Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: guest2051 on August 02, 2016, 04:25:16 PM
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Hi guys,
I was referred to this forum by a Youtube user and since i have a thumper i thought i would join up.
I have a 1985 Honda XBR500 which is a Twin Port and has a dry sump. I saved it along with a 1980 Suzuki GS550/4 from a massively overgrown garden, i was basically a jungle.
The plan is to cafe it.
Here are some pics of how it looked when dragged out of hibernation and the last pic is of how it stood after a quick clean up.
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/xr125l4/IMG_20160708_094926%20-%20Copy_zpsfomi4pyg.jpg) (http://s930.photobucket.com/user/xr125l4/media/IMG_20160708_094926%20-%20Copy_zpsfomi4pyg.jpg.html)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/xr125l4/13871926_1396247020400601_1561263930_n_zpsso9qftwd.jpg) (http://s930.photobucket.com/user/xr125l4/media/13871926_1396247020400601_1561263930_n_zpsso9qftwd.jpg.html)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/xr125l4/13872490_1396247203733916_773863095_n_zpskqt481qx.jpg) (http://s930.photobucket.com/user/xr125l4/media/13872490_1396247203733916_773863095_n_zpskqt481qx.jpg.html)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/xr125l4/13874849_1396247077067262_2058541772_n_zpsagxffo0d.jpg) (http://s930.photobucket.com/user/xr125l4/media/13874849_1396247077067262_2058541772_n_zpsagxffo0d.jpg.html)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/xr125l4/13672550_1396247147067255_1520168486_n_zpsl06lftuj.jpg) (http://s930.photobucket.com/user/xr125l4/media/13672550_1396247147067255_1520168486_n_zpsl06lftuj.jpg.html)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/xr125l4/IMG_20160731_151442_zpsoqagmwk2.jpg) (http://s930.photobucket.com/user/xr125l4/media/IMG_20160731_151442_zpsoqagmwk2.jpg.html)
And here's a video of it running after being sat for 15 years.
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Welcome Mark ;) Excellent job rescuing the bikes, a great find, and getting the XBR running. There are great fella`s on here who`ll I`m sure help you out with any technical questions you may have .... they`ve helped me out for sure! Good luck with it, they`re great bikes!!!! Steve.
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Welcome to the Thumperclub! It was me who recommended you have a look.
Considering how long it was standing it sounds pretty good! A bit of work to do on the rolling chassis but you have all the bits there and most spares are easy to get hold of and reletively cheap. Loads of experience and advice to be had here for free!!
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Welcome along Mark, cool little vid of the "start up after 15years" best of luck with the bikes...yes some pretty knowledgable chaps on here.....most of them with a decent sense of humour too ;) ;) ;) ;) ;).....cheers, Michael
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Thanks for the warm welcome and thank you Steve for the referral, much appreciated.
This project will move a long quite quickly, completion being roughly 5-6 weeks away.
Its 100% complete and original from what i can tell, although i wont be using the tank, seat or plastics. The tank has sprung a pin hole leak and is fairly rusty inside. the seat cover has also perished due to weathering and the silencers are rotted through. Im not a huge fan of the xbr500 factory looks, its the fuel tank, i don't think it suits the bike at all. With the right tank and tail, they make fantastic looking cafe's.
Edit: I forgot to mention the mileage, she's only clocked up 13,000 miles!
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Check out the 'projects' section for lots of ideas.
http://www.thumperclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=6435.0 for example.
You may find buyers for some some of your spare bits through the sales section. Don't throw the rear seat cover away, they are hard to find and worth a bit!
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Welcome and good luck with the resto project.XBR's are great bikes-well worth preserving.Although i found the vid of the bike interesting-i just love the extremely cute pooch who seems completely unfazed by the engine bursting back in to life.What's the dog's name btw?
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Check out the 'projects' section for lots of ideas.
http://www.thumperclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=6435.0 for example.
