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I think I've FINALLY run out of things to fix...

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  • I think I've FINALLY run out of things to fix...

    After picking up my first motorcycle nearly two years ago, and fixing/replacing nearly EVERYTHING on it, I think I've finally got it to the point where riding has become more important than fixing. This is what my baby looked like two years ago:



    And here's what she looks like now:







    I believe she's been christened the "Dot-Z", for the sound the starter makes as it slips when it's extremely cold outside. (It's sitting in front of my cold-weather mode of transportation, an S-10 called "The Green Bean".) Let's see if I can remember all the work that's gone into it. In no particular order:

    -New back tire
    -Replaced the fork seals
    -Replaced the gas tank
    -Rebuilt the rear caliper and replaced the rear MC
    -Replaced front fairing with stock blinkers and headlight
    -Tore apart and cleaned the carbs more times than I can count
    -Replaced and (later) re-covered the seat
    -Plugged an oil leak in the cam chain tensioner
    -Added a 12v socket for a GPS (along with GPS mount)
    -Re-welded the right exhaust, both pipe and a bracket
    -Replaced the rear shocks
    and last, but not least,
    -New (rattle-can) paint job

    I'm still considering re-doing the paint job if I can find a couple of cheap-might-as-well-be-free ammo boxes that are comparable in size to the bags I have now. Something to reflect my Polish heritage, perhaps. I'd also like to snag a small trailer for some long-distance rides. But that's all for when I get some cash. For now, I'd just like to enjoy what I have, rather than anything ELSE to fix. I'd just like to thank everybody here, because without you guys, I wouldn't know my @$$ from a hole in the ground. THANKS!
    Currently XS-less.

  • #2
    Nice job it looks good. I bet it feels good to have it done and out riding it.
    Ty

    78 XS1100E - Now in Minnesota
    80 XS1100LG - The Punisher
    82 XJ1100 - Current project - The Twins
    82 XJ1100 - Wife's Bike - The Twins
    82 XJ1100 - Daughter's Bike
    72 Suzuki TS125 - Daughter's Bike
    72 Yamaha Mini JT2 - Youngest Daughter's bike (She wants a bigger one now)

    Comment


    • #3
      Looks Great!!

      Don't you love it when all your hard work finally pays off?

      Ozz
      Four wheels move your body, two wheels move your soul.

      ATGATT, It could save your life!

      1980 XS 1100SG
      Dyna 3 Ohm Hi Output Coils
      Pod Filters
      DynoJet Kit
      T.C.'s Fuse Block
      Slip Streamer Turbo Windshield
      Custom Tank and Side Cover Decals
      V-Max Auto CCT

      Comment


      • #4
        Looks sweet! Can't wait til I get to that point with mine. Sllloooowwww goin.
        2007 Yamaha r6
        81SH

        Comment


        • #5
          great!

          Very nice bike!

          You should consider the lost rally next month.
          NW Illinois. Check postings
          Tom Clisham

          Age is relative YOU WON"T GET OLD TIL YOU SELL THE BIKE
          _____________________________________________

          '78xs1100E ,all stock & original GONE TO WISCONSIN

          '80 SG Vetter fairing,hard bags,trunk,fork brace,
          stock headers with fishtail mufflers,black & beautiful GONE TO ARIZONA

          79SF lowered,jardine 4/2 exhaust,pod filters,drilled rotors,fork brace, bar hopper

          79SF 1 owner,8000 miles, restoring to completely original ( I hope) GONE TO FRANCE

          Comment


          • #6
            Nice machine! The paint scheme looks great (even with rattle can) and the turndowns are pretty trick!
            Richard
            '79 XS1100SF "Phantom Stranger" full fairing w/radio and cd player, H-D Roadking trunk, everything else stock
            '02 Honda VTX1800C

            Comment


            • #7
              Very very nice! Congrats!
              Nathan
              KD9ARL

              μολὼν λαβέ

              1978 XS1100E
              K&N Filter
              #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
              OEM Exhaust
              ATK Fork Brace
              LED Dash lights
              Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

              Green Monster Coils
              SS Brake Lines
              Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

              In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

              Theodore Roosevelt

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Lucien Harpress View Post
                - - - and last, but not least, -New (rattle-can) paint job - - - I'm still considering re-doing the paint job - - -
                Hi Mike,
                good to see that you are finally riding the bike, Kudos!
                I dunno how you can live without an air compressor but there is another (and comparatively cheap) way to get away from rattle-cans and their single mix non-gasoline-proof paints:-
                http://www.preval.com/
                A Preval set-up lets you mix up just enough 2-part paint to do the job and leave only the odd spoonful of mixed paint to discard before it turns into a hockey puck.
                Fred Hill, S'toon
                XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
                "The Flying Pumpkin"

                Comment


                • #9
                  hi Lucien! super job, i noticed you had installed floor boards,, i have a set and want to put them on my bike ,, did you have any problems installing them ,, did they interfere with the brake pedal or the shifter ,,thank you and ride safe ,,slow mo!
                  The Belfast Express {1980 xs11oo special/TC fuse box/mikes xs pods/bad boy horn!/mikes green coils/mac 4 into 2 exhaust/ standard bars/vetter fairing c/w ipod CD iphone am/fm radio/tkat fork brace ,,,tuned by tinman
                  moemcnally@hotmail.com
                  i AM THE KING OF NOTHING

                  the people here are great , doesn't matter about the bike really/hamjam ////

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thanks for the replies, guys. Like I said before, without you I wouldn't be riding.

                    fredintoon- I was able to find a two-part aerosol clear coat to protect the important bits, so I did okay:

                    http://www.spraymax.com/index.php?id=361&L=1

                    Still, as I said, if I get the time, money, and motivation, I'd like to re-do it. I've got a buddy with a high-capacity air compressor he said he'd let me borrow. We shall see.

                    slow mo- Sorry to say, I have no clue. They came with the bike when I bought it. In addition, the PO installed a heel-toe shifter on the left side. That being said, I'd almost guarantee you you'd need to do a bit of modification to all the foot controls. The floorboards look like they move everything up about 6 inches, so you'll either have to find a modification kit of some sort, or get busy with some scrap metal and a welder.
                    Currently XS-less.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Do the floorboards have a name on them? I just picked up a set on ebay, wondering if they are the same.
                      Nathan
                      KD9ARL

                      μολὼν λαβέ

                      1978 XS1100E
                      K&N Filter
                      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                      OEM Exhaust
                      ATK Fork Brace
                      LED Dash lights
                      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                      Green Monster Coils
                      SS Brake Lines
                      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                      Theodore Roosevelt

                      Comment

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