2024 and we still kickin!

I've neglected the blog for a bit.  Like, I dunno, 6 years?

Much…
July 17, 2024/by Hugh Owings

2018 – What to expect from HHB

A new year has landed upon us, and its gonna be a good one!

 

Looking…
January 8, 2018/by Hugh Owings

MOSFET Regulators? Why?

It's been a while since we've updated the Blog, but here ya go!

Let's…
January 25, 2017/by Hugh Owings

How-To: Properly Crimp Wires and Terminals

I posted the below pic to our Instagram and Facebook page earlier…
July 29, 2016/by Hugh Owings

Wiring and You

Gonna keep this short and sweet...

Sometimes we get returned…
July 14, 2016/by Hugh Owings

HHB’s new Charging System/Ignition Combo! And more!

Well folks, I know its been a hot minute, but we've been working…
May 2, 2016/by Hugh Owings

Hugh’s (Kinda somewhat occasionally) Annual Birthday Sale!

Thats right!  Another year older, and passing along the…
April 12, 2016/by Hugh Owings

How To – Inspect and Test your PMA System

I don't know about you folks, but for us, spring is already nipping…
March 7, 2016/by Hugh Owings

How To: HHB Fender Strut Kit

Let's Get this party started!  This kit can be used on both…
July 2, 2015/by Hugh Owings

XS650 Chopoff and Gathering in Ohio.

Yea man!  It's coming!  The XS650 Chopoff has been a blast…
April 21, 2015/by Hugh Owings

Tuned and Stepped X-Pipes for XS650…

Well folks, before you start blowing up the email and comment…
April 13, 2015/by Hugh Owings

HHB Fork Braces for SR500 and XS650

We  don't typically like to toot our own horn, it's just not…
April 9, 2015/by Hugh Owings

Naked! That’s right…

We haven't forgotten you folks, we've just been keeping busy…
April 7, 2015/by Hugh Owings

Let’s talk…. About the weather, forums, and social media….

Alright gang, I promised I would make more updates on the blog,…
February 25, 2015/by Hugh Owings

New Website and You – what to expect! Also, where to find HHB Goodies!

Well folks, you now see that we have a NEW and MUCH Improved…
February 10, 2015/by Hugh Owings

Happening at HHB – Whats new, and what was old, well, it’s dead…

Howdy Folks!

It's been a while since I've done a new blog…
February 3, 2015/by Hugh Owings

MountainFest This Weekend!

Well folks, We've been busy as can be, but that won't stop us…
July 22, 2014/by Hugh Owings

New HHB Product Release! 100% Bolt-On Oil Cooler

It's been long in the tooth, so to say, but as with ALL HHB products,…
February 20, 2014/by Hugh Owings

750cc XS650 Engine, Rephased and Ready to run!

This is a fairly rare opportunity for someone NOT on the Current…
February 17, 2014/by Hugh Owings

Engine Services and all that jazz…

Well folks,  it's February!  And with February normally comes…
February 3, 2014/by Hugh Owings

21 Questions with Michael “Hugh” Owings

I can't say that I'm not proud of this one.  I've watched the…
December 19, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Hugh’s HandBuilt Black Friday Sale!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving - we want to show our thanks for…
November 25, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Keeping up with the Jones’s (Or the Hugh’s, either way really)

To Quote Arlo Guthrie's "Alices Restaurant Massacre" lyrics -…
November 19, 2013/by Hugh Owings

How-To: Install Your Weld-On Headlight Mount

This one is SIMPLE folks...
We all know that the XS650 Vibes…
October 28, 2013/by Hugh Owings

DIY – Stick Out Your Neck, and Show It Off!

First off, yes I know it's been a while since I've posted any…
October 23, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Oh My Lawd! Is it true?!?!

There have been many many people interested in buying this bike…
October 16, 2013/by Hugh Owings

For Sale: 700cc Rephased XS650 Engine – Ready to go!

Its not a common occurrence, but here we have a beautiful and…
October 14, 2013/by Hugh Owings

It’s been a while – NEW PRODUCTS!!!

