May 1 2009
MULLIGAN MACHINE reporting for duty #3 XStreme 650
- 20
CAPTAIN AWESOME on “BlacksmithBilly”
Let me start off first, by saying that Bill is one the nicest and most helpful guys you will ever meet. He pours his heart and soul into projects, and that shows. His commitment to helping “internet” friends in need, would be second to none. I feel privileged to be able to present his finished bike in this very column. From top to bottom this bike oozes cool. The fabrication is top notch, along with execution of the overall package. Bill did what most only hope to achieve when starting off a project, by fabricating pretty much every single item on the bike. Pat this guy on the bike. He deserves every bit of it…. Bill Norton AKA “BlacksmithBilly”
XStreme 650
Growing up, Dad gave me a lot of things preparing me for life. One that sticks out high in my mind was…. knowledge of all things mechanical.
I wanted to pass on something as well. So in 2007 I built this bike for my son, as part of the TCU 2007 build off competition. I didn’t get the bike finished for the end of the contest, but it was a rewarding thing just to participate. The bike was rode in the raw steel for almost 2 yrs before I decided to powdercoat and paint the bike.
The bike is a 1975 XS650 I acquired from Glenn (Animal) from the www.thechopperunderground.com board in trade for some repair work on a tweaked triumph rigid frame.
I wanted to pass on something as well. So in 2007 I built this bike for my son, as part of the TCU 2007 build off competition. I didn’t get the bike finished for the end of the contest, but it was a rewarding thing just to participate. The bike was rode in the raw steel for almost 2 yrs before I decided to powdercoat and paint the bike.
The bike is a 1975 XS650 I acquired from Glenn (Animal) from the www.thechopperunderground.com board in trade for some repair work on a tweaked triumph rigid frame.
1” stretch rigid tail
First off, I made a 1” stretch rigid tail section first. In the process I extended the backbone approx 5” to get rid of some of the forwardish look to the bike. With the extended backbone it made a good platform to build off of for the solo seat setup. I used urethane inside the machined telescoping shock , and added a seat rail around seat to keep the boy on (no rear fender)!The next component proved to be the hardest and the most time consuming, the I-beam springer…
I had this in my mind for some time, using some rail channel welded back to back to give it a industrial look. This was bent using a HF bender (with some modifications) and the rear main leg were split and tapered.
I used 1 ½” 2 ½ radius combo bends from “The Chassis Shop” to make the 2 into exhaust.
I used 1 ½” 2 ½ radius combo bends from “The Chassis Shop” to make the 2 into exhaust.
The crank breather to the header was a thing we used to do in circle track racing to help evacuate crank pressure “back in the day”. I have fabbed several single intakes for 650’s in the past, each one is a little different, but this one looked good and works well. I had to do some rejetting(drilling) to get it dialed in. Another thing I always wanted to try was adding fins to covers. I first welded up the filter cover, and bypassed the oil return from the original filter cavity and adding a port from the oil pump. Then using 1/8” x 5/8” alum strips, I tigged each strip on the cover, then ground the fillet welds to give them a cast look.
My son loves the bike, and his skateboarding buddies.
I think it will be something that will always remind him of his ole’ man…..
My son loves the bike, and his skateboarding buddies.
I think it will be something that will always remind him of his ole’ man…..
This Bike is freaking great. Definitely built by a blacksmith. Thanks for bringing this Bike out into the light Derrick..
you haven’t really seen this bike until you see it in person..I saw it in the raw form last year at Hot rod n’ hillbillies in southern Indiana..
It is a fine piece..
Very cool I seen this in Nashville last fall it’s way cool !! Great job !!
I hope your boy appreciates what you’ve done for him. (Steps onto soapbox) If more fathers gave of themselves to their children, we’d all be in a better place. (Steps back off) He will be able to tell that story to his grandchildren and they will know just how cool you are.
