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OPINIONS on Cafe XJ1100 Build wanted.

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  • #1

    OPINIONS on Cafe XJ1100 Build wanted.

    So basically,
    I've been on here for a while and have received ample help.
    You are all awesome, and I appreciate everything you have helped me with.

    Here is what I want now,
    YOUR OPINIONS!

    I bought a few piles of parts a while back that consisted mostly of, and most of and 82' XJ1100...

    I took it the direction of a Cafe bike.
    I've been wanting to build one for a while, and wanted to do one a little different.

    You don't see an 1100 cafe racer too often, so I decided to go for it.
    It is definitely not done yet, but I would say it is about 80%

    All that is left is removing, cleaning, painting and re-installing about everything.

    And carb sync and valve adjustment.

    BUT, it runs AWESOME!

    And personally I think it looks amazing.

    I know many of you are purists who want nothing other than to see a bike restored to original condition. I know what your opinions will be.
    I want the opinions of others, people who are into building what they want, like seeing custom stuff, and just like bikes period.

    This is the most recent pic:
    Have:
    1994 FZR600
    1982 XJ1100

    Had:
    1996 YZF600R
    2001 Honda xr125
    Suzuki race 80
    Honda PW 50
    Etc.

    Getting:
    1977 DT400
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Cover up everything rear of the gas tank with your hand and it looks great. Then take your hand away and you'll see what I'm talking about

    Just bad lines in the back of the bike. It looks jacked up. You need to prop the front of the seat up and fill in the gap it will create between the seat and the tank by replacing the foam pad with one you cut to fit the space. Have it reupholstered and then you're done. If you just grab bolt-on "cafe" parts and slap them on it's going to look like that's what you did and it's going to look bad.

    Here's what it SHOULD look like. Still not great but at least it doesn't look like the bike is being folded in half...

    78 E - 2to1 exhaust, dynatek coils, special headlight [SOLD!]
    79 F - gas tank refurb, headgasket change, straight pipes, late model carbs, virago lowering shocks, special headlight and gauges, TC fuse block, GSXR-1100 carbs (WIP)


    "May my tires not fail me, nor my engine grow cold"

    Comment

    • #3
      lookin good!

      Looking good so far.
      A few more pics. from different angles might be good too.
      I did something similar with one of mine recently.
      In my opinion it needs an old school roadrace front fender
      I found something I liked at "hotwing glass"via google.
      I just haven't coughed up the dough to buy one.
      See what you think
      Joe
      78standard,79 & 80 Specials; 2 x 650 Maxims; 4 x RD350's; yz450; 2 x Honda tlr's;2x jt1 mini.

      Comment

      • #4
        The only thing that I would do differently is paint the front fender. Usually a teardrop type tank is not used for a café racer but I kind of like it. Maybe add some racing stripes or a checkered flag to a portion of the tank...but then that's all been done before.
        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

        • #5
          Mostly, it looks pretty good. I'm not a fan of the side covers. Put stock ones on it, or move the electrics and leave them off. Put a muffler on it. This is my solicited opinion.
          Marty (in Mississippi)
          XS1100SG
          XS650SK
          XS650SH
          XS650G
          XS6502F
          XS650E

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by tcoop View Post
            The only thing that I would do differently is paint the front fender. Usually a teardrop type tank is not used for a café racer but I kind of like it. Maybe add some racing stripes or a checkered flag to a portion of the tank...but then that's all been done before.
            I agree, I was gonna get rid of it, but I found a seat pan that I though matched perfectly.
            Have:
            1994 FZR600
            1982 XJ1100

            Had:
            1996 YZF600R
            2001 Honda xr125
            Suzuki race 80
            Honda PW 50
            Etc.

            Getting:
            1977 DT400

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by D0wn5h1ft View Post
              Cover up everything rear of the gas tank with your hand and it looks great. Then take your hand away and you'll see what I'm talking about

              Just bad lines in the back of the bike. It looks jacked up. You need to prop the front of the seat up and fill in the gap it will create between the seat and the tank by replacing the foam pad with one you cut to fit the space. Have it reupholstered and then you're done. If you just grab bolt-on "cafe" parts and slap them on it's going to look like that's what you did and it's going to look bad.

              Here's what it SHOULD look like. Still not great but at least it doesn't look like the bike is being folded in half...


              I like the lines parallel to the frame, raising up the front would add more angles than I like, I like the base of the seat, frame, top of the side covers, and bottom of tank all parallel, looks great in my opinion. It isn't just slapped on it is cut/formed around the base of the tank, the bolt that originally held just the tank on also hold the front of the seat pan on.

              I see what you are saying about the pad, it COULD be parallel with the ground like you are suggesting, but that would leave lines uneven in another way, I just opted for the one I prefer I suppose.
              Have:
              1994 FZR600
              1982 XJ1100

              Had:
              1996 YZF600R
              2001 Honda xr125
              Suzuki race 80
              Honda PW 50
              Etc.

