My Custom XS11 Build (Photos)

[fredintoon]

Hi Da-Bubble,
sounds good but there are a couple of items you might need to think about.
Flashers: the stock flasher unit needs 2 x 27Watt bulbs to load it before it will flash.
A $10 generic electronic flasher will work with LEDs but you will loose the self-cancelling feature. I've never understood how my Buick switched between the stop & turn features on the same filament when both signals & brakes were on. Unless you know the trick of it, I'd suggest getting another pair of bullet turn signals with amber LEDs in 'em and mount them superposed above the red ones.
Fork springs: yes by shortening the springs you avoided increasing the preload but that didn't come for free. Shortening a spring increases it's spring rate.

[Da-Bubble]

The pipe fitting I used was a black metal (gas pipe) coupler about 1.5" long. I took pictures but they may be on my bro-in-laws camera.

I am going to try to use a trailer light wiring module (per DiverRay's suggestion). I think as long as I wire everything in right, it should work. Or it could be a complete failure...only one way to find out! If all else fails, there's a company that makes an electronic module to convert to stop/turn/tails and compensate for LEDs, but I think it was about $80-90 bucks! I'll try it my way first.

[stoked]

Hey, what you gonna do with that windshield that was on there? I'm looking to purchase one of that style. PM me if interested in selling it. Thanks.

[Da-Bubble]

Windshield had a big crack and went in the dumpster the first day. Sorry man!

[Meatloaf]

Very nice DA. I'm not there skill-wise mechanically yet, but would love to do something like this someday. Leaving a Roadstar in your taillights will make this extra special for you.

Meat.

[fredintoon]

waste not, want not

"Windshield had a big crack and went in the dumpster the first day."

Profligate modern youth! Doubtless there were several square feet of acrylic that something or other could have been made from, A sexy little flyscreen or three perhaps, and you up and bin it?

[stoked]

Originally posted by Da-Bubble
Windshield had a big crack and went in the dumpster the first day. Sorry man!

Don't be sorry man, I would of done the same thing. I actually used to completly shun windshields. But after discovering the effect of wind chills at 10 degrees in January last year, I've learned to appreciate them more as winter approaches. Can't wait to see your bike when it's done.

[Gyrogearloose]

Wow, great job! An "A" for ideas, and an "A" for execution. Can't wait to see the paint. You've got my vote.

[petejw]

Very nice work,
looking forward to seeing the end result.

[79XS11F]

Love the look of the all black bike in the fist pics. Your paint on your wheels is nice. Good job.
Rob

[81xsproject]

Very nice. The dual light is something I have really wanted to do for a long time. I might go look into the HF lights.

[jwoell]

Hey Da-Bubble, any chance you could post that picture of the black pipe fitting you used to lower your forks? I happen to have mine apart at the moment and was waiting to put them back together until I fiddled around with the idea of lowering them. I have progressive springs that I'm putting in as well, so no need to cut the springs, just run a slightly shorter PVC spacer .

Thanks!

[prometheus578]

"Outstanding job!"

Just a few comments....
Rims look great, except...
Whomever balanced your tires(it may even have been you) should have used the BLACK stick on weights instead of the silver ones. Pick up a coupla' black ones from a bike shop and swap them out. Silver detracts from the overall effect.
Now that your clutch cover plate is all nice and shiny, take it to a trophy engraving shop and have them etch a mosquito on it. Steal the design from WWII bomber or fighter photos, etc.
Just my thoughts...
You did a real great job.

[Da-Bubble]

Jwoell, I can't find the pictures but I called my bro-in-law to see if they're on his camera. However, I did find the label from the fitting. It reads, "1/2-inch Black Merchant Coupling 521-223BG". Just do what I did and take the dampening rod to ACE with you and see what fits. I would use metal. I'm not sure that PVC (even SCH-40) wouldn't wear out over time. Plus in my neck of the woods they don't sell it by the foot anymore. You have to buy 10-foot sticks!

Prometheus, the guy at the tire shop didn't have any black weights. I figured I'd just paint them black but I like your idea better. I also love the mosquito engraving idea, although that is a little more permanent than a decal on the tank (if I ever get tired of it).

I can't find any pictures or drawings of pissed-off mosquitos. Might have to draw one up!!!

[Ken Talbot]

Hard to tell if this one's smiling or not...