Finally some progress to report!!

[cnjfarm]

Just wanted to post a few progress pictures of what I'm doing. My brother passed away on August 01, 2006 and he loved bikes and had always wanted to build one, but at the age of 57 he left us. This 79 XS1100 Special is being reformed in his honor and will bare his name in rememberance when I get finished.
At the moment, everything, with the exception of the seat and mirrors are still original. The bars will change as they do not go with what I think my brother would have wanted. But everything is original, other than having been cut and relocated. Hope you guys can understand my build and restoration and what my motivation is and thanks for the help I have recieved here, hope you all like this.
This is how it came home.



Now this was a photo op I took in between rain showers this morning.


Kind of matches my truck.



Hope you guys enjoy this, but it's all for my brother, my hero, thanks guys...Scott

[CatatonicBug]

Nice job! I like the color. It really brightened it up a lot! How do you like that seat? Is it comfy?

[cnjfarm]

Couple of the shots didn't come through so here they are.






Any more advice is always welcome.....thanks...Scott

[cnjfarm]

Bug, The seat is still under construction, originally it was the second seat of a kawasaki.....going to get metal today to start on the pan......still have to mount my brake and turns yet...still a few electrical things to work out as well...noticed some places while outside I need to touch up on the motor as well....

[fredintoon]

...going to get metal today to start on the pan......still have to mount my brake and turns yet...still a few electrical things to work out as well...

Hi Scott,
sorry about you losing your brother but that bike is a great memorial.
Let me suggest that the rear fender be moved back so it's curve matches the arc of the rear wheel.
To go with the bobbed look, you could use two combo tail/brake/signal lights;
one on attached on each side from the top fender mounts or the top shock bolts.
NAPA sells a ~$15 gadget to convert separate signal lights to combo brake/signal lights.

[cnjfarm]

Thanks Fred...The rear fender is just temporarily placed at the moment, got a break in the rain and shoved it outside for pics. The rear most edge will be lifted just a little, I still have to weld in two more mounting tabs at the front yet. Tail lights are a combo of tail/stop and turn. Two of them to be mounted on the lower rear edge of the fender on both sides. Plate will be a horizontal mount just above the rear calipers. Trying to find some sheet metal to build my seat pan with, what is up on the bike is just the cushion out of the second seat off a kawasaki. They seem to be good donors for covered up accessories....

[radical123]

I like the look.your brouther will be with you on the ride's.I lost my brouther back in 1990 and i can feal him on all my rides.
The cover you have over the headlight is cool.i am looking for one for my 80 mindnight.if you or anyone can sorce one for my ride that would be nice.
"Ride safe brouther"

[cnjfarm]

Radical, that cover was on it when I got it, but I will keep an eye out for one....and thanks for the comments....................scott

[foreda]

Brother

I know you're pain, I lost my brother in March to cancer. Same age as your's 57. Good luck with the restoration. Looks like you are doing a great job!

[cnjfarm]

foreda, thanks for the comments and my sympathies to you as well, I think about him everyday and it's all for him!!! Tthe two things he liked was bikes above anything else and "Old Spice", that being said, I think that the bike will be nicknamed "Old Spice" just for him..............thanks...scott

[foreda]

Old Spice

foreda, thanks for the comments and my sympathies to you as well, I think about him everyday and it's all for him!!! Tthe two things he liked was bikes above anything else and "Old Spice", that being said, I think that the bike will be nicknamed "Old Spice" just for him..............thanks...scott

I like that!! "Old Spice"

[cnjfarm]

With that having been his favorite and being he has set sail on a new journey thats going to be it....so from here out I'm building my brothers bike "OLD SPICE" and the color fits with it as well!!!

[fredintoon]

Thanks Fred... - - - Trying to find some sheet metal to build my seat pan with, - - -

Hi Scott,
sheetmetal up to 24" x 48" can be found at no cost by salvaging the outer cases of scrapped domestic appliances.

[cnjfarm]

Fred, I had a similar idea in that within a short distance of where I live there is a recycler(aluminum cans, metals and such), planning on going there if the monsoons ever let up......we are really getting hit with the rain in Arkansas...

[foreda]

Weather

Fred, I had a similar idea in that within a short distance of where I live there is a recycler(aluminum cans, metals and such), planning on going there if the monsoons ever let up......we are really getting hit with the rain in Arkansas...

Looking at the current radar.. It's not over yet with the cold front that's moving in!! Batten down the hatches!!