So, this is random, but I was looking at people in the area and a picture of your motorcycle popped up. It happens to be the exact same model as my bike, assuming that its a 81' XS650 hegitage special, and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about the mods you have pulled off. I really like the changes you have made, but mostly I'm interested in the header wraps and the seat. Anyhow, if you get a chance bounce a message off me. Thanks

Oh, and when you placed the open element air filters on did you have to adjust the carbs much? Thanks again

Yeah man. It's actually an 83 XS650 HS. I don't think there are really any differences between the 81, 82, and 83 for the most part. Anyway yeah, I put the K&N filters on it. No carb adjustments needed. Took like 10 minutes. They are technically illegal though. But fuck it they look sweet. You can order them through JC Whiteny or your local Yamaha dealer for about $90. Not cheap, but worth it I think. The seat I got from a local custom shop for about $100. I had to fab brackets for the back and I used part of the stock seat mounts for the front. I did have to weld a longer bolt to the seat though. That is why the cross is on there because a hold got burned though the seat. Long story but a happy acident in the end. The exhaust was pretty easy too. We took the mufflers off the stock pipes and welded some slightly larger lengths of pipe to the ends. Don't forget your drag pipe baffles or you won't have enough back pressure for the engine to run right. It sounds wicked though and actually runs allot smoother than when I got it. $9 for the pipe and $6 or so for some ceramic engine paint. The fiberglass wrap I picked up at a local car performance mod shop. It was like $50 for 30 feet or something. The the metal ties where like another $25 or something. I go the bars from a buddy but you can get them off the net for like $20. The tail light was $50 from the local chopper shop. Let me know if you have any other questions. I love the XS650. I want to get at least one more. I love customizing and shit. My buddy in town here is suposed to buy one soon so we can hook his up.

Do you have any pix of yours?

I dont't have any good pics right now but I'll borrow a camera from somebody and post em. Right now all I have done is new drag style handel bars, sportier tires and some slick looking grips. Look at for a ton of great parts and such, not to mention it is a site only for XS650s. This month I am going to scrap the stock gages and go with a single speedometer with all lights built in and then just cap off the tach and do without. Also, I have plans for a new tail light and I want a cafe-cruiser type seat. Either way I am gonna rap the heads, cus that just looks too cool. Thanks for the info. I'll let you know when the pics are up.

that web site didnt post right....

its mikesxs650.net check it out.

Oh and one more thing, do you know that you can drill out those brass plugs on your carbs and unveil the carb adjustment screws... it allows you to fatten up the fuel delivery and the bike (at least mine did) runs a bit quicker and richer. This helps because in the 80s the emmission laws were really strick and they made the carbs run lean as hell to compensate for testing. Also an illegal manuver. You might have made up for that fact with a more breathable air filter and open pipes. Just some thoughts.

[Edited on May 20, 2005 6:10PM]

I didn't know that about the carbs. Not too surprised though. I've got a couple other 650 sites I know off. I'll look them up and post them tomorrow.

www.yamaha650society.com and www.650motorcycles.com are both ugly sites with some good info.

http://xs650parts.com/ another parts page. Rebuildable engines for $250

Got your app to SG Motorcycles. Please post in MY journal a little bit to let me know you're actually interested in SGMC. It's obvious you're serious about bikes, so I'd like to have you and SteveO along for the ride.

Thanks.

[Edited on May 23, 2005 11:30AM]