We've had a wild year here at the Hugh's HandBuilt shop.  If…
October 3, 2013/by Hugh Owings

The Traveling Trophy

This is the tale of a rather swell feller, who I happened to…
August 15, 2013/by Hugh Owings

270 Degree XS650 Engine

With the Flood, and the move - we are WAY behind schedule for…
August 6, 2013/by Hugh Owings

MountainFest – July 24-28th, Be There (we will be)

Well folks, we are on the road again. This Wednesday we take…
July 22, 2013/by Hugh Owings

HHB Fork Braces – Now Available

Well folks, I've been breaking bad on the tubing bender this…
July 3, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Smokeout East – 2013

Folks, It's hotter than a ballsack in a burlap bag..  It's…
June 19, 2013/by Hugh Owings

A fresh start – New HHB Headquarters

If you read through our previous post on the Pay It Forward Chopper…
June 10, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Pay it Forward Chopper Build

So it's been nearly a Month since our shop flooded.  Tons and…
May 29, 2013/by Hugh Owings

HHB Flood Of 2013 – News, Updates, and a “Flood Sale”

Well folks, we've had a LONG weekend...  I had planned to ride…
May 6, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Meltdown 2013

This past weekend was a KILLER vintage event - The Meltdown. …
April 30, 2013/by Hugh Owings

HHB Slimline Brake Master Cylinder – Now Available

YES! We've tested and used a TON of master cylinders on all of…
April 22, 2013/by Hugh Owings

XS650 Hydraulic Clutch Swap Kits

*THIS PRODUCT IS DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER CARRIED BY HUGHS…
April 22, 2013/by Hugh Owings

277 Rephased Goodness – from the vaults of the internet!

800x600

Letters from Bill Denton to the Yamaha 650 list

 

Dear…
March 28, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Alabama Swap and Drags – Who’s Goin?!?!

Alright folks, I'm thinking of loading up the trailer with some…
March 21, 2013/by Hugh Owings

HHB T-Shirt Design Contest!

Well folks, the time has come for a new T-Shirt Design. …
March 19, 2013/by Hugh Owings

HHB Customers – The Best in the World!

I talk about the details of a build, and how they matter all…
February 27, 2013/by Hugh Owings

A tale of 3 NC Hoodlums – Lowside Syndicate Timonium Show

This is a short tale of how 3 Hugh's HandBuilt Hoodlums traveled…
February 12, 2013/by Hugh Owings

“Speedster Pipes” – Pre-Order yours today!

That's right folks, a new product for the XS650 Enthusiasts out…
January 28, 2013/by Hugh Owings

“Slight Hell” – Our Latest XS650 Build

Those of you who watch the forums, or facebook, know that we…
January 23, 2013/by Hugh Owings

All Praise the RePhase!

I remember "Alfredo" on the forums - he had a really kick ass…
January 22, 2013/by Hugh Owings

270 Degree Rephased XS650 engine? Yes we can – and did!

I'll let the video do a little talking this time... I'm sure…
January 17, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Details – make all the difference…

I tore down my "brat" bike this past week, spent several hours…
January 8, 2013/by Hugh Owings

Have a Red Hot New Year!

Have a great new year folks...  Thanks so much for…
December 31, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Whats happening lately at HHB?

Well folks, it's nearing the end of the year, and we figured…
December 11, 2012/by Hugh Owings

TDC – and how to find it…

Top Dead Center - something most XS650 folks are probably taking…
December 11, 2012/by Hugh Owings

And the winner is????

JASON H - Step right up and collect your prize!!!

Thanks so…
December 1, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Graphiti Photoshoot – The Tennessee Rose

My friend Roy built this bike, and it kicks ass... He calls it…
November 26, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Holiday Giveaway! – Don’t miss out on this!

I've been sitting around, thinking of all the things I am thankful…
November 19, 2012/by Hugh Owings

SOLD! A Rare One – Fully Built Bottom End Now Available for Exhange. SOLD!

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD!!!!  This thing…
November 14, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Scary! And on Halloween too…

I have a friend who went and bought a Craigslist special... …
November 1, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Hurricane Sandy – Shipping News from HHB

Well folks, as most of you know, we are under a pretty heavy…
October 30, 2012/by Hugh Owings

SOLD – XS650 Rephased Short Block – SOLD

*SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

Well folks, I'm finally getting…
October 16, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Tech Articles and How-To’s: Now in one place

 *Not my photo, stolen from Pipeburn.com - cool site, check…
September 25, 2012/by Hugh Owings

My Kind of Customer.

A picture is worth a thousand words...
 


 
September 19, 2012/by Hugh Owings

PMA Systems – BACK IN STOCK!

Thats right folks, we've got the goods once again...  

We…
September 19, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Happenin’s at Hugh’s HandBuilt

Well folks, as you already know, I'm a new Dad - and life is…
September 12, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Major New Project – This Just In!

Well folks, we just had a HUGE project come in, and we'll be…
August 8, 2012/by Hugh Owings

For Sale – Rephased XS650 Hot Rod Engine… 1 of a kind

Completely Rebuilt from Top To Bottom.  I built this engine…
July 27, 2012/by Hugh Owings

We might be slow, but we don’t cut corners…

So most folks know that we've had to turn away engine builds,…
July 20, 2012/by Hugh Owings

The Tennessee Rose

I don't do alot of bike write-ups, but this one just makes sense. …
June 25, 2012/by Hugh Owings

David Bird Hardtail – with mods…

First off, let me say that I think the David Bird Hardtail design…
June 13, 2012/by Hugh Owings

How-To: Pamcopete 277 Ignition Install

Ok folks, lets do this....

