch has very heavy springs to deal with the 70 HP, so the cable is replaced by a hydraulic operated one.
The original swing arm was too heavy and less stiff and is replaced by an aloy swing arm donated by a Suzuki Katana 1100 which was scored at the local motor scrapyard for less bucks, same like the GSX 750 R wheels and 54 mm upside down front fork.
Rear Brake came of a VX 800 while the front brakes are also GSX-R items. The two 320mm floating discs in combination with two six-piston calipers provides an unbelievable brake power!
Exhaust System is complete stainless steel, made by StarTwin a local motorshop. They did an excellent job. The alloy heat shields I made my own, just with a handsaw and a file, like many other parts like fly screen, stabilisator/ fenderbracket, rearset covers etc. The mufflers are megatons for that real deep sound.
To build the LynXS I worked on it for about one and a half years, taking about 260 hours. I finished it two years ago and it´s a blast to ride. Handling and power is incredible. Unfortunately, I´m intended to sell it, lack of space in my garage and the need for money on my new project are the main reasons. Otherwise, I´ve got an addiction on building bikes and got so many ideas in my head….
In the next column more details on the LynXS and some pics of the build-up.
So far, greetz from Holland ! Hans Prost.
