Modifications

[Bikeboy]

Well I did it, I have been looking at a lot of web sites over the last year or so on the XS1100, trying to find some bike's with cool modifications that I could do to my bike to make it more up to date. After looking at countless bike's I found that Merriam cycle shop had some of the best ideas for our bike's, that didn't cost an arm and a leg. So I called Bob Jones owner of Merriam Cycle Shop to get some price's on things I wanted to do to my bike. First I wanted one of those cool little fairing's like they put on Kawasaki GPZ's, then i wanted a price on a front fender made out of ABS also like what come's on GPZ's, after that I wanted a price on a air scoop you know the type, the kind that bolt to the front of the frame at the base of the engine to keep the engine cool, they also make the bike look more modern. There were many other part's that I was looking at that I got price's on, but I want go in to that right now, maybe another time. Anyway so I got the price's on these three thing's, boy did it seem high. He wanted $185.95 for the fairing plus shipping, he wanted $99.95 for the front fender, $139.95 for the air scoop, also not including shipping. I really wanted these part's but I felt these price's were a little bit on the high side, don't get me wrong I no that everyone needs to make a profit if they are in business for them self's, but I have four kids and need to save where I can. So I started thinking where can I get these parts that will work on our bikes, considering that Merriam Cycle is able to order parts at cost , test to see if they fit and if they don't they simply send them back or put them on the shelf at the shop, an sell them. So I downloaded some pictures of their XS11's with these things on them, got on the internet and started looking. I had heard you guys talking about Dennis Kirk, So that's First place I went. And they had all three items I was looking for, except that the air scoop was a little different, more pointy, not so square looking, which looked more modern anyway. And the prices were better, fairing $142.99, Air scoop $109.99, Front fender $54.99 all with shipping inclued which would have cost another $30.00. So all total I saved about $147.88 by ordering from Dennis Kirk instead of Merriam Cycle. So thanks again guys for our XS11 site, without this site I would not have known about Dennis Kirk. Oh by the way the fairing and air scoop went on fine with a little modification's to the bracket's, haven't started on the front fender yet. I will put that on next week, but while I have the front tire off I will go ahead and drill the holes in my rotors. When I finish,sense I got a new scanner I will take some pictures and put them on the web site

[Jeff]

The same parts can also be found cheaper at JC Whitney. They are all manufactured by Maier. Only problem is that JCW does not carry the sport fairing for the square headlight and they only have the rounded shovel nosed air intake scoop. I have a round headlight on my 78E and purchased the Maier fairing from JCW for around $97. Merriam charges considerably more for their parts than anyone else and they are all available elsewhere for less. In some cases.... they charge nearly double.... such as their fork brace.

[Jeff]

I am also curious as to which exhaust you have on your bike and if they were any problems with clearances on the front air scoop.

[scalded dog]

Jeff, "forkbrace" does it help handling? What is a good price for a forkbrace? TIA 'Dog

[Jerry]

There are several modifications that will make your XS or XJ handle better. There is a write up, which I need to update as some of the links no longer work, at:

http://facstaff.uww.edu/fieldsj/mcyc...uspension.html

Article discusses fork brace, front springs, rear shocks, and brake system upgrades.

[Stava]

G'day Dog,

Stava in OZ mate, I got myself a TKAT fork brace for my "F" model and was stunned by the difference in the feel of the bike.
Needless to say ya have ta do the other "tune up" bits on the suspension to get the very best out of her!
But definately are more sure footed feel to it.

Stava.

[scalded dog]

Thanks Stava, I saw one on e-bay, and wondered if it would be a worthwhilw investment, it went for $41, plus shipping. for new old stock. Later 'Dog

[fusionking]

'DOG ..........

Aside from having your bike operating properly I would say from my own exp. that the T-KAT forkbrace is the #1 accessory that every XS11 owner should get. In fact going without it now would feel like there was a factory part missing on my bike and I would need to "fix" it by getting one. If you get my drift....HTH

[scalded dog]

fushion king. How much do they usually cost, tia. Later 'Dog

[oldnortonrider]

Forkbrace thread

Early thread and postings, on the forkbrace >>

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...&threadid=1085

Don't leave home without it.

[fusionking]

UH OH

"Dog.... I dont remember off-hand, I'll need to check back thru my checkbook register. It didn't seem like much tho, esp. after I got it and found out how highly of a crafted part it was. You could check what Merriam wanted and then cut it in half (to know the normal price HAHA)

[oldnortonrider]

I got mine a year and a half ago. I got it directly from TKat; paid
$85.00 for it. Total. That included shipping. I'd speculate that he's still turning them loose for the
same $.
At the time, I got it, he did say, that he was making them and turning them out to the XS owners, at his cost, out of his fairly advanced machine shop, in San Jose.
At the time, that I ordered it, I waited for about 6-7 weeks, cuz he
generally makes a bunch at the same time, waiting on orders to pile up -- which wuz quite alright with me, to git it for that price.
When it's made/finished, he emails you to send the money; and then he sends it right on to you. The guy's definitely a class act.
At least, that's the way it was then.............

[Jeff]

The TKAT forkbrace was the best investment I made for my old 78E. TKAT manufactures them and was selling them for $85. I believe (at least from looking at the pics) that it is the same brace that Merriam is selling for around $160. It was the best fitting aftermarket part that I have ever dealt with. I noticed a big difference in stability at higher speeds and best of all... when navigating over curbs, RR crossings and other odd angled bumps. It gets rid of or at least drastically reduces the annoying and sometimes downright scary wobble that can occur when the forks flex and twist under stress. If you've ever hit a small pothole or broken pavement and had the bike and bars react in a very unexpected manner.... you will understand what I mean. There is nothing quit as unnerving as an unexpected loss of stability and feeling that bike is trying to do something that you definately don't want it to do.

[fusionking]

The part I like best about how it improved my handling was the diff. when I go thru those loooonnnngggg cracks on uneven pavement and how they used to make Battlecat wobble......now just a memory. Now if someone would just invent a thing that would bolt on that fit as well and made as big of an improvement in PERFORMANCE (OH YEAH) and cheap......hahahahaha

[scalded dog]

Does anybody know anything about a forkbrace, that has Daytona engraved in it. TIA. Later 'Dog