1978 Kawasaki KZ650 SR

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This was one of "The Alexandria Three" that my buddy Greg Ownby and I bought for a good deal up near DC this summer. My long-time friend Devin Bousquet bought one of them from us and it became part of the family. We gave it "the treatment" with an '04 Gixxer 1000 front end and a slimdown. Jetted with pods and a proper 4-into-1 exhaust, this one is silky smooth with plenty of power. Canister shocks from Mike's XS are adjustable and have just the right look. A custom electronics tray under the seat keeps everything looking skeletal and clean. Everyone pitched in — even Devin's mom who made the seat cover on her industrial strength sewing machine. In fact, she'll probably be doing seats for all the bikes soon. (Photos: Adam Ewing).

 

1979 Yamaha XS650 Special

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Meet Lefty Lucy. A compact, scrappy little miscreant — much like her owner, Richmond, VA art producer Cindy Hicks. Lucy rides on a front end modified to use an 18-inch XS400 front wheel. That, along with the lowest of rear shocks is a big help for the sub-five-foot Miss Hicks. It sports custom side panels, seat and paint job that are retro beyond 1979. Powdercoated fork sliders, wheels and mufflers make it very black. Except for the red, I guess. Jetted Mikunis, free-flowing exhaust and pods keep bike and rider happy. Clip ons mounted above the top yoke make for nice lines and a comfortable riding position. Long live Lucy. (Photos: Adam Ewing).