Yawn.... another bike build...

[tw1980]

Hey Steve I'm just going to come out and say it.Looks like to me you're on your way to a d*mm nice build or rebuild as the case may be.Good work and keep going ,this is going to be a nice looking bike. Terry

[tom clisham]

Looks great. Keep up the good work. Makes retirement worth it, eh?

[petejw]

nice work steve,
glad u got her working.

[latexeses]

Fuse box panel

Steve,
Do you have a pattern for that fuse box panel you built?

[fredintoon]

A progress report..
/yy57/crazysteve01/SG%20build/fusepanel2.jpg[/IMG][/IMG]

Hi Steve,
your usual eff nigh perfect job but I gotta know; is it my failing eyesight or is there an orange condom hanging out of the fusebox mount?

[fredintoon]

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[IMG][/IMG]

Buggrit, clipped too close, trying again.

[crazy steve]

Steve,
Do you have a pattern for that fuse box panel you built?

I should have made one, but I didn't.... maybe I'll do another one as a tech tip...

But it's fairly simple to lay out; I traced the outline of the stock piece onto some .125" aluminum but I clipped off the part that stuck out for the 'aux power' terminals and 'straightened' a few edges. The opening behind the fuse panel is 2.375" wide by 2.625" high, the total height of the bracket is 5". I scratch-built new hangars for the solenoid and flasher out of some .050" aluminum, and lowered the flasher hanger about 1/4" for clearance. I cheated and ground the wire clip on the bottom off the old bracket and pop-riveted on. I also made a couple of 'stand-offs' out of some 3/8" thick aluminum to move the fuse panel out to give me room for the 90 degree connectors. There's plenty of room behind the sidecover for this, you could go to 1/2" thick no problem.

The 'condom' (!!??) is a terminal cover that was on the battery cable I used; I have no idea if it's OEM or not.... Fred, are you a dirty old man??

[justme1100]

Re: turn signals

In a round about way those turn signals are a Jap part and you are right, they are about the only inexpensive part you can get for a Harley and lots of different lenses available too.

[crazy steve]

....they are about the only inexpensive part you can get for a Harley....

See, that's a misconception. Harley parts are rarely more expensive than many metric parts (except for major parts like motors and frames); as an example, I had an acquaintance crash his year-old metric V-twin 3-4 years ago. Trashed the tins (tank, both fenders) and half the exhaust system, and the repair parts were well over $3K I looked, and for that money I could have gotten a 'custom' paint set new from Harley and the exhaust bits, and had change left over. Stock tins (with OEM paint) would have been over $1K less. Sure, you get out a few years and the difference in used part prices can change, but that's due to the fact the metric bikes loses value much faster.

[crazy steve]

Actual parts costs....

As a further reply to the 'Harley parts are expensive', I did a little check...

I looked up a replacement front wheel for a 2003 1100 V-Star with a laced front wheel. First thing I found that was interesting is you can't get a complete assembly; you have to buy it as parts, then have it put together. So the costs were: spoke set $147, hub $214, bearings $40, and rim $263. That's $664, and you're still looking at $100 or so to have it assembled/laced. Prices were gotten here: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/partview...100ARC_-_2003)

Replacement front wheel for a 2003 Sportster with laced wheel.... $350. And it's fully assembled, ready-to-go; price was gotten off Chicago Harley's site. Now, granted they offer a 20% discount for online orders (so 'list' is about $440), but even at list it's over 40% less...

'nuff said....

[79XS11F]

Hey Steve, is that "yawn" because you can do them with your eyes closed now or are you tired for all the work it takes to make one of these old girls look GREAT!
Rob

[jetmechmarty]

I know a fellow who bought a totaled Triumph Bonneville a few years ago. It was of the new variety. He grafted a Sportster front end to it. He claimed there were many more performance options available. (brakes, forks, etc.) With rear fender and lights from an early '70's Bonnie, it was a very pretty bike that would fool you at first glance.

I'm sure the less expensive Harley parts made the project worth doing. He sold the bike, and I'm sure he would not have done it without some profit.

I wonder why so many XS11's have Harley mufflers.

[cywelchjr]

I know a fellow who bought a totaled Triumph Bonneville a few years ago. It was of the new variety. He grafted a Sportster front end to it. He claimed there were many more performance options available. (brakes, forks, etc.) With rear fender and lights from an early '70's Bonnie, it was a very pretty bike that would fool you at first glance.

I'm sure the less expensive Harley parts made the project worth doing. He sold the bike, and I'm sure he would not have done it without some profit.

I wonder why so many XS11's have Harley mufflers.

Cause they work well and they are cheap cause the first thing most harley owners do is ditch the stock exhaust for straight pipes (at least it seems like it around here).