As you know, I recommend Pamcopete…
May 30, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Voodoo Vintage Roller – For Sale!

We have a genuine Voodoo Vintage Roller for sale, with a Clean…
May 17, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Metric Bungs! Keep that metric build 100% Metric!!

Well the time has finally come, that I got a few spare moments…
May 14, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Happenings within Hugh’s HandBuilt

Well folks, we've been SLAMMED this spring - and we aren't complaining. …
May 2, 2012/by Hugh Owings

XS650 Hydraulic Clutch Conversion – Install Instructions

WE NO LONGER SELL COMPONENTS FOR THIS SWAP - Read carefully the…
March 14, 2012/by Hugh Owings

How NOT to ship an engine…

Got this engine in today from a third party.   The new owner…
March 7, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Announcement – Complete Engine Building Services – Announcement!

Well folks, we've come to a decision today about this riding…
March 6, 2012/by Hugh Owings

XL250 Pipe? Sure, why not!

So we had a feller come in here a week ago or so, who has been…
March 1, 2012/by Hugh Owings

How-To: Install your Hugh’s HandBuilt PMA System on your XS650

Seeing as how we developed the first Complete Permanent Magnet…
March 1, 2012/by Hugh Owings

CBR600RR Trees Modded to Fit XS650

Did a little custom machining today.  Modified a set of OEM…
February 21, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Rubber Tank Mount

Alot of Japanese, British and French bikes have those funny little…
February 17, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Thanks for your support folks, we will be back after a short intermission, make sure to get your drinks and snacks!

To
all my customers: We are expanding our production and parts…
February 13, 2012/by Hugh Owings

February weather in Asheville.

Pretty lame winter so far.  I rode my wife's Hot Rod Rebel to…
February 10, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Digger Rearsets

I've been slowly hacking away at my digger project.  Knowing…
February 10, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Identical Twins

We've got a customer who likes our work so much, he couldn't…
January 26, 2012/by Hugh Owings

Another Hardtailed XS650 Frame

This frame was never meant to be...  At least not from our hands. …
December 19, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Drilling Rotors

We have made very little progress on Tevan's Cafe' build in the…
December 19, 2011/by Hugh Owings

A Visit From Canuckistan

Had some folks make the drive down to Asheville NC from Canada…
November 23, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Engine Run Stand

So I needed to test run a new engine for a customer..  My old…
November 22, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Cafe’ Swing Arm – Getting into the Swing of Things…

Doing a little bit of work on Tevan's Resto-Mod Cafe Project…
November 3, 2011/by Hugh Owings

New Pricing on PMA Swaps – And Better Components!

Genuine Hugh's HandBuilt PMA swap for your XS650!

We offer…
October 27, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Harleys can kiss my…. AKA – Sit on this!!!

Time to put some Harley parts to good use...  And what better…
October 19, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Speedster XS650 Hardtail

I've had a very patient customer waiting on some framework -…
October 13, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Gotta Learn Sometime Right?

This is Tevan who has been a serious help around the shop since…
October 4, 2011/by Hugh Owings

RIP – Justin McMullen – Benefit Auction

I am copying this from the TCU and ChopCult.  RIP Justin

Some…
October 1, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Kreidler!

Moving into the new shop, also brought a great shop mate into…
September 29, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Girder Goodness!!!

Finally been making a little bit of progress on my latest personal…
September 26, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Long Rod XS650 Crank – We can do that!!

I've been wanting to build one of these for a good long while. …
September 23, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Cafe’ Hub

Modifying an ugly stock XS650 Hub for Tevan's Cafe' Project... …
September 19, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Tevan’s Vintage Resto-Mod Cafe’ Project

So we are finally getting a few things in line here at the shop. …
September 16, 2011/by Hugh Owings

MOVING! – New Shop Space!

Thats right folks, I've finally hit maximum  capacity in my…
August 5, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Biker Metric – And other randomness

Trent Reker of BikerMetric dropped in for a bit last week, we…
July 18, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Engine Building Services – Now Available

Well folks, I've been avoiding advertising my engine building…
July 10, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Speedo Deletes! Now Available for XS650’s

Thats right folks, its been long in the making, but I am finally…
June 29, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Rollin’ to the SOE

Took a trip with my shop helper to the SmokeOut 11 in Rockingham... …
June 28, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Look what the cat drug home…

Took a trip over to Sylva, and brought back a truck full of randomness...