You may find buyers for some some of your spare bits through the sales section. Don't throw the rear seat cover away, they are hard to find and worth a bit!
Hi Steve, the link you`ve provided .... I remember seeing that bike for sale a while back? Does anyone know of its whereabouts these days...is it still going strong? Lovely looking machine, a credit to it`s builder 8)
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Welcome XBR_Mark! :)
Aye Steve (Manxie), if you or Mark need to contact the customiser of the XBR, website address still appears to be: Caferacerseats (http://caferacerseats.co.uk/)
Good luck Mark, with the shrubbery special.
My regards, Bill
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Yes, welcome to the madhouse, I mean forum. Not so much a barn find, as a hedge find ;)
Keep us all posted on your progress, and best of luck. Loads of stuff on here, if you've time for a trawl through it all :)
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A bit spooky that I had a quick look for new XBR videos on YouTube, spotted yours and posted it just before you. Didn't mean to steal your thunder! Already looking a lot better after your clean up. Look forward to your posts in the project section 😀
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Welcome to the group, you have done a nice job getting that XBR running and looking tidy again
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Welcome to the group, you have done a nice job getting that XBR running and looking tidy again
Thank you and it didnt really take a lot to kick her into life. i checked to make sure the carb was clean and clear inside and after made sure was oil flow to the top end by kicking it over a good few times. I didn't start her dry as thats a fast way to destroy an engine thats been sat a good length of time.
Yes, welcome to the madhouse, I mean forum. Not so much a barn find, as a hedge find ;)
Keep us all posted on your progress, and best of luck. Loads of stuff on here, if you've time for a trawl through it all :)
Thanks. i had a good look through the forum and there's a wealth of info here :)
Welcome XBR_Mark! :)
Aye Steve (Manxie), if you or Mark need to contact the customiser of the XBR, website address still appears to be: Caferacerseats (http://caferacerseats.co.uk/)
Good luck Mark, with the shrubbery special.
My regards, Bill
Thanks for the link.
''shrubbery special'' - I like that hahaha XBR500SS!
A bit spooky that I had a quick look for new XBR videos on YouTube, spotted yours and posted it just before you. Didn't mean to steal your thunder! Already looking a lot better after your clean up. Look forward to your posts in the project section 😀
No worries, no harm done but yes, it was pretty spooky!
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If you need a copy of the workshop manual/parts catalogue/ loads of other XBR related articles PM me your address and I'll send you a copy on CD.
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Thanks for the warm welcome and thank you Steve for the referral, much appreciated.
This project will move a long quite quickly, completion being roughly 5-6 weeks away.
Im not a huge fan of the xbr500 factory looks, its the fuel tank, i don't think it suits the bike at all. With the right tank and tail, they make fantastic looking cafe's.
Morning Mark, the cafe racer I built :'( :'( :'(...had the original tank still in place with just a minor bit of cosmetic work with the angle grinder and I mean minor. I then formed a cafe racer hump to suit and fit in with the tank....the end result (IMVHO ) looked pretty good. Some pics on here somewhere of it, although I'm not to sure which thread they're under......anyway which ever route you take best of luck and keep Us posted...cheers.Michael
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(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/Mobile%20Uploads/20140831_022%20-%20Copy_zps68ohyz5i.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140831_022%20-%20Copy_zps68ohyz5i.jpg.html)
As Michael's chief image poster (for which I got paid handsomely in XBR bars!) please see his CR, above.
I love the bulbous tank, even more when it's "revealed" by a CR seat. But then I prefer the comstars to spoked wheels, so what do I know?! 😁
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Thanks for the warm welcome and thank you Steve for the referral, much appreciated.
This project will move a long quite quickly, completion being roughly 5-6 weeks away.
Im not a huge fan of the xbr500 factory looks, its the fuel tank, i don't think it suits the bike at all. With the right tank and tail, they make fantastic looking cafe's.
