new to the crusier world

[bigbusamike]

I have had many bikes up to this point, buit this will be my first venture into the crusier world. I have owned sportbikes for the last 7 years. My wife and I recently seen a new Triumph Thurxston and fell in love with it. Then I started trying to fiqure out what older bike I wanted to make a cafe racer out of it. THIS IS IT!!!!!!!!! I am now in the process to find one to start for my winter project. I have a lot of question for you
what is wet weight of this bike?
Can you get spoke wheels for this bike?
How many gears is it?
Can you change it over to a chain drive, and how hard is it?
can I change out the steering head eventually and change it over to R1 style using there front forks and clip ons?

Any help is much apprecaited

[MrOzz]

Welcome to the forum. You will find lost of info here.

As chain drive goes check out this Thread.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ht=chain+drive


Ozz

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome aboard, Mike. There are a few others here who have gone the cafe route. You'll find answers to all the questions you asked by doing a simple search in the forum.

Not sure off the top of my head on the Wet weight. MOst usually worry about the Dry weight, and add the weight of the fluids. I guess it depends on how many miles from the last gas station you are.

Front Spoked Wheels are easy, as the xs650 wheels swap over. However, getting a rear spoked wheel is much more difficult.

Chain conversion has been done, but be prepared for some ribbing from other members here. It's a lot of work and expense to DOWNgrade away from the superior shaft drive design of these bikes. It does allow for a wider rear tire if that's what you're looking for though.

The steering head swap has been done as well. Search the forum, and you'll find a few posts about it.

Good luck, and post pictures of your adventures! We like pictures here!

[fredintoon]

- - - THIS IS IT!!!!!!!!! I am now in the process to find one to start for my winter project. I have a lot of question for you
what is wet weight of this bike?
Can you get spoke wheels for this bike?
How many gears is it?
Can you change it over to a chain drive, and how hard is it?
can I change out the steering head eventually and change it over to R1 style using there front forks and clip ons?

Any help is much appreciated

Hi 'mike and welcome,
600lbs easy, more if there's a fairing and luggage.
You already got spokes, seven in each wheel.
3 choices of XS650 wire wheels plug straight into the front which locks you into a 19" rim
plus you can lace the rim of your choice into an XS650 front hub if you want a different rim diameter.
The back takes effort. Find the unobtanium wheels from Japan (see the appropriate posts) or chop the hub
from a stock cast wheel and machine it to take weld-on wire-spoke rings and again,
lace the rim of your choice onto it.
Chain drive conversion is possible, there's all the info you need right here.
Chain will let ~10% more of the engine power reach the blacktop but compared to a shaftie
you must nurture a chain like a sickly child. And send your jeans to the cleaners a lot to get the grease out.
OTOH, there's rear wire wheels for a chain drive everywhere.
Yes, you can change the steering head to whatever you want, all it takes is a skilled welder and good knowhow.
Finding that last item can be difficult.