Comments on: “Shop Rat” A 1978 XS650

By: Don Miller

Don Miller — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:40:52 +0000

BEWARE of G&L Choppers!
They’ve had my bike & $4,000 for well over 3 YEARS and still refuse to answer my calls!
I’m not the only one. Check out the XS650 Forums, Chop Cult, Chopper Underground, SOHC, Bobber Talk or the Garage Journal and judge for yourself.

By: eric

eric — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:47:47 +0000

What did you use for a rear spoke rim,,, running into problems trying to put a rear spoke on my 78. Need the help. thanks….

By: Johnny Chop

Johnny Chop — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:56:10 +0000

Nice scoot! Any chance of a cat like me gett’n some close up pics of your rear caliper mounts?

By: norm younger

norm younger — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:09:56 +0000

Once again great bike.

By: norm younger

norm younger — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:56:55 +0000

Wow perfect bike!

By: Jorge

Jorge — Sat, 28 May 2011 22:37:43 +0000

I would be happy with a bike like that, and I wouldn’t change a single screw.

By: fanoboss

fanoboss — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:09:15 +0000

I like how you kicked it over. Most JUMP UP WAY HIGH !!!! Like they are kikn over a top fueler drag bike !!!! LOL

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:40:59 +0000

Those look like G&L Choppers mid controls. I have the same ones and it look like I’ve mounted them in the same spot that you have, but they interfere with my kick start. Do you have the same problem? Or do you just use your electric starter only?

By: Steven

Steven — Sun, 08 May 2011 03:11:05 +0000

this is one helluva sweet scoot……well done !!!

By: Noah Katsma

Noah Katsma — Mon, 02 May 2011 08:13:33 +0000

Beautiful Bike! So clean! I have been working on a Honda CB Bobber for a while now, but this bike right here has convinced me to throw everything aside and tomorrow I am going out to pick up my XS650…

I too would also like to see your close up pic of your rear brake foot pedal mounts! If that is alright with you!
My email is noahkatsma@gmail .com Thanks!!!

By: david valentine

david valentine — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:23:50 +0000

here what steps did you have to do to make the rear harley wheel fit ?

By: franken daddy

franken daddy — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:25:20 +0000

Man killer bike! what all was involed with installing your spinger and what top bearing did you use. Thanks

By: shawn

shawn — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:35:59 +0000

any spacing/alignment issues with the harley rear? any specific rim/hub? thanks

By: OKSHADOW™

OKSHADOW™ — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:03:41 +0000

Ok I got to ask, Amazing looking bike, Why is the kick stand on the right instead of the left? Just have to know, nice job.

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:00:10 +0000

That is a really, really nice creation. Did you use a Harley caliper and rotor with the Harley wheels? I just picked up a 16″ rear and 21″ front for my XS, but I’m torn on the disk. Any suggestions?

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:00:16 +0000

Congratulations on getting a feature in the horse Josh.
Nicely done sir.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:52:00 +0000

I was just looking over your bike in the new HORSE. Nicely done. I can only hope for my ’71 to turn out that clean!

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:34:43 +0000

Hey Josh Ive been working on my bike for a while now,
doing a little here and there and ive hit a rough spot that hopefully you can help me with.

I switched to a Sportster rear wheel with a disc brake,
but where did you get a sprocket to fit your sporster wheel that is geared right for XS650 engine ? what did you do for a rear brake caliper as well ?

any pointers would be so helpful, please just shoot me call or email and i would be very grateful.
903-744-3781
cromainsplitwindows@yahoo.com

By: Tyrone

Tyrone — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:11:22 +0000

Bike is beautiful…I remember reading when you started…Great job!

By: Duran

Duran — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:28:37 +0000

That bike is perfect…

By: josh

josh — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:46:13 +0000

emzdogz,
no need to be missing any teeth over some pics!!! I responded to you with a pic over on 650rider. later man!

By: Emzdogz

Emzdogz — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:52:28 +0000

wow!!!!!!!!
one of the best XS chops I’ve seen.
I’d give up a tooth for closeup shots of how the footpeg and especially the rear brake pedal mounts were attached.
🙂
sweetness!

