78 xs11

[brid]

Hi All,
I'm new here, and - whilst not an XS owner, am working with a shop in Austin TX. We have a customer 'dog bike' in right now, that he wants to build into a street racer. I have plenty of experience building Brit, and some Euro racers -- but, never tackled one of these rascals before!! My first idea is to do something of a KR replica TZ750 scheme -- and secondly, maybe a Rob North Trident?
First thing we'll be looking at is changing out the complete front end - for a modern one -- upside down forks will be fine, along with decent discs -- maybe Brembo?
Anyone here gone that route? Any suggestions about what will (& wont!!) work will be greatly appreciated. As and when we come up with a firm plan (and the go ahead!!) - I'll post progress pix!!
Thanks in anticipation,
Brid Caveney.

[natemoen]

I have heard of a couple people I think using a busa front end. What it took to do it i do not know though.

[cywelchjr]

I think that someone did an FJR front end as well. I think there is even a thread on here about it.

[crazy steve]

well, here's one option...

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ight=fork+swap

For even more, try here...

http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=10.0

[WMarshy]

I think Chop is using busa forks and a mono shock on his tricked out ride, maybe he or someone else will chime in. Basically, if your going to put different forks on the front you can count on changing the upper and lower trees. IIRC the busa uses the same sized tapered bearing as the XS, as does the FJ...

[crazy steve]

I'll add that one of the issues with swapping forks on these is the rather short XS neck/stem. Most modern bikes have longer stems (even the ones that share stem bearings) so you'll likely have to address this with whatever forks you choose. I have yet to see a fork swap on these that's a true 'bolt-on'... all have needed some fabbed parts.

[brid]

Well thanks for the input guys. I wasn't expecting anything to be a 'shoo in'
Either modifying stems - or building a new one isn't a problem -- as having interchangeable bearings is the biggest deal. The 'Busa' option sounds interesting. Maybe 'Chop' has some thoughts?
Again thanks!!
Brid.

[natemoen]

His name is xschop, you could pm him and ask.

It wouldn't be ungodly difficult to cut the neck off and weld on the neck from the donor bike.

[brid]

His name is xschop, you could pm him and ask.

It wouldn't be ungodly difficult to cut the neck off and weld on the neck from the donor bike.

No reply to the PM I sent to ZX11Chop? Anyone know if he's still around?
We had a 'Busa' in for repair last week -- so I took some quick measurements (rough ones!!) Looks like the 'Busa' forks are nominally around 4" shorter than the stock XS11 ones. I don't see any way to get the rear of the bike down 4" - to keep the geometry somewhat correct?
The stock XS forks are (nominally) 32" from axle centre to top of top triple clamp ---- 'Busa' = 28".
Maybe there is decent (modern) Yamaha front end out there that would work --- Dual disc - upside down etc?
Cheers,
Brid.

[DGXSER]

The gentleman your looking for goes by "XSCHOP" here on the forum. But he has not been around in a month or so. You may find him at the XS11.org site.

[brid]

The gentleman your looking for goes by "XSCHOP" here on the forum. But he has not been around in a month or so. You may find him at the XS11.org site.

Thanks!! I 'typo'd' in my last post - with ZX11Chop, should have read XS11Chop. I found XSChop's profile - and PM'd him.
Cheers,
Brid.

[yamahansolo]

If you decide not to go with modern forks I would get racetech gold valve emulators!!! I live in the north ga mountins and we have some awesome roads. The bike easily feels 50 pounds lighter with these and handles like my yzf600r did. You should see my chicken strips!!
You could go the busa route. Contanct frank at forks by frank he can make longer busa tubes to get you the right length.
I use the slotted rotors from an 82. They work pretty good since you have a 78 you can order the performance brakes for the xs 650. I think brembo makes a set there a web page for them. I'll look for it and send info.

Also look for one of the posts I just did. I am using zrx1200r carbs. They are much quicker ! Throttle response is a massive increase. I even posted a video.

[yamahansolo]

Ok go to. Www.650central.com. they have brembo calipers. Direct bolt on for the stsandard forks. They even have better brake mc's.
I know modern forks sound cool but I did a lot of reading on other sites on the goldvalve cartridge emulators and they are magical!!! Specifically look on some of the old kz1000 web sites. I think one of them was kzrider.com?
The company claims it will make the bike handle like well tuned modern cartridge forks.

[natemoen]

Why have I never heard of the brembo brakes for the standards? That is awesome!

[brid]

Ok go to. Www.650central.com. they have brembo calipers. Direct bolt on for the stsandard forks. They even have better brake mc's.
I know modern forks sound cool but I did a lot of reading on other sites on the goldvalve cartridge emulators and they are magical!!! Specifically look on some of the old kz1000 web sites. I think one of them was kzrider.com?
The company claims it will make the bike handle like well tuned modern cartridge forks.

Thanks man!! 650 Central owner Mike Mercury Morse is a good friend of mine, -- I've known him for years!! I've used the Gold valves on quite a few Vintage race bikes I've built -- and yes -- they DO work!!