Don't hate me for this...

['OlGuiltyBoy]

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.

Levi, lots of folks on this site give you **** for wanting to do anything to these bikes besides make it stock. I took offense to it myself when I first came around because I like to chop **** up too, and instead of getting answers to your questions - you get a lot of nonsense. You will find there are people (few) who are interested in helping and actually wanna know how it was done and wanna see pics.

Use the search function a lot, and use outside sources as well ... Another good site to check out though is the UK site ... I'm not a member, but I might be soon ..... lol

['OlGuiltyBoy]

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'.

Oh but it can be chain driven !!!

[crazy steve]

Oh but it can be chain driven !!!

Yes it can, but that takes it out of the 'low budget' category for most guys, and also ratchets up the degree of difficulty quite a bit...

[11Rider]

Not exactly what you're doing, but one of my favorite youtube custome XS1100 videos. The guy and the bike are just REAL cool. Low budget too!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-bLuHiG-z8

[TopCatGr58]

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'.

Steve, myself and many others here are old enough to remember the early 70's, specifically the Honda 750-4's, and I remember many a very fine and fancy chopper made from this older inline 4 machine.

http://hondachopper.net/Gallery/index.html

Of course it was a chain drive engine which allowed more versatility right out of the box. I've always enjoyed the chopper/bobber and sportster look of bikes in general, and was looking at getting an H-D Sportster in the early 80's until I had the sticker shock, and also found my 81SH. After my front end collision, I put on modest 4" over length front tubes for a pseudo-chopper affect, as well as an unexpected raising of the bike, but that also was welcome since I'm 6'6" tall and don't like sitting on the ground when on a bike!

Many of us older folks have seen many an accident and are just also concerned for the general welfare of fellow riders, and so try to stress maintaining the functionality, reliability, and SAFETY aspects of these machines in whatever MODs folks decide to do. We want you to enjoy YOUR ride, but also want you to be able to SURVIVE it as well.

SO.... I for one will be looking forward to your build, the photos, and descriptions of how it handles with the mods you perform to add to the "database" for others to be able to refer to prior to an possible similar contemplated changes being able to have a real world personal experience of the mods and how they truly affect the handling and ride of the bike.

T.C.

[TomB]

SO.... I for one will be looking forward to your build, the photos, and descriptions of how it handles with the mods you perform to add to the "database" for others to be able to refer to prior to an possible similar contemplated changes being able to have a real world personal experience of the mods and how they truly affect the handling and ride of the bike.

T.C.

+1

Post up pictures and listen to the constructive critisism, its invaluable, I've learnt a lot when doing my builds from comments made, sometimes just a "well its good but have you thought about doing it this way instead" can be a great help for your build

['OlGuiltyBoy]

Yes it can, but that takes it out of the 'low budget' category for most guys, and also ratchets up the degree of difficulty quite a bit...

I wouldnt exactly call $500 (at the most) "high roller" status. Thats how much most of the kits I've seen cost. Except for those "geniuses" in Australia trying to charge $1,300 for a kit.

[Eveready1100]

I wouldnt exactly call $500 (at the most) "high roller" status. Thats how much most of the kits I've seen cost. Except for those "geniuses" in Australia trying to charge $1,300 for a kit.

Err, Jay. Just trying to get your thinking into pespective. Over this side of the pond, these bikes are much more collectable / read expensive than can be had over there. I've seen running bikes in quite tidy shape sold over there for less than 500 bucks and better examples for less than a thou.
Over here, very nice bikes can command over $5000 and the average runner brings in around 2- 21/2 grand. here's a link to a bit of a scrubber currently advertised on the bay - http://http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/YA...f#ht_500wt_715This a bike which needs a fair bit of work to get in a presentable condition and is missing quite a few unique parts. Just an example, mind.
Another one I recall clearly was another of these RH's which was in good condition, though it had a slight engine problem. It was missing number 4 piston, had no oil in the engine, and had been ridden into the shop for examination. This bike still pulled 850 dollars.
So on a comparative scale on what you would spend on a $500 bike over there is about on par on what one could spend on a $4,000 bike over here.
- Except when one can jump on the internet and get prices worldwide without taking anything else into account.

[Eveready1100]

Oh yeah, Levi. If you're planning on tackling the headstem rake adjustment yourself (personally, I'd leave it to a professional) but looking at your work on the pushies, you do have some metalworking skills, remove all the gusseting material from the steering head first, as you'll find that not all the tubes actually meet and join at the stem. Most are just attached to the gusset, so if you get that tinwork out of the way, you'll have a much better shot at getting the angle you want with much less heat involved as you could probably do it one tube at a time once they're separated. Then plate it with thicker gusset material to beef the area up again. It'll be stronger than factory, if done right.
Years ago, I had an XS650 which we hung a 16 inch springer off the front, then adjusted the frame to suit. Put some shorter shockies on the rear and it looked cool! It was ok for cruising down the highway but was a real bitch to try low speed maneouvres, as I think Steve would be able to attest to.

[crazy steve]

I wouldn't exactly call $500 (at the most) "high roller" status. Thats how much most of the kits I've seen cost..

But the kit is only part of what you need; you'll also need a chain/sprockets ($150+) and a new rear wheel, probably a new rear brake. Fallout from a major parts swap/mod can get expensive.... BTDT....

And to comment on Eveready's note, yeah, low-speed steering sucks bad....

[natemoen]

But the kit is only part of what you need; you'll also need a chain/sprockets ($150+) and a new rear wheel, probably a new rear brake. Fallout from a major parts swap/mod can get expensive.... BTDT....

And to comment on Eveready's note, yeah, low-speed steering sucks bad....

Dont forget a different swingarm.

[crazy steve]

If you're going hardtail, I lumped that in with the frame mods...

[natemoen]

If you're going hardtail, I lumped that in with the frame mods...

I guess that is true.

[XSLevi]

Wow guys. I'm overwhelmed with the volume of info and good ideas submitted. thanks. I truly apprecite every bit of constructive critisism posted.

Crazy Steve: you've been crazy helpful. Sorry to clutter the forum with the Davinci sillyness. -I'll be in touch with ya.

11 rider: that's one of my faves as well. Great part about that bike is that he has not modified the top of the frame. -That would be alot easier!

Everready: the info on the gussetting is great, I had no idea it was put together like that.

Top cat: Dudes, its good to hear I'm not the only one to appreciate a inline four Chop!

Thanks to those of you who support the plan. To those who think the idea is a bad one, I appreciate your contributions none the less. I certainly don't mind if you disagree with my ideas, and I'm happy to hear any critisism of the project.

I'll post some pics as soon as I get to the good stuff.

[XSLevi]

I saw the chain drive thread, and it really got me thinking. However I think I've resolved to keep it shaft. Here's the run down, tell me what ya think.

Regarding shaft drive:

Pros: No messy lube slung all over your rear end; No chain tensioning system to build in; save $$ on conversion; props for weird factor (less common on a chop)

Cons: Can't drop the frame very low due to Impingment of u-joint and final drive; Big headache of lengthening the shaft if I wanna stretch the frame at all. Stuck with stock wheel.


So my thinking is that since I don't wanna go very low, not interested in stretching the frame, and I wanna keep the stock wheel any way, I'll just hang with the shaft.

Now here's the real question: I would like to highlight the shaft drive by ditching the housing, and chroming or powder coating the shaft. Can I do this without compromising the integrity of the driveline?