DIY whitewall for all models

[1st bike]

okie,
i was trying to help your cause and get ivan to post some pics, but it looks like kat took care of it! that is definitely not white. Ivan, blue is a good look on that bike! you should have ordered a few more for backups! and andrew where did you get your wrap from? i have been looking around and it looks like ebay is the way to go, to get enough to wrap the 4-1 i have on my xs it is gonna take like 2 rolls and cost 140 or so. too much just for a look if you are asking me.

[fredintoon]

- - - let me know how the hard tail rides, it sounds like everyone hates them, but it can't be that bad, can it?

Hi 1st,
my first 5 years on 2 wheels I rode what were then known as "rigid frame" bikes because only the unaffordable new bikes had rear suspension. Or tele-forks. Or brakes that half-way worked.
Let me tell you how it is to ride a rigid. Remember the scene from any of the "Rocky" movies when the camera zooms right in on Rocky's face and goes into slow motion and a boxing glove lands smack on Rocky's cheekbone and Rocky's face goes all wobbly and mucous flies everywhere?
Riding a hardtail is like that except it goes on and on and on.

[1st bike]

that sounds like it is mostly not good. so it looks cool, but really really really really really isn't fun....okay, i want to get ride of the double seat, and just put a pad on the fender, but i was going to drop the fender down a bit. do i buy stiffer shocks? or just leave it as it is and have the fender stick up a little more? i don't want to make this something unrideable, i just want that look to go along with rider comfort. maybe i am asking too much!

[AndrewHaley]

Believe it or not all my bikes are hard tail......and unsprung seats
i believe if you want comfort buy a dresser. if you want the raw feel of pure metal and moving rubber,if you want that real ride where its just man and machine...break your ass and ride a hard tail. only have one back for 1 lifetime.
and by the time im 60 i will be able to buy a new back vertebra and all...hahahah... but on a serrious not it doesnt vibrate and doesnt even affect me in anyway. i went on a 14 hour ride and never had one issue other than the occasional bad driver cutting us off.

[AndrewHaley]

As for the wrap i find that shopping around at pep boys or auto zone or even the mom and pop auto shops can get it really cheap for me and it only took half a roll from auto zone to accomplish what i needed.this roll cost me 45$ i think and the black i get from the mom and pop place down the road for 36$
auto zone and pep boys both carry this product but price does differ
i will find parts and things from all over to incorporate into my bikes,
ingenuity comes in many forms

[DiverRay]

Believe it or not all my bikes are hard tail......and unsprung seats

Here in Can'tafordya, the roads are so bad that you would need new kidneys in four hours! I know, I had a hardtail with unsprung seat when I was young, an I still had problems! 30 years ago when I was at Ft. Benning, I DID get around Georgia and the roads were nice!

[fredintoon]

- - - - i believe if you want comfort buy a dresser. if you want the raw feel of pure metal and moving rubber,if you want that real ride where its just man and machine...break your ass and ride a hard tail. - - - -

Hi Andrew,
been there, done that, paid the price. If you really want oneness with the machine, get yourself a modern 600cc sport bike and take it to the track. And remember, those things' superb handling is mostly due to their excellent suspension systems.

[fredintoon]

- - - I want to get rid of the double seat, and just put a pad on the fender, but i was going to drop the fender down a bit. do i buy stiffer shocks? or just leave it as it is and have the fender stick up a little more? - - -

Hi 1st,
do a net search for "motorcycle solo seats" and get thousands of hits. Pick one you like and go from there.
Moving the stock fender (either up or down) from where the mfr put it can be a load of hassle, especially if you want it to look good.
OTOH, many have replaced the stocker with an aftermarket fender to change the bike's look.
Some of the conversions even look nice but again, it's maybe more effort than you want to take on.

[joceiphus]

Hi Andrew,
Can you tell me what bike your kick start lever came from?
Did you have to heat it up and bend it?
Thanks
Joe

[XSokieSPECIAL]

joceiphus,

Do a search, or start a thread here and ask that question.

There are several people here who can help you with the kick start.

[joceiphus]

Thanks man. I have one, but I think I'll have to bend it when the exhaust is finished. Have you been to Ron's Cycleland over on Pine and Sheridan?
Talk about DROOL!!! I was like a kid in a candy store!!!!

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Thanks man. I have one, but I think I'll have to bend it when the exhaust is finished. Have you been to Ron's Cycleland over on Pine and Sheridan?
Talk about DROOL!!! I was like a kid in a candy store!!!!

No I haven't. I have heard of it though.

DAMMIT! And I was out riding today.

I will go check it out. From what your saying I'd better leave the Visa at home.

There is a kick start, from a Suzuki I think, that fits right on an 11 and tucks away nicely without bending.

[joceiphus]

Tell 'em you want to check out the salvage. You won't be dissapointed!
And they take visa, So watch out!

Joe

[randy]

The XS850 kicker fits the 11 and has the folding feature too.

[joceiphus]

The XS850 kicker fits the 11 and has the folding feature too.

Thanks man