Article By: Matt Reel
Photos By: Kerri Schindler
Originally Published In The May 2013 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
Paul Bucher’s first experience with the Yamaha XS 650 was in his high school days. Paul and his buddy would do some stop light drags; Paul on his Honda 750 and his buddy on an XS. Even though Paul had the extra displacement, the XS would always take him in the end. This stuck with Paul and he knew he would eventually have one. Skip forward to the present. With the popularity of the XS’s taking off again, Paul decided it was time to get his very own. A good platform was found on the Internet and a parts’ collection was started. Paul races vintage dirt bikes and has been a fan of Kenny Roberts back into his dirt track days. Using these influences, Paul’s build wasn’t going to be the bobber style that XS’s are popular for. Now with a plan, a bike, and some parts, it was time to find someone to put it all together. Everything was loaded up and hauled to Pandemonium Custom Choppers. If you aren’t familiar with Daniel at Pandemonium, check him out. He does some of the slickest fabrication work you’ll ever see, and builds all styles of bikes. Lately Pandemonium has been turning out some amazing XS models, so they were an obvious choice. With Paul’s plan and parts, Daniel started giving the XS the Pandemonium flair.
To get things started, a set of 19 inch Excel rims were laced to the factory hubs with stainless spokes by Buchanan’s. A set of Avon tires were then mounted to finish off the rolling stock. With that taken care of, the suspension was tackled.Progressive Suspension shocks were added in the rear while the front forks were torn down and rebuilt with Progressive parts as well. Once the forks were back together and in the trees, a fork brace was used to stiffen the front end. The stock brake set up was left in place, but after taking the bike for its first ride and realizing that stock XS brakes suck, they were replaced with the Pandemonium Brembo brake kit.
The XS powerplant is a great unit as is so the engine received only a clean-up. The clutches were upgraded and a hydraulic clutch from Hugh’s Handbuilt was chosen. From there the XS received a set of open air filters, a ½ mile exhaust system from Omar’s Dirt Track Racing, and a tune up. With everything sitting pretty, it was time for some finishing touches. Omar’s was again contacted and a fiberglass gas tank and tail section was ordered. These were handed off to Bobby Moon for a slick application of H-D Denim Silver and Satin Black paint. Once back and bolted on, the XS was starting to develop some attitude; a perfect combination of race bike and street fighter.
So is this the bike Paul had always wanted in high school? I would say yes, and quite possibly more than he ever dreamed of. He rides his XS constantly and gets looks of approval everywhere he goes. On top of that, he has already commissioned Pandemonium to build him a vintage Café Racer. So if you too are missing some of those early days of street racing or just looking for a cool little hot rod or bobber to keep your bagger company, give Daniel at Pandemonium a call. You’ll be surprised what he can do with these little economical bikes.
Street Tracker Tech Sheet
Owner: Paul Bucher
City: Ohio
Fabrication By: Pandemonium
Year: 1980
Model: XS650
Value:
Time:
ENGINE
Year: 1980
Model: Yamaha XS650
Builder:
Ignition: Stock
Displacement: 650cc
Pistons: Stock
Heads: Stock
Cam(s): Stock
Carb: Jetted
Air Cleaner: K&N
Exhaust: Omar racing 1/2 Mile
Primary:
TRANSMISSION
Year:
Make:
Shifting:
FRAME
Year:
Make: Yamaha
Rake:
Stretch:
FRONT END
Type:
Builder: Hugh’s Handbuilt/Progressive Suspension
Extension: None
Triple Trees: Stock/Omar Fork Brace
WHEELS
Front Wheel: Excel / Buchanan
Size: 19”
Tire: Avon
Brakes: Twin Drums
Rear Wheel: Excel / Buchanan
Size: 19”
Tire: Avon
Brakes: Stock
PAINT
Painter: Bobby Moon
Type: Primer
Color: H-D Denim Silver / Black
Chroming:
Powdercoating:
ACCESSORIES
Bars: 1/2 Mile
Risers: XS
Hand Controls: YZ Clutch Magura Brake
Gas Tank(s): Omar Racing
Front Fender: None
Rear Fender: Omar Racing
Seat:
Foot Controls: Dirt Bike Pegs
Oil Tank:
Speedo: Pandemonium
Taillight:
Headlight: Pandemonium
Photographer: Kerri Schindler