Morning Mark, the cafe racer I built :'( :'( :'(...had the original tank still in place with just a minor bit of cosmetic work with the angle grinder and I mean minor. I then formed a cafe racer hump to suit and fit in with the tank....the end result (IMVHO ) looked pretty good. Some pics on here somewhere of it, although I'm not to sure which thread they're under......anyway which ever route you take best of luck and keep Us posted...cheers.Michael
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/Mobile%20Uploads/20140831_022%20-%20Copy_zps68ohyz5i.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140831_022%20-%20Copy_zps68ohyz5i.jpg.html)
As Michael's chief image poster (for which I got paid handsomely in XBR bars!) please see his CR, above.
I love the bulbous tank, even more when it's "revealed" by a CR seat. But then I prefer the comstars to spoked wheels, so what do I know?! 😁
Thats pretty much the exact same tail i have just purchased! It was listed as Large White BMW style from carbon-moto-ltd on ebay. I chose that one to hide the top of the frame a bit and its hump is deep enough to nide the battery inside. The nice clean and un-cluttered look Micheal has achieved is what i hope to end up with, nice build chap.
If you need a copy of the workshop manual/parts catalogue/ loads of other XBR related articles PM me your address and I'll send you a copy on CD.
Very kind of you :) I will pm you my address.
edit: It appears i am not yet allowed to access the profiles of members so i may have to wait a little while to pm you. is there an minimum post count or time frame?
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Evening mark....first off, thanks to Matt (again :) :)) for popping the photo of my bike up :'( :'( :'(
The seat hump on mine was done by me and I formed it to suit the frame rails and rear of the XBR tank....best o luck with the one you've bought off fleabay..cheers, Michael
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You did a great job with the tail! i didn't mean to imply anything and im sure the finish is better than the quickly molded ebay one. I lack the skills to make molds so it would not be cost effective for me to try and make my own.
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Absolutely no offence taken Mark. All I really meant was if the bike is built to a reasonable standard it can look nice even with the original tank in place.....cheers, Michael
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You should be able to send me a PM - Click on the speech bubble thing below my avatar.
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hi and welcome mark looking foward to this build ,tommy
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I have come across some hard to get parts for my GS550/4 and after much thought have decided to maybe part ways with the xbr and make a start on the GS.. I do change my mind like the wind so i may not ::) I would like to keep her but space is a problem mainly and im sure there's someone looking for a project or a parts bike to keep there's going.
Price wise i wont be asking the earth, the engine must be worth £500 as a complete running unit so i may just ask for offers based around that for the complete bike. I know a few of you maybe disappointed and i apologize.
I'm located in Hereford, West Mids if anyone wishes to get in contact.
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Afternoon Mark,
shame as I was looking forward to watching your progress with the XBR caf racer project. Can't see you having to much trouble in selling it, especially at that kind of money. I've already got two plus the ikuzawa so not really in the market for another one right now. Best o luck with the sale tho and best o luck with the suzuki gs550 rebuild.
Cheers, Michael
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Its not set in stone really and i have been tinkering with the XBR today. if i end up removing the engine today, i may as well send the frame off to the powder coaters next week ;D
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Its not set in stone really and i have been tinkering with the XBR today. if i end up removing the engine today, i may as well send the frame off to the powder coaters next week ;D
If you do take it out it comes out easier from the LEFT.
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Its not set in stone really and i have been tinkering with the XBR today. if i end up removing the engine today, i may as well send the frame off to the powder coaters next week ;D
If you do take it out it comes out easier from the LEFT.
Just found that out ;D
the rear top mount on the right side has a bit that comes away, similar to the GS550 so i assumed it came out that way, nope. Tried it the other way and with a slight twist and fiddle out it came.
Was on my tod removing it but i was pleasantly surprised how light the engine was.
so now its out, i guess i had better get on and get her done.
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Good man, that's the spirit.....like I say looking forward to watching your progress with it.
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Keep with the XBR and cafe racer it, much more fun than a run of the mill gs, I have had a few of those, and my XBR is much more fun
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