New Page 1

It's still got as much of the original bike as was possible and is as close to stock in appearance as I can get it, which was the aim of this project. Modifications are few really and not visible: roller bearing swingarm, tapered steering bearings, heavy-duty clutch, Boyer Bransden ignition and some other electrical improvements. Oh, and some modified removable baffles - yeehaa, what a sound.

The biggest rebuild difficulties were: finding an exhaust system, finding good gauges, rebuilding front brakes (they stop better than later models, but what a pain), and matching the paint exactly.

Hope it's worthy of your show.
Thanks
Greg Baldock
Adelaide

I purchased this bike brand new back in 1980 and rode it up until 1987 and it never let me down. I put it to sleep under a tarp until March of 2007, out in all
kinds of weather. I was in two minds should I throw it to the local tip but a little voice in the back of my head said “RESTORE IT” so I did. It was finished around New Year 2007. I’m glad I did. I wanted to keep it as original as possible. and I’m happy to reclaim a piece of my past.
Regards, Nigel Lovett
Coffs Harbour, NSW

Hi Terry,
Just took new pics of my bike, I've done a few mods since the last ones were taken. Fitted an oil cooler, mini speedo and tacho, tapered head stem bearings, needle roller swing arm pivot and 34mm round slides.

Vinnie's bike build was decided recently when he couldn't decide whether to buy a new bike or restore an older one, when he saw Matt Moloney's outfit and heard it run he was sold. He went out and bought an XS650B and immediately started to rebuild it with all the stuff he wanted but couldn't get with a new bike. Vinnie's bike has a MikesXS big bore kit and big fin barrels and Matt did the 270° rephased crank. The bike runs a PROBE ignition and 36mm Mikunis and a cam supplied by Professional Motorcycle Tuning. These pics were taken on its maiden voyage when Vinnie rode it down to Matt's place to show me. If you want to hear how it sounds just click on the image below.

My father and I purchased this 1978 Yamaha XS650 Special towards the start of this year. The bike was mostly finished, the previous owner had painted the frame, fuel tank and side covers. The carburetors where badly out of tune when I got the bike. After talking to club members and using the internet, I fiddled around with them and fixed the problems. I have also polished up all of the chrome work and engine cases. I installed a set of aftermarket shorty slip on mufflers, they sound great.

1980 Special I bought as a runner in 2003 and finally got it registered 12 months ago after lots of work. Recently rebuilt the engine and still in the process of fine tuning to get it running right. There is a list of things I want to do to it the problem is finding the time.