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Feature Bikes

XS Street Trackin

Article By: Matt Reel

Photos By: Kerri Schindler

Originally Published In The May 2013 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

May 2013 Feature 5a Kerri

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.

May 2013 Feature 5b Kerri

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.

May 2013 Feature 5c Kerri

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

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