Jack – I built this custom tribute bike after a visit to the Barber Motorsports Museum, in Leeds, AL. It was there that I saw and photographed several vintage British bikes and decided that I could build a clone using a XS650. I used a derelict 1976 XS650C that was missing its front end. The bike had not run in about 30 years, but the engine turned over and the frame was straight. I used a weld-on hard tail from TC Brothers and completely zero-timed everything using new components and good used parts I found on the web.
The fuel tank is a hand-built aluminum item I bought second-hand and the side covers I fabricated from aluminum sheet. The entire electrical system is new and the engine has been modified with a large-fin cylinder kit from Mike’s XS. I had a local machine shop make some custome badges and did my best to remove all references to the Yamaha identification.
The idea was to create a believable facsimile of a fictional production motorcycle. The exhaust headers are ceramic-coated and the frame and rims are powder-coated. Paint and artwork are by local artist, Danny Bally.
Took me about nine months to build, but she rides and looks great. Lots of hand-made parts and new chrome. My tribute to the 1948 Triumph Speed Twin.
Jack Gilbert