By: josh scott

josh scott — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:46:24 +0000

skrooz, thanks for the comps. always liked your scoot! I will keep an eye on the front bushings!

tom,
there is some machine work that needs to be done in order for it to fit properly. Along with new bearings. Give us a shout if you want more info . . . 719-550-0096. Ask for Rich.

By: tom

tom — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:39:54 +0000

hey just curious what it took to use a springer front end if you dont mins me asking

By: skr00zloose

skr00zloose — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:33:20 +0000

lookin good man. I remember we were both trying to get the 1″ necks to work right about the same time. Mine hasn’t broken yet, lol.

Keep a check on the rocker bushings on that springer, I had to replace my whole front end b/c the bushings dried up and ate themselves. Hate to see that happen to yours too.

By: Smith

Smith — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:14:38 +0000

Awesome !!

By: john

john — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:13:15 +0000

Good article.

By: john

john — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:11:37 +0000

Nice article.

By: jimmy ako

jimmy ako — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:55:11 +0000

hi josh love your bike m8. got tobe the best xs650 ive seen. building one myself. been collecting parts for a few months. got myself a nice set of springers 8inch overs. iam haveing a bobber style frame built. will start a new thread with pics. again well done m8 shes a belter : )

By: Ron

Ron — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:42:54 +0000

Josh I’m glad you got her done and now we can get on your boss to get his going. Its going to be a good summer.

By: mike N.

mike N. — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 06:12:04 +0000

Cool thanks.

By: josh

josh — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:58:26 +0000

I have 165’s in there and I am in CO at an elevation of 6000ft.

By: mike N.

mike N. — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:03:41 +0000

That is a very clean job! I really like the shifter. What are you runnin jetwise for your carbs? I started on my xs project( stripping it down marking the wires) And I was wondering what everyone is running?

By: josh

josh — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:37:36 +0000

Rorschach,
I am running a top motor mount I just cut out the cross member that attaches to the front of the frame area.

thanks Smitty! good luck with your bike.

josh

By: Rorschach

Rorschach — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:53:58 +0000

Josh, are you not running a top motor mount? if so, how is that working out for you?

By: Smitty

Smitty — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:10:32 +0000

Josh thats a kickass bike if mine turns out half as nice i’ll be happy i’ve talked to Rich about those dna springers he was very helpful i love the work comming out of G&L

By: josh

josh — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:39:47 +0000

well thanks for all the nice comments fellas. I’ve been riding this thing for the past few days and I am in love with it. It was well worth the wait! thanks again.

josh

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:10:59 +0000

Looks great some neat idea’s …

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:58:35 +0000

Really the collection of pictures is fantastic. People will definitely want to have such bike after having a look o these pictures.

By: Hans from Holland

Hans from Holland — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:21:53 +0000

Well Josh, what can I say after all these words….
It’s a green, mean, lean super machine!!! well done!

By: Rorschach

Rorschach — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:55:47 +0000

seeing this bike caused me to have an accident in my shorts. it is soo clean. right now i am torn between getting the G&L rear section or a full on Ardcore frame. makes me keep thinking. nice work.

By: e-dog

e-dog — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:05:22 +0000

great job, love it. dig the color too.

By: BykerBrad

BykerBrad — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:41:16 +0000

Turned out absolutely amazing Josh! A super clean, flawless job as always. Thank you again for the ideas from your blue one as well as the parts you sent my way. Ride safe brother. Congrats again.

By: Wally

Wally — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:25:22 +0000

This bike is absolutly perfect, really, really nice job!

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:45:20 +0000

Very nice ride. Well worth the two years of lovin.

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:21:51 +0000

Is definitely a beautiful bike. Nice work Joshua.. Thanks for sending in the pics.. I like the idea of working on a bike for a year or more and that’s why I’m currently saving parts for my next XS. I think you build a different bike when you’re not trying just to get something running to ride if you know what I mean.