Joel Mekolites: Bratty xs650 makeover
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I decided to cut it up and see what I could make out of it.
Write about your XS650.: Well I got my xs650 set up the way I thought I wanted it. After stepping back and looking at it she looked like a stock triumph in my opinion. I wasn’t too happy with it , she didn’t turn out like how I imagined it. It was cool but just not me. A friend of mine had an old leaky sporty tank he said I could have. I decided to cut it up and see what I could make out of it. It seemed like a lot of xs’s use the sporty tank. I wanted to change it up a little. I cut the bottom out of it to start.
Then I cut about 2″ out of the center of it. I don’t care for the flat spot in the top of it so I pounded it out too. After getting it the way I wanted I welded it back together. I am diggin how it turned out. She kinda looks like a mini villian tank. I really like how skinny she is. I used to have a roadstar that I bought this crown key fob for so I am going to epoxy it on the gas cap as the crowning jewel.
After doing this I decided to cut out the flat seat rails I had on the bike. I took my tube bender and bent some tube up to follow the lines of the seat pan. Then I welded them on to mimik the lines of the backbone. I really like the flow of the bike a lot better now! I think She will be pretty cool and a little unique when she is all done.
Joel Mekolites
Did you extend your swing arm and what kind of springs are you using? Im trying to get the same low look you achieved but I have not figured out what the best way is. By the way the bike looks killer!
dude awesome job it looks rad
Tank is really cool! Keep it up!
how tall are those apes??
I am loving the new tank. it’s crazy skinny and sexy..
I didn’t extend swingarm. I used honda rebel shocks. I set a 4 by 4 under the frame. I took the shocks loose and let the frame drop down on the 4 by 4. Then I moved the shocks foreward and made my seat posts meat up with them I also lowered the front 3″. The apes are like 12″ They aren’t the tapered ones you see for sale. These have very littl pullback too. I happened to see them at a swapmeet for sale. The tank makes the bike I think.
nice tank!!!
Followed your tank thread over on the underground. It came out sick, brother.
The first incarnation was beautiful, but I really like this one too. Those new seat rails came out PERFECT.
Future plans?
Thanks for sharing.
I plan on riding it sometime this decade.LOL just reworking the wheels n getn tires. then putn it all togather.
I keep coming back to this post and looking at your tank.
getting ready to send it some updated pics tomorrow. The new tank is killa. The bike is really looking good.
I just got an xs. I’m going bratty, western pa roads don’t allow for a hardtail when you weigh 220. I really like the way yours turned out. Any suggestions before I start.
thanks alot.
where did you get the seat pan?
how nice is the ride compared to a hardtail with a sprung seat? im wondering if i should go with just the metal pan like you or if i should throw springs under a solo seat