Question on modifications

[GGrk]

Hi all im a avid dirt bike rider and I want to get a motorcycle for the street. I've looked at so many and really like the style of the Yamaha XS 1100 and Triumph Bonneville's. On the Yamaha XS 1100 I really wanna do some mods that fit my style, if some could answere these questions I would greatly appreciate it.

Can you use 7/8 strong BMX style bars on the bike or are they too short/weak?

Is there many seat modifications for the XS1100 thats the only part I dont like on the bike, I want a more "flat" seat with no hump in the back of it.

Preferbally I would like to have the rear tail light imbeded into the back of the seat instead of the rear fender?, is that legal in the state of new hampshire?

I want to do an affordable paint job on it. I was thinking gloss black Rustoleum paint (On a small budget)?

Suggestions on some unique good performance exhausts?

Enduro style tires?

Im kinda trying to make a dirt bike / motorcycle lol I just really like the style of the XS i think it could fit well

Thanks,

Ryan

[lakecountrydave]

Welcome!

I'll try to answer some of your questions. First off you can use any 7/8" bar that you want. Although there is a king/queen style seat available the stock seat is fairly flat. You can or have a seat modified as your talents or budget allow. The same goes for your tail light and paint job. I do not know what is legal in New Hampshire. You can get a Mac exhaust system and possibly others. As far as enduro tires and making a dirt bike out of an XS1100 I think that you have the wrong bike. Anything can be done, but this is a very heavy bike with late 70's/early 80's street bike suspension components. As you are in New Hampshire the winter might be a good time to look for a dual sport bike since that appears to be what you want.

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/1541465163.html

[XSokieSPECIAL]

As you are in New Hampshire the winter might be a good time to look for a dual sport bike since that appears to be what you want.

Thank you dave.

My thoughts exactly except those weren't the words I was thinking.

[GGrk]

Thanks for the info guys yeah I know its a pretty heavy bike for what im looking to do to it. Its just I think it would be neat and diffrent, I dont know if i'd actually bring the beast off road.

Would it be possible to fabricate a street bike performance exhaust like an FMF on the bike or would you have to rejet tha carb?

[tw1980]

I'm gonna have to throw in with the other guys.I'm not sure what your planning but the enduro tires makes me think your barking up the wrong tree with the xs1100 unless you can shave 100-150 lbs off the bike.Also I think you'll be unhappy with the suspension on unimproved roads or trails.But if you have the skills to fab an exhaust system,like you mentioned maybe I should be the one asking you questions.As for your question on jetting the answer is yes.If the new exhaust flows better you must usually go richer on cv carbs.

Terry

[tarzan]

On the Virago site I use, there was a Virago converted to dirt bike.The virago has a monoshock and is way lighter.You may want to check that out.
BTW-that Viarago looks bad a$$.

[Schming]

The right track...

Is this something like you had in mind?
http://www.650motorcycles.com/XS650scrambler.html
If so the XS650 is a great candidate.

[GGrk]

Thanks so much Schmig that thing rocks, very similar to what I pictured.

[fredintoon]

Hi all im a avid dirt bike rider and I want to get a motorcycle for the street. I've looked at so many and really like the style of the Yamaha XS 1100 and Triumph Bonneville's. On the Yamaha XS 1100 I really wanna do some mods that fit my style, if some could answere these questions I would greatly appreciate it.
Can you use 7/8 strong BMX style bars on the bike or are they too short/weak?
Is there many seat modifications for the XS1100 thats the only part I dont like on the bike, I want a more "flat" seat with no hump in the back of it.
Preferbally I would like to have the rear tail light imbeded into the back of the seat instead of the rear fender?, is that legal in the state of new hampshire?
I want to do an affordable paint job on it. I was thinking gloss black Rustoleum paint (On a small budget)?
Suggestions on some unique good performance exhausts?
Enduro style tires?
Im kinda trying to make a dirt bike / motorcycle lol I just really like the style of the XS i think it could fit well
Thanks,
Ryan

Hi Ryan,
you do realize that at a 600+lb dry weight an XS11, even when fitted with knobbies, dirt bars, flat seat and upswept pipes is only going to look like an off-road bike, not actually be one?
That said, all those proposed mods are doable.
Note that the '80 & newer Specials have their rear lights mounted right up against the back of the seat and that's presumably OK in New Hampshire so I'd guess that burying the light inside there would be OK too so long as the lens is big enough to match the State regs?

