Kurt's XS

This 81' is on its way to being fine piece of machinery. These are some of the things we knocked out today. Put the proper spacers in to accommodate the rear hardtail and stock wheel. Cut a seat mount gusset, set the motor in (which every motor mount slid in like butter), mocked the mid controls, line the rear tire up and cut the chain length. Also cut the biltwell seat hinge to work on a flat surface. Lastly I cut the monster craftsman chain tensioner in half and extended it an inch to avoid any spring back problems down the road.

AMF gas tank narrowing and frisco style!

Just started messing with one of my extra has tanks. I drilled the old petcock out and scribed a piece of 16 ga. Steel to fill it in. Found my center and made some marks with sharpie. Took out the cutting wheel and got to choppin. Now I need to make the new tunnel and cut a new filler hole and weld a new cap on.

81' XS part II hardtail section

Here are some pics of the process I'm taking to make this one off rigid hardtail. From different diameter slugs on the lathe to smooth bends on the bender to fishmouth notches.
Roughly half way done with pre-fitting of the hardtail, I still need to fab the axle mounts and bend the main center downtube.

81' XS 400 chop!

Took on this xs project my buddy Dennis dropped her off, I did an xs 650 for his friend pauly. It's gonna be a full build choppin the rear section welding on a new tail. Fabbin some one off mini apes and exhaust pipes. Relocating motor mounts and mid control brackets.

Rigid xs on its way!

Welded up the rigid hard tail on my cousin kurt's 81' xs. Swapped the old ball bearings out of the neck and upgraded to high performance timken tapered bearings. Assembled the frontend and slapped the wheels on thru some 7/8 in. Z-bars on it just to move it around and slid the spotty tank on. He is switchin the 19" front our with a 21" aluminum ribbed rim from a 70's RD 400.

Nothin against Japan

My bro brought over his side case and wanted me to trim her down alil. He wanted to eliminate the "made in Japan" since it was re done here in lovely Ohio! It also gives her a sleeker look even though u can't tell unless u kno but I guess that's the point.

Back to the 59'

My buddy Chris swung by yesterday to give me an idea of what he wants for fender struts and to fit his rear fender. So we chopped half the fender off and got it were we wanted it. I started to roll some 3/8 round bar for the struts we will be back at it today. I have to spin some countersunk bungs on my lathe to mount the struts to the frame and to the fender.

Peace river canoe trip!

My wife and I were invited by an old friend from school to Fort Myers for the 10th annual 12 mile Peace river canoe trip in Arcadia,Fl. We are always lookin for an excuse to get away to warmer climates being from Ohio! It was the first time for us so we flew in for the weekend with just a backpak and had everything ready for us tents, food, and all the party favors! Here are some cool pics of us with our twenty canoe deep group all good people and the scenery.  Thanks to all of yall for the southern hospitality, especially Rob and Tiff.