The…
June 9, 2011/by Hugh Owings

The beginnings of a Girder…

The newest build requires a custom fork.  Even with stock forks…
June 7, 2011/by Hugh Owings

PRICE DROP! – XS650/SR500 Riser Bushing Kits

Thats right folks, after much deliberation and due to relatively…
June 3, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Photoshoot of the 70’s “Survivor” Chopper

My friend Staton Carter was kind enough to travel to Asheville…
June 3, 2011/by Hugh Owings

XS650 – Clutch Upgrade! More Disks = More Grippage

Been working SLOWLY on my latest XS650 Build.  Knowing that…
June 1, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Parts Stash

Been slowly gathering up new parts for the latest build.  Between…
June 1, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Big Mountain Run – What this means for my customers

That's right folks.  I'm taking myself on a trip through the…
May 9, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Metal Lathes – Why everyone should have one!

Updates have been sparse lately, due to a TON of crank and cams…
May 5, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Get your paint on!

My man John Dills is now taking on a few more paint jobs.  If…
May 2, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Mock-Up

I got a few minutes to mock up my new ride!

Found this old…
April 15, 2011/by Hugh Owings

My Birthday Present To Myself!!

So you guys have seen Death By Wheel! which was a sorta kinda…
April 12, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Interview with Carolina Rider

Always love to support the local talent, be it my painter's,…
April 10, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Dino’s Savage – Done for now..

Over the winter, a friend of Mine decided to finally repair…
April 4, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Rad Dudes and Cool Bikes….

I've been building an engine for a dude on the Chop Cult that…
March 24, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Survivor XS – Paint by Dills Paintworks

The feller that does all the rad paint for "Wheels Thru Time"…
March 22, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Battery Boxes – In The Works

Well, I'm at it again.  Several products are on the back burner…
March 19, 2011/by Hugh Owings

RARE XS1/TX560 Big Bore Kit (For Sale)

What we have here is a used XS1/TX650 Big Bore kit.  These are…
March 16, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Failed Cranks – Why to properly build and weld an XS650 Crank

Ok, let me start off by saying that I have heard several people…
March 15, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Inspired – What inspires you?

I recently found a picture that made me want to get back into…
March 11, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Another Rephased Engine – For an XS650.com member.

 
 277 Rephase, stock bore, stock head, Mikuni…
March 6, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Polishing… Such a pain, but SOOO Worth It!

So I hired a local kid who wants to learn and earn...  Sounds…
March 3, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Death by wheel – Spy Pics

So I haven't put up any pics anywhere of my next build.  Its…
February 28, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Sportster – A work in progress

My best friend Seth and his old man Tony came down to the shop…
February 24, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Death By Wheel – Finally Done!

Hrmmm, will I kill myself on these things or not?

I left a…
February 24, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Custom Trees – XS650 Goes Honda XR250!

I've got a friend named Bill.   Bill is the kind of guy that…
February 18, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Cheap Tricks – $3.00 Starter Delete

Wanna delete that starter on your XS650?  I would, and usually…
February 14, 2011/by Hugh Owings

XS650 Rear Brake Made Easy – DIY

Today I had a chance to finish a Batch of the DIY Rear Brake…
February 4, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Speed Tested and Wife Approved!!

So by now, if you haven't figured it out, I'm a bit of a gearhead. …
February 3, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Ooops, did I do that?

It has been a great January here at Hugh's HandBuilt.   There…
January 31, 2011/by Hugh Owings

The Survivor XS – Almost done

Well gang,

I spent the last 5 days working on the Survivor…
January 27, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Built to ride…

Sometimes I look at this picture of my first bike build, and…
January 19, 2011/by Hugh Owings

New Product!! Solid XS650 Riser Bushings

Ok, these have been long awaited by many of you XS650 Builders…
January 18, 2011/by Hugh Owings

The Devil in the Details – Tank Modifications

I'm building a bike using a "Stock" Mustang tank.   An Ebay…
January 15, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Fabricator Parts – Do it yourself Bungs

Ok, so this post is gonna be a little misleading.   I'm not…
January 15, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Flip that fender – Trailer Trash turned Prom Queen

Trailer Fenders - What more can you say?

They work great,…
January 15, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Shiny and New? A new lease on life for 35 year old parts…

Somebody in CA is getting some shiny new forks for their motorsickle...…
January 15, 2011/by Hugh Owings

Re-Phased Goodness!!!

This is the kind of thing I live for!  Hot Rod Motorcycles of…
January 8, 2011/by Hugh Owings

XS650Chopper.com Interview

It's been a while, but the first thing ever published about my…
December 10, 2010/by Hugh Owings