Exhaust headers

Yesterday was the first time that I went to Eindhoven to start working on the GR650 with Martin.
We're gonna use the GR as a test case and the things we'll learn on the GR will help us to do make a killer XS650. Well that's the plan, haha

I always wanted to learn how to make my own exhaust. My plan with the GR is to turn it into a vintage flat tracker. I figured it needed a 2 into1 exhaust on the right side. So we started with the exhaust yesterday.

We decided to recycle the original headers and see how far we could get from there.
We worked until 2.30 last night and also worked on it today. Martin just bought a new welding machine so this was a nice opportunity to start getting to know the thing. We still have a to learn a lot but this is a nice start.
With a grinder we cut lines in the header so we could bend it tightly around the frame while trying to get a nice flowing line. I'm amazed of how well it went. Great start :)

Yamaha XS650 US Custom 1980

I was thinking about the bikes we could use. A Yamaha SR500, an XT500 or a XS650 had always been on my short list but in the Netherlands they are they are crazy expensive compared to other second hand Japanese bikes so I always tried to look for cheaper options. That's how I found my Suzuki GR650 five years ago.

But I was very lucky last week. I found a not to expensive great looking XS650 US Custom from 1980 with only 20.000 km's!

I called my brother that I wanted to take a look and some hours later we bought the bike and Martin transported it to Eindhoven the same night in his van .. Whoops! Hhaha :)))

So now Martin has these two bike's in his workshop.
Here are some pictures of the new XS together with the GR650.

They could be brothers of different mothers.
They are both Japanese 650 cc twin in line engines with an 80's "chopper" look in stock form.
19" front wheels, 16" in the rear, same tyres sizes

The XS650 has the better looks. The GR is 35kilo's lighter, has a just a little more torque, a mono shock and wire wheels.

My brother Martin Schuurmans and new big plans :)

This started two weeks ago. My brother Martin Schuurmans called. Martin is a industrial designer specialized in making chairs and over the years he's collected tools and machines that I can only dream of. He just finished his new workshop and now he wanted a new project to work on in his spare time. He always liked old cars, and when we where younger he was the one that was always wrenching on his mopeds in the shed.
He doesn't have enough space in his workshop to work on vintage cars right now but he also liked the idea of working on motorcycles. He knew I would like to do the same. I don't really have a good place to work on my bike, nor the tools or the the know how and skills to do it on my own so he figured why don't we join forces and let's see what we can make together.

As you can imagine I was super stoked about the idea and did not have to think twice about it. :)))

We decided to start working on my GR650 first as a test and if it would go well we would start looking for a new project bike. He picked up the GR650 from Amsterdam last week and send me this picture of the bike hanging in his workshop. :)