Entries by Hugh Owings

Inspired – What inspires you?

I recently found a picture that made me want to get back into the shop and get to working on my projects.   This fellow has a TINY little shed he is working out of, he has a small workbench, tools hanging on the wall, and probably has to keep the door open just to breath […]

Another Rephased Engine – For an XS650.com member.

   277 Rephase, stock bore, stock head, Mikuni VM 34MM Roundslide Carbs, Stock Headpipes, Pamcopete Ignition XS1 Camshaft. This is a Kick Only engine, we deleted the starter and all the related shafts and gears. Still needs to be broken in, fully tuned, camchain re-tensioned, head re-torqued and such, but this is a great running […]

Polishing… Such a pain, but SOOO Worth It!

So I hired a local kid who wants to learn and earn…  Sounds good to me.  First thing I did, was toss him on some really ugly side covers and engine covers that he couldn’t hurt.   A few hours later, he was in full swing and grabbing anything he could around the shop to learn […]

Death by wheel – Spy Pics

So I haven’t put up any pics anywhere of my next build.  Its in the “pile of parts” stage, though the tubing for the frame is on order, and the engine cases and all other alloy parts are all bead blasted.  I’ve got a set of axle plates coming from XS650.com (support the site, buy […]

Sportster – A work in progress

My best friend Seth and his old man Tony came down to the shop this week to hang out and work on their 1996 883 Sportster.   I say “their” sportster, but this is really Tony’s bike.  Hes something like 107 years old, so I get a feeling that Seth will end up riding it more […]

Death By Wheel – Finally Done!

Hrmmm, will I kill myself on these things or not? I left a little more meat on the rear wheel, there was a substantial weight savings over stock and I think they look pretty rad to boot.   A little closer look at the rear wheel.  I should be ordering my tires and some other parts […]

Custom Trees – XS650 Goes Honda XR250!

I’ve got a friend named Bill.   Bill is the kind of guy that gets the craziest ideas in his head and will send you an email at 3:00AM asking about possibilities and techniques to create his crazy ideas…   I like Bill.   Bill is also the kind of guy you want to Bench Race with, even […]

Cheap Tricks – $3.00 Starter Delete

Wanna delete that starter on your XS650?  I would, and usually do.  While building an engine for an XS650.com member, I was turned onto the idea of using a 1 53/64″ freeze plug instead of the $15.00 MikesXS kit.   There is talk of needing to sand down the edges of the plug some, but I […]

XS650 Rear Brake Made Easy – DIY

Today I had a chance to finish a Batch of the DIY Rear Brake Pivots.    I’ve been using these on several of the builds that I have been a part of, but never offered them to the public, until now….   Machined from 1018 Steel, these Rear Brake mounts are a perfect fit for your […]

Speed Tested and Wife Approved!!

So by now, if you haven’t figured it out, I’m a bit of a gearhead.  I like making things, and I really like making things go faster than expected. A few years ago, I bought my then girlfriend (now my lovely wife) a 1997 Honda Rebel.  It was a bit beat down, had some rust […]