80 Bobber

[ShootersHoliday]

not really an update. She is driving great though, & I actually like the stance. Just about perfect. Although she does hit if taking the corners too hard. That makes it easy to know I need to slow down

Two of my brothers bikes

[ShootersHoliday]

thank you sir!

[bikerphil]

Does anyone have the torque spec for that bolt?

14.5 ft/lb on the pinch bolt, the large main stem bolt is 61.5 ft/lb.

[ShootersHoliday]

Huge improvement!!!

Very small thing done yesterday. I put the pinch bolt back into the head at the top of the tree. Drove her like a bat out of hell on a twistier portion of the highway and it felt better at 65 on the turns than it did before at 50 on the flats.!!!

I was so excited! Definitely looking forward to building the brace now and stiffening her up a bit more!

Does anyone have the torque spec for that bolt?

[Eveready1100]

I wouldn't think it too important as to what they should be set at. Just so long as they're both the same. After riding the bike a bit, you may want to adjust up or down to suit your riding style.
Once you identify the forks properly, an oil change in them would be advisable as well just to make sure the levels in them is even as well.

[ShootersHoliday]

Nice tank Fix. I wanted to do that with a xtra tank I have but didn't get to it yet. Did you strip. polish and clear coat or did you have it chromed? Looks nice. You won't see another one like that too soon.
GW

in an earlier post he said it is just clear coated on the bare steel. I liked it too, definitely unique.

They'd most likely be up to the task, particularly if they are of the 900 variety. They'd have springs and valving pretty close to suiting the XS1100 and given a bit of a service and air pressure adjusted to suit the different weights, should do ok. Just one thing. Please go down to your local bolt supplier ASAP and get an allen bolt for the pinch clamp at the rear of the steering head. It could be a big contibutor to that wiggly feeling you're getting.
Also, those screw caps should have an indent you will feel as you turn the screws. Simply back them right off so you know where they're starting from, in case they are at different settings, then rotate them one notch at a time till you are at the position you want.
Last thing. Some sort of guard and / or brace is an essential bit of kit for the front ends of these bikes. Highly advise getting one once you establish exactly what forks and sliders you actually have there. Don't just bolt out and order an XS11 one. Chances are, it won't fit . Wait till you're sure.

Yah, I figured the fact that it was in and out of a shop that they would have caught the missing bolt. I haven't ridden the bike since I noticed it. If theres one thing for sure, I have experienced what a missing pinch bolt can do after hitting a wall at 65mph in my truck... Took about 3 years to even want to be in it again.

I can feel the screw caps "clicking" when I spin them, but don't know where they should be set at.

I did put the fender back on, and will also put a brace on it. Stiffening up the frontend is a priority.

[xs11lover]

I bobbed mine a bit, but maintained the shocks. I ride too many miles not to have 'em. I chopped the front fender as well, but left it there for structure. Even with that fender I can still twist the forks if I try. I need a tkat fork brace for my birthday.

Nice tank Fix. I wanted to do that with a xtra tank I have but didn't get to it yet. Did you strip. polish and clear coat or did you have it chromed? Looks nice. You won't see another one like that too soon.
GW

[Eveready1100]

They'd most likely be up to the task, particularly if they are of the 900 variety. They'd have springs and valving pretty close to suiting the XS1100 and given a bit of a service and air pressure adjusted to suit the different weights, should do ok. Just one thing. Please go down to your local bolt supplier ASAP and get an allen bolt for the pinch clamp at the rear of the steering head. It could be a big contibutor to that wiggly feeling you're getting.
Also, those screw caps should have an indent you will feel as you turn the screws. Simply back them right off so you know where they're starting from, in case they are at different settings, then rotate them one notch at a time till you are at the position you want.
Last thing. Some sort of guard and / or brace is an essential bit of kit for the front ends of these bikes. Highly advise getting one once you establish exactly what forks and sliders you actually have there. Don't just bolt out and order an XS11 one. Chances are, it won't fit . Wait till you're sure.

[ShootersHoliday]

Judging by the four position fork caps and the air balance fittings just under the top clamp, I'd say it's definitely a set of forks off an XJ 750/ 900. Maybe the whole front end complete.

I wondered in looking at pictures of that was the case. Are these an "ok" set of frontends?

[Eveready1100]

Judging by the four position fork caps and the air balance fittings just under the top clamp, I'd say it's definitely a set of forks off an XJ 750/ 900. Maybe the whole front end complete.

[fredintoon]

one thing on this pic I meant to point out. The set screw on the center isn't there. I imagine it should be?

Hi Shooter,
oh yes, a missing fastener can spoil your whole day.

[ShootersHoliday]

one thing on this pic I meant to point out. The set screw on the center isn't there. I imagine it should be?

And, on adjusting these forks. How do you dial it in? I don't see a "tick" or anything to set the numbers to. There is a setting from 1-4, but I can't see where to actually spin them to

[ShootersHoliday]

Hi Shooter,
the pics show you riding with no fork brace or front fender. The twitch may come from that lack; the brace and the fender both help to stiffen the forks.

Yah, I did actually put the front fender back on for the road trip this weekend. Did just under 200 miles, and she felt pretty good. Ironically, the rear being hardtailed felt much better than the wander of the frontend.

Although I never got her above 65, it ran well. The speed limit out there is 75, but hell, I'm not in a hurry.

I am going down to a cycle graveyard this weekend in an effort to find different forks. If that doesn't net me anything, I'll pick up the fork brace.

[fredintoon]

The "lively" steering was interesting doing a cone course this morning. Its definitely responsive, but a bit "twitchy" as well...

Hi Shooter,
the pics show you riding with no fork brace or front fender. The twitch may come from that lack; the brace and the fender both help to stiffen the forks.

[ShootersHoliday]

Hi Shooter,
yes, the forward axle mount with Standard 'trees will give you less steering trail but don't sweat that until after a good long road trial. You may get to like the livelier steering. TC's tale of unknowingly riding GodZilla for years with a collision induced frame rake reduction (which also reduces trail) is well worth your research.
There's 2 ways to go with the swirly front/straight rear spoke thing.
1) See if a straight spoke XS650/750/850/1100 front wheel will bolt up to the forks & disks you have.
2) Swap in a swirly spoke rear from a late model XS11 or an XJ11.
OK, 3 if you include "live with it"

I like #2, as I don't really like the swirlys. As for #3, I can't leave anything alone, and the mismatched wheels is killing me...

The "lively" steering was interesting doing a cone course this morning. Its definitely responsive, but a bit "twitchy" as well...

I'm doing about 200 miles tomorrow, so that should yield a good road trip sample.

I came across the GodZilla post, but will have to find it again and do a proper read.