Chopper builds

[RJFort]

yeah the stock for my bike is 120 and 140. It had work done before I got it and I did a little myself. This bike moves. I dont discount the power of the xs11. My bike is heavy, about 800 or so and not stripped down, so I understand what you were saying. Anything with a motor should be resected, cuz you could kill yourself with a vespa. 2 wheels no cage and over 75-80 mph, for me, not a good mix. keep her under 70 if I can. Power is there just in case though.

[RJFort]

ugh not 120 140, im an idiot, i meant stock for my bike is 106 and 120. sorry brain faster than hands sometimes

[crazy steve]

I'll field this.... The VTX is rated at 97 hp, the XS at 95. The twin has better torques numbers (115 vs 66), but weighs 140-some lbs more. These specs are according the magazine tests done when the bikes were new. Quarter-miles are similar, with the VTX being the slower of the two with reported times of 12.3 compared to the XS which could do 12-flats....

[RJFort]

has the vance and hines big shots, barons big air kit and power commander III usb race ready module. Not sure why that one but it works.

[RJFort]

Crazy Steve my version is 2002 vtx 1800C. This model came with slightly more hp. 107 actually not 106, and 120 lbft torque.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/hon...800_c_2002.php

The C model was their "sport" version i suppose.

[crazy steve]

has the vance and hines big shots, barons big air kit and power commander III usb race ready module. Not sure why that one but it works.

Rich, being a V-twin owner also, I've learned to take power claims for a lot of the aftermarket stuff with a large grain of salt. It's unfortunate, but most aftermarket V-twin exhausts are designed with sound/looks as the main thrust and any performance gains are usually by accident or simply the fact that the factory exhaust system is so bad, advertised claims to the contrary. The latter is particulary true for Harleys, the metric bikes usually have a pretty good factory system. The 'retuning' is more often than not a 'fix' to mitigate the effects of the changes to make them run right more than a hop-up deal. You'll gain some power as the factory tunes are usually fairly conservative, but not what you could get if you selected parts for their power-adding ability rather than looks. In the V-twin world, looks can be everything to some... kind of like a hardtail....

[crazy steve]

Crazy Steve my version is 2002 vtx 1800C. This model came with slightly more hp. 107 actually not 106, and 120 lbft torque.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/hon...800_c_2002.php

The C model was their "sport" version i suppose.

Heh heh... that still leaves the VTX sucking hind tit... Power to weight ratio advantage goes to the XS with a .17 hp per pound vs the VTX at .15....

Ditch some weight off a XS, the number gets better.

[RJFort]

Steve, I understand everything you just said. I am not arguing whether a twin is any better or worse than a 4. I now understand the difference, 4's rev higher so put out more hp at higher revs, therefore at higher speeds, and the twin has more, pull a uhaul trailer, bottom end. All I REALLY know is that the bike I currently ride wont be as big a difference as people originally anticipated. I do see that it will take more getting used to than I thought at first glance. Just to reiterate, I do not ride like a jackass, and take all precautions necessary to be safe while riding.

As to hardtailing the xs, I have been looking into it and trying to make sure it gets done the correct way and not the easy way. I originally thought to hardtail as it was the only way I could see to get the look I want. I thought of a mono shock and cant conceivably understand how to make that swap. I definitely will not rake this bike, as I do so enjoy making turns in a decent sized area. If you can come up with some decent alternatives, I would be more than willing to listen. I seem to have hit and wall in that area.

[crazy steve]

Rich, I'll send you a PM....

[jetmechmarty]

V-twin quick

Some of the Japanese cruisers have very heavy flywheels and are slow to spool. I've ridden bikes that can pull a car out of a ditch, but still get off to a relatively slow start. I think the big Yammie has a 45 lb flywheel.

FWIW, I never communicated that anyone was unwelcome here. I just put out there how I feel about the guy waving a Sawsall at me, that it feels like taunting. Do your thing. I'm certainly doing mine.

Peace

[EricHa]

Rich, you can get a lower look while still maintaining the rear suspension by just buying shorter shocks. If you leave the front end stock this will increase the rake and trail, slowing the steering down somewhat while increasing straight line stability. Stiff springs in the shocks would help keep you from bottoming, but still be better than a rigid for real world conditions. A cut down seat with high density foam will further lower the riding position.

I understand where you're coming from on wanting to build a low slung ride. I should post a pic of my old Shovel chop tomorrow when I get back to my computer. It had rear shocks but was still fairly low. Anyway, it all comes down to what you want to accomplish, and are willing to live with. How about telling us what exactly what you're aiming for, slammed bike, bobber, chop or Pro Street drag style.

[joceiphus]

Steve, I understand everything you just said. I am not arguing whether a twin is any better or worse than a 4. I now understand the difference, 4's rev higher so put out more hp at higher revs, therefore at higher speeds, and the twin has more, pull a uhaul trailer, bottom end. All I REALLY know is that the bike I currently ride wont be as big a difference as people originally anticipated. I do see that it will take more getting used to than I thought at first glance. Just to reiterate, I do not ride like a jackass, and take all precautions necessary to be safe while riding.

As to hardtailing the xs, I have been looking into it and trying to make sure it gets done the correct way and not the easy way. I originally thought to hardtail as it was the only way I could see to get the look I want. I thought of a mono shock and cant conceivably understand how to make that swap. I definitely will not rake this bike, as I do so enjoy making turns in a decent sized area. If you can come up with some decent alternatives, I would be more than willing to listen. I seem to have hit and wall in that area.

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8220

[jetmechmarty]

I like the way this bike looks.

[Nightengale]

not how i feel

i am one of those guys that has a post about my bobber i am building. I didnt make my post to wave anything in anyones face, i wrote it because it is my first build and so far i am proud of what i am doing. i just wanted people to see what i was doing, so that i could get opinions, and posibily some advice, and maybe some suggestions. thats all. i didnt mean to offend anyone or say "look what i did to one of your precious bikes". I am not that kind of person. this is one of the best bike sites out there, for one of the best bikes made. when i first got my bike i didnt know anything about it, other than the fact that it was $300 and i could afford it, and afford to make it what i wanted. I wanted a bobber, but to buy a custom bobber that someone else made was not for me. I wanted to make my own. It has been a dream of mine for a long time to build my own bike. i now know how great these bikes are, and how much everyone on here loves these bikes. if i had known what i had when i got the bike i would have went in a totaly different direction. again i do value everyones opinion on this site, thats why i wanted everyones feedback, both good or bad. one thing i know about everyone speaks their mind and thats what i like about everyone here.

[madmax-im]

I think the biggest bone of contention for me is cutting up the frame for the hardtail look..it isnt necessary to butcher the frame to get the look you're after...There are members here who have gotten the look without chopping up the frame and with excellent results. One such member XS11lover has done several that look outstanding. That and the perception that its "only a bike" when clearly its alot more than that to most of us. Admittedly I have become old school and the fact that I've owned my XJ since I bought it brand new 29 yrs ago doesnt help. That is not to say you all arent welcome here and remember you did ask for opinions...
Hey what would y'all think of me taking my XJ1100 and turning it into a dual sport bike???...J/K...
check out XS11lover's bikes in this thread...
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...084#post354084