Bobby Joe Fong (The father of a son who loves to have me pick him up at school on my bobber. Of course I have to wait until all of his friends are looking before we can roar away.)
WOW X 2 i’ve loaded pix of your sons bike and zoomed in on all your one off pcs. it just blows me away, you are very talented you can adopt me if you would like to build another one. thanx for sharing… smitty
I love the single intake and the oil filter. What a beautiful bike!
Thanks for all the comments guys!
I have a video of my sons first ride on the bike(at 16yrs old),my eyes watered up abit watching him ride and the look on his face….made all worth while
Damn, man! Thanks for sharing. Just beautiful. It’s the details man, it’s always about the details…
this bike is so rad and so is the fact that you built it for your son. My first experience working on anything mechanical was with my father then @ 12 my father brought home a father son project and we worked 2 summers and built a 1950 chevy short box pickup. we did all the work ourselves (well he did most of the work @ 12 just being able to grind here and there and tighten some nuts & bolts seems like you’re doing something great) my point is I know the exact look on your sons face. and to this day remember those summer weekends working on that truck with my pops. Now I have a son of my own hes 6 and Im already planning our first build together. something like that is just one of those experiences not everyone gets to have, but more people should.
I’m more then sure your son will never forget this bike.
any info on the external oil filter mount, im building a 80 xs and looking for any input, thanks guys
The two into one intake, The springer, The oil filter setup,………..all great touches to an awsome bike! I have seen some of your other work over on TCU and you do some cool stuff!!
I love it how the carburetter and exhaust(nice job!) line up ,when you look from above(excuse my bad english).
gr.sicky
Thanks again everyone for your comments.
On this Memorial Day morning ,I can’t help but to think of my Pops …and the time we spent together, and how it has shaped my life to what it is today.
Voodoo,
my first vehicle was a 51′ Studebaker truck with a flathead Ford v8 engine.When we picked it up the bed was full of trash,concrete blocks,and snow.The master cylinder stroke was adjusted wrong and wouldn’t release the brakes….and the brakes would get tighter and tighter with every push of the brake. I drove the old truck while Pop pulled me with his 74′ GMC with a chain.It all got interesting when the left rear brake decided to lock up. Pop cut that brake line, and put a vise grip on the line…and we contiued home.Several lessons learned just getting it home….Chain towing,master cylinder adjustment and roadside repair.
Dad ,Thank you for so many things
I miss you greatly
this is for blacksmith billy wondering about the hydraulic clutch conversion. i saw it on another post on here. didnt know if u seel it or what. JP
SELL
Yes ,I have fabbed several of the hyd clutch setups.
send me a email bnorton @ c3bb.com
Hello Bill
My name is Bruce and I live in Niagara Falls Canada. I’m assembling as 1980 xs650 bobber. My motor has been rephased to a 270/90. It’s been puncher out to a 750 and has been ported and polished etc. Because of it being a special motor, I wanted the finish to be outstanding. As such, I will be patina-ing everything. I discovered that you can purchase the chemicals to patina anything, So I was going to patina the frame, tins, and motor. I settled on a color and am about to purchase the chemicals in Toronto. That is until I saw your posting of the beatersville xs650 rat. Because you saw it in person, do you have any idea as to how he managed to produce such a sharp finish on the motor. By the way, I think that bike and the builder deserves full marks. I have seen some of your work. I am very fortunate enough to have several friends who, like you, are masters at their craft. Lucky me.
Thank you for your time Bill. Good luck with your creations.
Cheers, Bruce
Bruce,
I did talk with the guy @ beatersville,but didn’t get any info on the finish.It looked as if it were covered in wood varnish?
that is by far one of my favorite bikes ever. blacksmithbilly makes art out bikes.
very nice job on the bike love all the fabed parts the seat in particular, wish you had taken a few more shots of the underside of the seat, can’t quite figure out exactly what you did there but it is the best looking seat i’ve seen anyone build yet again excellent job thanks for sharing