We’re shining the spotlight on one of our dedicated Yamaha XS650 Facebook Community members, Tony Smith, who recently shared three stunning pictures of his 1978 Yamaha XS650 rebuild. The images showcase Tony’s bike from various angles, giving us a comprehensive look at the incredible work he’s put into this project.
In his post, Tony shared some insight into the rebuild process, saying, “1978 Total rebuild over last winter! Complete running gear strip down. Fit overdrive 5th and clean and paint engine. Gone from wideglide to standard front end.” It’s evident that Tony left no stone unturned in his mission to bring this classic beauty back to its former glory.
One of the most striking aspects of Tony’s XS650 is the array of custom elements he incorporated. “Home made rabbit ears, forwards, sissy bar and lots of other brackets,” he mentioned, highlighting the unique touches that make his bike stand out from the crowd. These personal additions not only showcase Tony’s creativity but also his dedication to making this rebuild truly his own.
When it came to the paint job, Tony took on the challenge himself. “Paint by myself but 2K cleared by the paintshop next door,” he revealed. While he tackled the majority of the painting, he enlisted the help of a nearby paintshop to ensure a flawless finish with a 2K clear coat.
However, Tony didn’t embark on this journey alone. He gave a special shoutout to the folks at Boneshakers, saying, “Most of all built with help, lots of input and encouragement at Boneshakers!” This heartfelt acknowledgment emphasizes the value of community support and the collaborative spirit within our group.
In the comments, fellow member Kweisi inquired, “howd you get the narrow glide to fit?” Tony graciously replied, “Kweisi it’s a Santee Frame and has a Sportster front end 👍” This interaction underscores the knowledge sharing and camaraderie that makes our Facebook community so special, as members are always ready to help each other out and share their expertise.