              Getting:
              1977 DT400

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by jetmechmarty View Post
                Mostly, it looks pretty good. I'm not a fan of the side covers. Put stock ones on it, or move the electrics and leave them off. Put a muffler on it. This is my solicited opinion.
                It has mufflers! ...just tiny ones. (:

                I agree, I would love to have that whole area open/empty, but the battery and all the electronics would be so hard to relocate! Plus I don't know where I'd put um!
                Have:
                1994 FZR600
                1982 XJ1100

                Had:
                1996 YZF600R
                2001 Honda xr125
                Suzuki race 80
                Honda PW 50
                Etc.

                Getting:
                1977 DT400

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by rdmcguy View Post
                  Looking good so far.
                  A few more pics. from different angles might be good too.
                  I did something similar with one of mine recently.
                  In my opinion it needs an old school roadrace front fender
                  I found something I liked at "hotwing glass"via google.
                  I just haven't coughed up the dough to buy one.
                  See what you think
                  Joe
                  I'll get more pics soon!
                  What sort of fender are you talking about?
                  I was thinking about cutting it shorter and painting it black!
                  Have:
                  1994 FZR600
                  1982 XJ1100

                  Had:
                  1996 YZF600R
                  2001 Honda xr125
                  Suzuki race 80
                  Honda PW 50
                  Etc.

                  Getting:
                  1977 DT400

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    This MotoLanna fender would look bitchin'! Sturdy too!

                    Marty (in Mississippi)
                    XS1100SG
                    XS650SK
                    XS650SH
                    XS650G
                    XS6502F
                    XS650E

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Road race fenders

                      The kind of front fender I am talking about is Narrow in the front and back,The old school ones were fiberglass and would hose clamp to the front forks,
                      As I mentioned if you google "hotwing glass"a pic. of an xs 650 will be on the home page with a café seat tank and fender in the Yamaha yellow and black motif.That is the type of fender I am talking about.
                      Sorry I am inept at transferring pics from other places.
                      Joe
                      78standard,79 & 80 Specials; 2 x 650 Maxims; 4 x RD350's; yz450; 2 x Honda tlr's;2x jt1 mini.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Any chance of a photo of you sitting on the bike in the riding position?
                        You've got the lower bars, but you've still got the forward mounted "easyrider" footpegs etc.
                        I reckon your elbows might just about be resting on your knees,eh?
                        79 SF Special W/ Stock all original motor @ 384,000klms
                        Stock exhaust, stock airbox, XJ sump, 78E carbs, Xs1100RH seat, Bosch superhorns, 5/8ths front M/c, braided lines, sintered SBS pads, drilled discs, progressive springs, 8" 50w HID headlight 4300K, 2 x 50w HID spiral driving lights, KONI shocks, Spade fuse box
                        *Touring mode - Plexistar 2 screen, Gearsack rack & bag & saddlebags, homebuilt towbar
                        *"The Keg"- UC torana hubs, XS11 discs, Tokico 4 spot calipers

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by rdmcguy View Post
                          The kind of front fender I am talking about is Narrow in the front and back ...

                          ... a pic. of an xs 650 with a café seat tank and fender in the Yamaha yellow and black motif.That is the type of fender I am talking about.
                          Hi, Joe -

                          I think this is the pic you are referring to (but slightly larger)

                          http://www.hotwingglass.com/photogal...ow%20xs650.JPG
                          Last edited by Prisoner6; 06-17-2014, 02:16 AM.
                          Marco

                          Current bikes:
                          1979 Yamaha XS Eleven Special (SF)
                          1979 Honda CBX
                          2002 Kawasaki ZRX1200R

                          Rest in Peace, Don Glardon (DGXSER) 1966-2014
                          WE MISS YOU, DON

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by jetmechmarty View Post
                            This MotoLanna fender would look bitchin'! Sturdy too!

                            I think I could make something like that out of the current one, with a jig-saw and bench grinder! Does look cool...
                            Have:
                            1994 FZR600
                            1982 XJ1100

                            Had:
                            1996 YZF600R
                            2001 Honda xr125
                            Suzuki race 80
                            Honda PW 50
                            Etc.

                            Getting:
                            1977 DT400

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Eveready1100 View Post
                              Any chance of a photo of you sitting on the bike in the riding position?
                              You've got the lower bars, but you've still got the forward mounted "easyrider" footpegs etc.
                              I reckon your elbows might just about be resting on your knees,eh?
                              It is actually very comfortable, I will get a pic of that soon.
                              Have:
                              1994 FZR600
                              1982 XJ1100

                              Had:
                              1996 YZF600R
                              2001 Honda xr125
                              Suzuki race 80
                              Honda PW 50
                              Etc.

                              Getting:
                              1977 DT400

                              Comment

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