[crazy steve]

Hi Ryan,
you do realize that at a 600+lb dry weight an XS11, even when fitted with knobbies, dirt bars, flat seat and upswept pipes is only going to look like an off-road bike, not actually be one?

I'll second that for sure. I'll bet I have more 'off-road' experience on a XS11 than probably anyone else here. The last 3/4 mile to my house is dirt/gravel, and at one time the closest town (via a 'shortcut'), 8 out of 10 miles one way was gravel road. And this wasn't a nice county road; this was a mainline logging road. Herding the XS on that stuff is no fun at all, and about the only positive thing I learned was how to pick up the bike single-handed. If you try this, make sure you have engine guards, and buy levers/turn signals in bulk.

And I can only imagine how fast a XS could gobble knobbies (ooo, that's almost a dirty joke) seeing how fast they can eat street tires.

'78E original owner

[trbig]

After riding across the desert for many miles a few weeks back, I have to say that I was rather impressed with the way my XJ performed offroad. I have ridden dirt bikes for many thousands of miles in the desert, (and those logging roads around Washington State where I grew up) so I have a bit more experience than most maybe, but I had no problems throwing the bike around in rutted sand/dirt or across rocky washes even with another 100-150 pounds of gear loaded up high on the bike and my 265 pounds. The low end torque was a definate plus. I wouldn't go around jumping with it, (OK.. I have and will again.. but probably not good for them.. lol) but with a decent set of on/off road tires, I'd have no problems at all getting off the blacktop and seeing some different sights, so I guess that would put my opinion in the minority here.

Good luck on whatever you decide.


Tod

[GGrk]

I think this project will be alot of fun im gunna name the bike YZ BEASTMODE

Heres the basic things I wanna fabricate on the bike now after thinking about it.

-Shave the gas tank frame, seat,directionals powercoat the frame and tank YZ250 graphics style, molded dirt bike front fender

-Racing dirt bike pegs

-BMX style monkey bars with ASV unbreakable clutch and brake lever

-dual fmf pipes jetted carb

-Dunlop fatty enduro tires


Other stuff im not yet sure on are diffrent forks maybe CRF150R forks, would prolly have to make a bigger bore on the frame tho to make it work.

Its kinda gunna be a bobber/dirt bike, when im done i'll post pics im gunna gather everything and start next month

[lee_dutcher]

more power too yea on going with your style...who know maybe you will inspire someone else on here to try to make a megamoto bike like you.......oh and dont forget to post pics!!!!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey GGrk,

One little wrench in your works might be the LIMIT of the size/width of the rear tire that you can put on these machines, due to the drive shaft housing. A fellow did some mild modding and cut out and rewelded a plate in that area that put it closer to the actual drive shaft to allow a little more room, but it's not much. So...you'll need to shop around to see what size KNOBBY you can actually get and fit in there. Check the specs for a Dunlop Elite II 130/90 and 140/90 depending on if it's a Special or Standard frame and RIM...16" vs. 17"!

The other option would be modding it further into a CHAIN DRIVE, see tech tips, threads, etc.. Chain drive with different swing arm would allow use of MONO SHOCK which might provide more ground clearance.

Have fun, and definitely post some photos!!
T.C.

[tw1980]

Sorry I don't want to discourage you but I see so many of these chop,cut,rebuild threads that just go away and nothing or very little ever happens.Then the bike gets sold for parts on ebay or sits out and gets another couple years worth of rust.Please don't cut up another fine machine unless you finish the job.Thanks for your appreciation for these fine machines.

Terry