1981 Yamaha XS650S (Special) - Project Bike #5

[rbirkey]

After completing the 1977 Yamaha XS650D project bike #4 for my friend Scott, I decided to purchase a similar bike from the same seller. It is a slightly newer 1981 Yamaha XS650S (Special) with under 9,000 miles on it.



I have torn it down pretty far, assessed things, and ordered parts, etc. So far, I have completed:

• Mount new Avon Roadrider tires
• Clean and paint the battery box
• Assessed that I can probably make a spare 2008 Triumph Bonneville seat work on this bike because I hate the stock seat! I will recover the seat with a nonbranded cover.
• Cleaned the frame, engine and dirty, grimy bits
• New chain
• New Euro-style handlebars
• New Biltwell grips

The 1981 XS had solid-state ignition from the factory, so I will not have to make that conversion.



It's amazing how similar these are to the Triumph Bonneville's!

 

[rbirkey]

I'm thinking about adding the second caliper and rotor to the front fork like these Specials had when they were sold in Europe. I will probably keep the original metallic silver paint, and either just buff it out, or possibly clear coat and then buff... leaving the imperfections and age spots there. I may bob the fenders a bit. I also plan to use modern flexible LED lighting as I did on one of my Bonneville project bikes. It creates a very clean, streamlined look! New Ikon rear shocks are also on the way.

 

[rbirkey]

Well, the 1981 Yamaha XS650S project bike is now nearly completed and running! I've integrated a Triumph Bonneville seat and an LED rear taillight/signals product. The front turn signals are also LED. The new exhaust is a Delkavic all-stainless 2 into 1 system. The tank color is Triumph Bonneville Warm Silver from 2002.

I already have a buyer who will be riding this as his first bike this coming Spring 2021.

 

[Sal Paradise]

Hey man, there is probably no one here anymore. I barely made it back in by finally remembering my ancient password. Its amazing how good that bike looks with the Triumph seat.

 

[rbirkey]

Hey man, there is probably no one here anymore. I barely made it back in by finally remembering my ancient password. Its amazing how good that bike looks with the Triumph seat.

Yes, it does... I agree!