New here, XJ650 lots of questions, I want to chop her!

I have had this bike about a year. She runs great. Im looking to chop it, into a Bobber style setup. Is there any way to make these chain drive? Are there any frames for these? I have searched and cant seem to find anything concrete. All the frames I find are for XS Yammies, and some say you CAN make these chain and others say it cant be done. Whats a new guy to think?

I paid $500 for it with a clear title, and it runs and rides fine as it is. It has to warm up a bit, but thats probably due to the carbs. Runs great once its warm though. Best $500 I ever spent!

 

i am new to these bikes as well, got mine the beginning of the year.

from what i have seen everything is 100% custom, no cookie cutter bs for these bikes.

also, from the clean bobbers i have seen, the exposed shaft rigid frames make for one really unique badass look. i think if you are going to convert it to chain drive you would be MUCH better just buying a chain drive bike to start with.

 

re: Shafties like the xj650 - 750s as bobbers.

The XJs can be chopped / bobbed but be cautious about going too low on ride height. The CV type U-joint may not live long if it's operating at an extreme angle.

I have a better suggestion based on personal experience.
Fairly powerful for their weight; the Yamaha Triple cylinder XS750-850 bikes can be converted to chain drive cheaply and easily without machine tools. www.yamaha-triples.org > see album pics and tech how-to's. IMO the XS bikes are simple and easy to work on and they can be had for dirt cheap $.

Big plus - with only 3 cylinders, single-wire ground harness, lots fewer relays means simple wrenching. Wire wheels, controls, chassis & electric parts interchange from XS650s etc. I bought lots of XS parts on eBay cheap when I did my custom "Gunfighter" - an 1980 XS850 triple.

The XS oem exhaust is great because it easily lends itself to custom fab work without going nuts or spending big bucks. I used gutted HD Softails on 3" long stubs & stock downtubes. It has a unique and gutsy "bad-boy" on-the-loose exhaust note that snaps heads (good fer safety).

If you're content with EZ cruisin' the old time Yammy XS bikes are a blast to chop - customize. And they have a superb ride even after being lowered conservatively. Great power: My xs850 S model had 79+ h.p. with worlds of low-end torque and could haul when the need for speed infected my right wrist. Surprised a few hot pick-up truck drivers.

Bullet-proof lower end comes with.
In its final state of tune the stock cammed xs850 Gunfighter could flat out smoke both my XJ1100 AND XS11-F off the line and through 2nd gear.

I plan to build another one - badder-to-the-bone with 900+ cc.