80 XS11 Midnight Special chop/rebuild log

[fredintoon]

Hi Craig,
I should explain that my first 10 years riding was all on "hardtails" but back then we called them rigid framed motorcycles.
To me, rear suspension is the best thing since front brakes and removing it is the mechanical equivalent of flagellation.
But you asked for ideas on continuing what you have done so far.
Fire up the Sawzall and remove the remains of the swingarm, the frame should be stretched mebbe 4" so it looks right.
Stretch the driveshaft by cutting it in half and silver brazing a sleeve between the halves.
The sleeve should overlap the shaft ends by at least 1" to get enough braze in there not to shear.
The shaft will run open, salvage the rear drive and spindle mounting plates off the swingarm and build them into the frame.
OK, the seat. You will need a well sprung big ol' tractor style seat to cushion your rear end now the suspension is gone. Look at 1940s H-D sprung seats for ideas.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

I like

I like the sportster, not crazy about the red paint, but still cool

Craig, don't let 'em get to you....

First, all the crying over the MNS issue... Unless it was a near-perfect example you started with (and at $400, I doubt it was ), it wasn't worth any more than any other neglected, abused XS, maybe less. With all the 'special' finishes Yamaha used on those bikes, if that stuff isn't in damn good shape, you'd go broke trying to refinish it or finding good replacements. Mack won't admit to what it cost him to have the steel gold trim on his MNS restore re-done... and I probably wouldn't either...

And this ain't much of a chopper crowd anyway; you should have been here for the heat I took when I first posted pics of my chopped/lowered/raked Sportster
The only thing Fred couldn't chew my a** for was I didn't hardtail it..., but I took some 'Harley' guff. With that said, I'm not a hardtail fan either and don't really think these bikes chop well, but that's personal taste. Maybe you'll surprise us, who knows...

As to practical matters, I will ask one question; what arrangement have you made to remove the final drive if needed? They have been known to fail (admittedly rarely), but it looks like you'd have to cut the frame to change it out. You're going to have the same problem servicing the driveshaft splines and u-joint. I've seen that mistake multiple times, heard of a few that got junked because of it....

[James England]

Well, we were asked for comments and feedback, so I don't see what the problem is if the majority are negative ones. I mean, he did ask. And, to go on an enthusiasts' forum and show how you've taken a restorable classic and chopped it all up is hardly likely to elicit approval, I'd have thought.

For me, a bike that has this sort of thing done to it really isn't an XS1100 any more. It's a 'bobber', 'hard-tail chop' or whatever, with an XS engine. The more a standard XS1100 is cut, chopped, bits removed, wiring altered, suspension removed, seat altered etc, the less of an XS1100 it becomes.

The acid test is to get someone to look at the bike and ask "what model of motorbike is this?". I doubt they would come back with the answer "an XS1100".

[TomB]

The acid test is to get someone to look at the bike and ask "what model of motorbike is this?". I doubt they would come back with the answer "an XS1100".

So you wouldn't class this as an XS1100 any more then James? Its been cut, chopped, bits removed, wiring altered, suspension removed, seat altered etc



It won "Best Streetbike" at the rally I was at, everyone knew it was an XS1100

[jetmechmarty]

It all depends upon one's perspective. James' comments are spot on. There is bound to be some disapproval of major modifications on an enthusiasts' site. That would be true of about any entusiasts' site. That being said, you can expect to get help with ANY XS11 here. Just don't expect enthusiasm for your project. You may get some, but don't expect it.

Do the Ton will welcome your cafe project. The Chopper Underground will welcome your chopper project. I'm sure you're welcome here, just don't expect widespread approval of your modified bike.

Peace brothers!

[James England]

So you wouldn't class this as an XS1100 any more then James? Its been cut, chopped, bits removed, wiring altered, suspension removed, seat altered etc



It won "Best Streetbike" at the rally I was at, everyone knew it was an XS1100

No, I most certainly wouldn't class it as an XS1100. Yes, I can see it used to be one before having bits chopped off etc, same as I know that a pair of denim cut-offs started life as long trousers.

It's a question of balance. A 4 into 1 on an XS1100 stills allows it to look an XS. Maybe a cut down seat does too if the rider isn't overly tall. But, if you remove lots of features in one go which gave the XS that unique, balanced, symmetrical appearance then it ceases to be an XS1100.

[trbig]

I can't remember exactly how much it sold for, around $4500 I think.

Cody's "Zilla"

Cody's bike sold for almost $8,000. BUT... he had nearly 12k into it. He paid over 5k for that 79 he has that Bob bought from him.

[TomB]

No, I most certainly wouldn't class it as an XS1100.

And yet it passed your acid test, everyone knew it was an XS1100

[crazy steve]

Cody's bike sold for almost $8,000. BUT... he had nearly 12k into it. He paid over 5k for that 79 he has that Bob bought from him.

He obviously found the right buyer! Not so easy to do....

[trbig]

He obviously found the right buyer! Not so easy to do....

???? He simply put it on Ebay and several buyers bid it up to that. It was actually a bet between him and a friend and he didn't really plan on selling it. A friend bet him that bike would sell for 7k if he tried to sell it, and he knew what they normally go for and figured there was no way anyone would pay that much for a bike that old. So he put the reserve at 7500, thinking nobody would ever actually bid that high. Surprise!!! He was in tears, but kept his word... and Zilla was gone. Lost the bet and his bike.


So... get one fixed up really nice, and there's no telling what it may go for. His bike went for that several years ago.

[Joab]

Tsk Tsk Tsk Craig...now look what you have done to that bike.

Now I will have to PM you with all kinds of questions when I start chopping apart my XS650 so I can get it right

[James England]

And yet it passed your acid test, everyone knew it was an XS1100

No. They knew it had once been an XS1100. Same as I was aware of that. That's obvious from the engine and the fuel tank. You asked me if I regard the bike as an XS1100..... and, no, I don't. Like I said, it used to be but now it isn't, I'd say. I would be more explicit but diplomacy about someone else's bike prevails.

[fredintoon]

So you wouldn't class this as an XS1100 any more then James? Its been cut, chopped, bits removed, wiring altered, suspension removed, seat altered etc
It won "Best Streetbike" at the rally I was at, everyone knew it was an XS1100

Hi Tom,
no, just like t'other one, it's been modified to the extent that it's now an XS11-based custom built special.
Unlike t'other one, this one has been upgraded with what looks to be weight removal, a more modern rear suspension and improved cornering clearance so's a person could ride it better than he could a stock machine.
(provided that unlike myself, his arse is skinny enough to fit the seat, his back can still bend forward and his gut don't stop him reaching the bars.)
Mind you, I could still fit on t'other one. It'd probably get me as far as my chiropractic clinic before my back gave out.

[CraigMel13]

For me, a bike that has this sort of thing done to it really isn't an XS1100 any more. It's a 'bobber', 'hard-tail chop' or whatever, with an XS engine. The more a standard XS1100 is cut, chopped, bits removed, wiring altered, suspension removed, seat altered etc, the less of an XS1100 it becomes.

James,
Maybe you don't think so but the title and vin still call it an XS1100! That is until they have a date night with MR. Sawzall!

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Nice

Mono shock, nice jammer, cool cafe seat, no wonder you won

So you wouldn't class this as an XS1100 any more then James? Its been cut, chopped, bits removed, wiring altered, suspension removed, seat altered etc



It won "Best Streetbike" at the rally I was at, everyone knew it was an XS1100