Hiding Fuses, Ignition Circuit, Battery, etc.

[Peanutbutter Nma]

Hey yall,

I just picked up a '78 Saturday after a bit of deliberation. I'm a bit of Yamaha fanboy, had an R6 and FZ-09 before this but in getting back into riding, I wanted something with a bit more cool factor. Saw an XS11 for $1200 on marketplace, read a bit about the history, and fell in love. Bought the service manual before the bike, picked it up Saturday and had the frozen brakes (all hail Liquid Wrench) torn apart by dinner Sunday. I'm in love and can't wait to sink my teeth in but I've got a lot of work ahead before she's seaworthy, so I'm sure I'll be posting here again in the future.

I'm planning on doing a lot of work to her, not really a cafe racer but I do want to give it a bit more of a musclecar/rat rod look while improving handling, and still keep her good for pillion for the old lady. Front R1 forks, gas rear shocks, maybe chaindrive with a bit of a downgear. Still working it out in my head. She's got a couple of couple of cosmetic boo-boos, but the worst of them is the missing side panels to cover the battery and fuse box. I'm already biting a fat bill between all rubber that needs replacing, rebuild kits, etc. and would rather **** a jar of razorblades than pay 100 dollars for old plastic. I have some aluminum around that I could rattle can and probably fab up some clips to hold it on, but that's a lot of work for a ****ty temporary solution.

Permanently, I'd really like to shoot for that clean cafe look with just pods and frame behind the carbs. I'm not afraid of a bit of fab work, but I'm really scratching my head trying to figure out where the hell these cafe racer guys tuck their junk! Like, sure, smaller battery, tucking it further up under the seat, but what else? This build is sweet, but I don't want to chop any electronics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Noa...MuTl2&index=23

Any ideas or posts someone can point me to?

[cajun31]

Looks like you are on the right path for what you want to achieve. Andy did an amazing job on his and there is a lot of good information if you take the time to watch the whole series on Basket Case.

[DEEBS11]

Here is what a hacked bike can look like if you are not careful.

[DEEBS11]

Help preserve nature son.

[LAB3]

It's pretty cool how they used hay to shim up those exhaust pipes to make them fit!

[DEEBS11]

LAB3, you should have seen the fire extinguisher "Gas Tank". The fuel outlet was a tube that was JB Welded into a hole exit on the left lower part of the tank. It was rusted to sh*t and leaked out. I wish I took a picture of it at the time. It was legendary.

[Peanutbutter Nma]

Looks like you are on the right path for what you want to achieve. Andy did an amazing job on his and there is a lot of good information if you take the time to watch the whole series on Basket Case.

Yeah, it seems awesome. Always looking to learn something new, it seems like he knows his stuff. He's definitely going a totally different direction than I'm aiming for though.

[Peanutbutter Nma]

LAB3, you should have seen the fire extinguisher "Gas Tank". The fuel outlet was a tube that was JB Welded into a hole exit on the left lower part of the tank. It was rusted to sh*t and leaked out. I wish I took a picture of it at the time. It was legendary.

How is the only plastic left on the bike the only things I need for mine? Don't worry, I'm a machinist not a methhead.

I'm trying to get her pretty close to stock first, just to honor the old girl. I also don't want a stable of bikes right now so I want to keep it running as much as possible which for me means no overly intrusive work until wintertime. After I'm done with all the tune-up stuff I'll start moving stuff around which is probably at least a year or two out.

[DEEBS11]

Hi PBN, keep in mind the plastic side covers on the Methbike are for a different year/model. Yours is like mine, 78. These are the correct units for 78.

[DEEBS11]

The Methbike today.

[DiverRay]

Also, as a Standard, the side covers will fit 1978 through 1981. The 1982 may also fit, but I'm not positive on that. Anything can be painter, so color is not an issue.

[LAB3]

Also, as a Standard, the side covers will fit 1978 through 1981. The 1982 may also fit, but I'm not positive on that. Anything can be painter, so color is not an issue.

I bought a 78 right side cover for my standard and it did not fit. The slots that go into the hangers are in a different position and even if you modify those slots the peg that secures the bottom is in the wrong spot plus the frame cutout along the bottom edge won't line up.

[bikerphil]

Yeah, the 78-79 Standard side covers are different than the 80-81.

[Larrym]

Bestest pics I've EvAr see'd, DEEBS11. ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Totally gleeped'em all fOaR my own personal collection. d(⌒ー⌒)

Thx! (人´∀`)

[DiverRay]

That explains my wrong answer. I've owned and own '78, and '79, but nothing later. I know the '79 Special is a one year only on a lot of body work, as I have one now, and helped Special Ed work on his.