80 Bobber

[BA80]

I didn't notice that at first Steve but yeah, looks like a 750/850 special front end to me.

Measure the tubes. 650s have a 35mm tube and 1100s have a 37mm tube.

[cywelchjr]

Y'know, after looking at the pics again, I'm not sure what front forks he has... At first glance, they look like '81 MNS/XJ forks, but the rotors are much too small. Anybody with a better guess?

Definitately assembled from mis-matched parts...

You're right. Maybe 850 or 750 rotors? The main difference is the diameter of the rotors right? The wheels are for sure the wrong ones, look like XJ but that front tire looks WAY too big, at least to MY eye. But yeah, other than feeling (and the opinions were asked for here) that it's a poor bobber job so far, primarily because things just don't flow right. To me, when you do a bobber project, the point is to have a nice visual flow from front to rear, that's just not working for me here. As I said, the bobber part doesn't bother me on this one, he got a pretty molested bike to start with, but the elements are just not fitting together for me.

[crazy steve]

Y'know, after looking at the pics again, I'm not sure what front forks he has... At first glance, they look like '81 MNS/XJ forks, but the rotors are much too small. Anybody with a better guess?

Definitately assembled from mis-matched parts...

[cywelchjr]

I was going to mention that it started as a pretty badly done frankenbike. And with those triple trees and those front forks without even a front fender/mud guard on there I'd say the thing isn't even safe to ride, it's gonna head for the first ditch it can find. You need to as LEAST get a stout mini fender on there if not a fork brace to keep those wimpy 37mm forks from flopping around. I know with a hardtail your not going to be doing a bunch of canyon carving, but that combo is so flimsy as to IMHO not be safe as is.

And, lowering the rear 4" means the irreplaceable front universal joint is likely to have a VERY short life, as that puts it well outside the arc it was designed to run in. It might even chew up the FD but that I'm far less sure of, and those aren't so rare as the universal joint.

[crazy steve]

Well, it's not like he's trashing a nice original....

It very definately started as a frankenbike, with the '80 standard frame, '78 tank, '79 seat, and XJ forks/standard trees, etc... By the way, that fork/tree combo isn't safe, as it reduces your trail and makes the handling twitchy. Works fine if you're running a sidehack, but otherwise, not so good...

These bikes don't 'chop' well unless you do a lot of work, but it's your bike...

[natemoen]

Sorry, I agree with the first two. I think the stuff you have done so far make it look pretty bad and poorly proportioned. Some guys have been able to do things like this to these bikes but it takes a long time, a lot of fab work, and usually a lot of money. Many have tried to do it and most all have failed.....and usually failed miserably and then gave up and parted the bikes out. Sad end.

[motoman]

Nothin' personnell..........but +1 what B80 stated...........

[BA80]

Y'all keep it up and there won't be any of these old girls left in running order.

In my opinion you took a beautiful bike and uglied it up. But, that's just my opinion.

It's YOUR bike.

[ShootersHoliday]

this may make the purist (and the decent people) vomit, but here you are:

So here’s the start to my “build”… A 1980 XS1100 (not sure if its a Special, Midnight, G, whatever.. I’m not sure what to name her. I’m thinking Frank…

Stock Yamaha photo & a psudo plan photoshop




How she entered my life… She was an original owner bike. Any of the factory parts such as seat, lights, etc. are available for the cheap. I have pics for anyone here. You all have been very helpful!




About 30 minutes of ownership and all turn signals were off. Putting together some LED’ turn/marker lights.

Old school Sparto tail light (LED). The fender will be replaced pretty soon. I needed the stock fender to mount the temp plate as the PO had a bad title and I am waiting on that getting fixed.

I immediately dropped her about 4”. Need to bring the front down about an inch or so more.



Note the custom kick stand.. 


Hard-tailed the rear, threw on a springer seat (actually pretty darned comfortable). Still a bit to clean up and paint. But looking better for sure.

One of my co-workers Challengers. Pretty freaking sweet!