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1979
XS650SF to Tracker Project |
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This is project is about converting my 1979 Yamaha XS650SF (click for original pictures and info) into a Tracker starting in May of '06. My Special was not special- it had been repainted in ghost flames and the tank badges filled in, as well as having the side covers smoothed over. I have a chopper, and I wanted to go the opposite way- a more performance oriented XS. So, here is the process: Stripping down the frame took place over a couple of evenings, working an hour or two at a time. Here it is:
All the rest of the work on this page took place on Saturday, May 13. After stripping the frame, I checked the swing arm, and it was bone solid with the stock plastic bushings. This thing only has about 12,000 miles on it, so that makes sense. However, this is a notorious weak spot, so while I had the frame apart I put in bronze bushings from 650 Central. With the exception of the seat/fender, all the parts came from 650 Central. The bushing replacement couldn't have been easier. I heated the swing arm with a propane torch, softening the plastic bushings. I pushed with a long screwdriver and they popped right out. I put the bronze bushings in the freezer to shrink them, then heated the swing arm with the torch again and with one easy whack with the rubber mallet the fully seated. Couldn't have been easier.
I bought the seat/fender from Omar's Dirt Track Racing. After reading the directions I saw I had to cut off the rear hoop of the frame. I welded a support farther forward to add a bit 'o strength to the frame after the cut. Here it is after mounting, welding, then cutting the hoop:
Next to mount the seat- it has a channel to weld or pop rivet to the frame. Well, I have a welder and not a pop-riveter, so welded it is. I also filled in the open frame ends and ground them down a bit:
After the frame work, I put things together and took a couple pictures. Next it's going to be on to paint prep.
Next steps: June-July, 2006:
Here are the stats on the Tracker as of September '06: Wish list: New shocks- these are too low. New headlight, tach, and speedo. I uploaded a couple of videos of my Tracker running on www.youtube.com. Here are the links: Tracker starting, idling, and revving:
starting and revving (for the sound, if you are |
