Where to start on building a Desert Sled?

XS650s are great bikes for this purpose, but they're not as cheap nor common as they used to be, either. I recommend an old Honda twin, like a CB450 or CB500T. Still cheap and common, and parts are readily available.

Old thread, but thought I would post a couple photos of my just completed Triumph Sled

Number 2

Number 3

if you get a xs research the years,the early ones had a limited life crank.

Sa-weet!

Sa-weet!

Just plain bad ass!!! NICE build sir.

She certainly is a sweet lookin thing alright! Whats the disk on the back wheel about?

Thanks OldDog. The disks covering the rear overlay sprocket serve as a guard/guide. Back in "the day" many of the desert racers were running some huge (58 tooth) overlay sprockets. Combine 60's and 70's chain technology, a large sprocket hanging out there, narrow rock filled trails in places, and a 500 mile desert race......I think these guys were looking for any way possible to protect those old chains. Of course anyone worth their salt was carrying plenty of extra links and a couple of master links......but a busted chain still cost you time.

And those extra master Links were carried on your spokes, or more accurately where two spokes crossed.

Searching 'desert sled' for some ideas on my own project. Read this original post and it sounded pretty much exactly like what I wanted to build. Did you ever buy and build this thing?

Norton's version. 750 Atlas motor in a Matchless rolling chassis. The engine is not identical to a Commando, but is very very close and mostly interchangeable. Most parts available to provide whatever state of tune and level of reliability you can afford.
The Accessnorton forum has a dedicated section

Or the Rickman Bros version, as worn by Steve McQueen.
http://www.metisse-motorcycles.com/steve-mcqueen/

Just a thought as a total outsider looking in on this What about The Kawasaki 750 twin Rare compared to XS650s but i can not imagine they would be as expensive as the XS 650.

All it takes is TONS of money. Now back to the advice to NOT use a British bike for your first build

What about a Triumph 350 3TA they surly must be cheaper over there than Tiger 100sTR6 Bonies ETC.
Not quite the grunt of the bigger bikes but real Triumph and perhaps just within your budget.

crazy way of going about something like this.
no tools, no wisdom.
practice on a junk parts bike before butchering something good

Weren't the real ones back in the day just bigger & gnarlier tyres, scambler bars, a bit of bobing, loose the exhaust and lights. Back then people rode what they had\lay hands on.

Before they started evolving.
Maybe a 3\4 seat. At some point they would find an air cleaner a good idea. The BSA Catalina one looked really cool to me.
Add power and lightness, try to do something with the suspension, although that would take a long time to get right, first off it was more the idea of bulldozing your way through.

Seems easy enough.
Choose your base.

Ive converted several bikes to Desert Sleds. My current ride (and favorite) is a 2008 Triumph Bonneville. High pipes, skid plate, shorter front and rear fenders, Shinko 705 dualsport tires, Renthal aluminum bars and a factory Scrambler seat. Works great on the gravel and dirt roads, way fun on the street.

Ive got the B.C. pipes in the first picture for sale. P.M. me.