Don't hate me for this...

[Aches n Pains]

Can't imagine why anyone would put time into building something like that. Best case, it just sits in the garage.

IMO XS11's just don't chop worth a damn. Get something better to start with and keep the XS to do what it is designed to do. - great compromise cruiser.

[81xsproject]

Exactly. Even the ones done well never look good. Plain and simple, if you what a v-twin, buy one.

[TomB]

Any Ideas on how to get the rake done? Any one here ever done any frame mods?

You ask "don't hate me for this" but there seems to be a lot of hate..

You also ask if anyone has done this mod, seems to me most that are hating havn't. I have done this sort of work and while I can see why those that aren't experienced would not understand, it is possible to get a raked low bike to handle perfectly Ok if not like a modern sports bike, but there again a standard XS1100 doesn't either.

The XS1100 in the video may not handle but something similar looking can.
'OlGuiltyBoy has linked to offset angled yokes which work by pulling the trail back to near standard so no steering worries, the problem with the cornering clearance can be overcome even with a low bike by lifting everything on the outer edges of the bike at an angle to give clearance for cornering.

I say do your reading and find how to do it properly.

[crazy steve]

I've built choppers, so you can't put me in the 'haters' catagory, but I'll admit that the inline-four versions always end up looking like 'wannabes' to me, no matter how well executed. The XS11 is a particularly poor choice (again, IMO) because of it's shaft drive, which forces certain compromises in the 'look'.

[XSLevi]

Wow, as a noob, I'm excited to have such a controversial post. Sincere thanks to all contributors.

First off, a little background. I've owned many modern bikes: ZRX 1200, GSXR 1000, Ducati 900, FZR 1000, etc., etc. These bikes are great feats of engineering, and flawless performers all. The limits of power and handling in these machines are far beyond my ability to exercise them. Mechanically, I've had no issues other than routine maintenance. Problem is, I'm bored with bikes that work too well. I'm looking for something that will be a challenge to build, and be more engaging to ride at slower speeds. (GSXR was sound asleep at any speed under 120)

Que the XS1100: I think a chopper with an air cooled four is just the ticket. It’s peculiar enough to keep my interest. The key is that it’s not blindly following the pre-determined styling ques of any certain motorcycle clique. Who says it has to be a twin? Who says it has to be chain drive? Who says fast bikes can’t be raked? I know I can have fun with a cheap 100 HP chopper.

The Resurrection: When I bought the bike it would not start, and the front brakes were locked up. I rebuilt the master cylinder, both front calipers, and replaced the brake light switch: Front brake fixed, now on to the motor. There is a long thread dedicated tracing down a bad P/U coil. (not the wire, but the coil itself) I replaced the P/U coil, which restored spark to all cylinders, but the bike still would not start. After much head scratching and cursing CRAZY STEVE suggested I check cam timing. Sure enough, the exhaust cam was off about 60 degrees. (Don't know how I don't have bent valves.) The bike will now start & run for a few seconds, & I'm in the process of going through the carbs. The resurrection story is relevant here for the understanding that I am not wrecking a pristine machine. Fact is the bike was going no where before I took an interest in it.


The Plan: I agree the bike in the video is too low. I had already considered that such a low bike would produce an intolerable lack of cornering clearance, but I didn't think about the implications under hard braking at speed. -Thanks for that Cywelcher. My bike will not be nearly as low as the one in the vid. Also, I understand about the heavy steering and "flop" issues associated with an extreme rake. My thinking here is that these quirky handling characteristics will actually make my bike more interesting/fun to ride. I’ve done quite abit of welding on Bicycle frames, building the examples pictured.
Converting to a single tube backbone doesn’t worry me. What I’m not sure about is this heating & bending business to achieve the rake. Where should I heat? Will the tubes collapse with the slight amount of bending required? What about the reinforcing bits that extend from the neck down the front down tubes? Should these be heated & bent as well, or removed & replaced with custom reinforcement after the bending is complete? Crazy Steve, how did you rake the Harely? (Very nice BTW)

Thanks again to everyone who contributed, and anyone who read even half of this long - ass post.

[DAVINCI]

Wow, as a noob, I'm excited to have such a controversial post. Sincere thanks to all contributors.

Which is obviously the reason you posted this in the first place. Those of us who are NOT noobs don't really care WHAT you do with YOUR motorcycle. Melt it into a lump if you like, but don't yank our cranks.

[XSLevi]

[crazy steve]

...Crazy Steve, how did you rake the Harley?

I'll send you a PM....

[XSLevi]

I don't get it Davinci.

[DAVINCI]

I know....I know

[XSLevi]

Finally figured Photos out

[XSLevi]

Davinci you are following this thread awfully closely for a guy who "don't care" what noob like me does with his bike. Why don't you just polish my exhuast pipe bro.

[DAVINCI]

Now that's just plain filthy, mean and nasty.

[crazy steve]

Let's play nice please.....

[11Rider]

Why don't folks like it? Go ahead, let me have it.

Hi Levi, a small reminder - you don't need anyone's permission to do what you want with your bike. There will be those who will be eager to see what you come up with and others who will just be inconsiderate. I'm sure someone would complain if you said you helped an old lady across the street. Take the advise of the helpful (there are many) and ignore the others. JMHO

I too have owned many bikes - over forty in forty years of riding, most of them stock or close to stock. I now like to go off the beaten path as well. There's got to be a bazillion v-twin customs out there, to me they are the wannabe's. An old school in-line four chopper - that's custom in my opinion. My Savage thumper bobber will be along the same lines of being a little different from the rest of the herd. I'm a noob at customizing as well so I'll be leaning on the knowledge of others too and don't have much to give you. I will say though that you should be REAL sure about whatever you do with the steering head frame area.