Welcome to my 1971 XS650 XS1B bobber build. This wasn’t a clean original bike before starting the build, the frame had already been cut and messed with to fit that single seat just in case people think I ruined a perfectly good bike, It was originally imported from America and purchased from a UK company..
I’d never owned a bike like this before, always really been into sports bikes, but fancied something different. And first attempt at a bike build started out as a cheap project throughout Covid times to kill a bit of time and ended up being a complete nut and bolt restoration.
The Engine was completely stripped and casings bead blasted to give a clean new look, oil filter upgrade by Smed speed, engine rebuilt but kept as standard. TC Bros hardtail, Lowbrow banana tank and rear fender. Tank fabricated to fit the modified tank rack.
Moto gadget everything including M-unit blue, bar switches, chronoclassic speedo with white face and indicators bar end front and pin rear, custom made loom plus Revival cycles starter solenoid. Hugh’s hand built full electronic ignition inc PMA, oil cooler and handle bar riser bushes.
Kustom tech levers, throttle and fuel petcocks. New old stock Ural headlight inc Omega brackets. Front forks lowered and inserts rechromed (Not the easiest thing to have done on the early XS1B’s) Doghouse custom made (oil) electric tank housing the M-unit, cdi unit, regulator rectifier and Smiths volt meter.
Builtwell straight bars, number plate holder, seat and seat bracket inc Holygoat custom vintage brown leather seat cover. With limited space and trialling different ideas and batteries I eventually bit the bullet and fitted an Anti gravity battery and LC fabrication holder saving space and weight.
So as not to get any vibration or movement from the chain with it being so close to the battery I fitted the Monster Craftsman chain tensioner for the DID X ring gold chain. Fabricated fender struts, wheel adjusters, torsion bar and top engine mounts and all frame fabrication completed by Andy Todds.
Anything stainless and alloy polished to a mirror finish by Jake Todds. And to top off that vintage look Firestone Deluxe tyres. The body work was painted by Auto cosmetics in a vintage Mercedes grey.
Still yet to take it out for its first proper run out but after getting it all together it struck up first time and ran great with no problems at all (touch wood). It’s taken just over 3 years to complete, they’re a great bike with so many parts available to make it easier and so much information available whether it be from social media groups or forums.
I found people are happy to help and keen to see the build progress. So anyone reading this who has answered a question or helped me out in some way I appreciate it all thanks. I’m sure there’s plenty more l’ve missed but gives you an idea of the work and time put into this build, I’m very happy with how it turned out and hopefully will look to get it shown at some bike shows in the future. Thanks for looking.
Submitted by Tim Shaw
