My xs11 chop/build

[RJFort]

Trbig, I agree with you about not being an artist or anything like that. Just trying to make something that I have been interested in for many years. This is the first forum that I have ever been a part of that the members attack each other as much as happens here. I would love to stay and get as much learning from all of yo uas possible and share my take on things, but first of all I don't need to subject myself to so much negativity around something that I enjoy so much, it will end up putting such a sour taste in my mouth and I wont enjoy the process fully. Second when I share my take on things I get **** on, by the majority of the replies. Yes there are some here that applaud my task or like the idea of what I want to do, but the negativity is really rampant here and it has already started to affect me. Other forums I am on for my VTX and my Mitsubishi Lancer are like a family. We bicker everynow and then but never like this, and members in nearby areas will get together and ride together or go to shows or whatever. I don't get that feel from the members here as a whole and I am generalizing here because I can only go on what I have encountered and it has been overwhelming. I have plenty of questions to ask about my bike because I dont know it as well as any of you as I am just learning, but I cna learn on my own and not get **** on for thinking differently than the majority of this site.

[Mr.Bill]

Ringo, Take the bad comments with a grain of salt, I can guarantee you one thing on the other boards, choppersunderground, and chophack you mentioned. That they will not know the intricacies that these bike have and whats needed to fix them. So do your thing and take the good and bad comments, but if your working on a XS1100 this is the place to be for information.

[RJFort]

Mr Bill,
I get ya. thanks. I was hoping to soak up as much knowledge as possible. I am thinking at this point I might not get much input or advice as most. That is the whole reason I joined this site, all the knowledge that is in all your heads. But I don't want to just take and I was made to feel that I have nothing of worth to contribute. I was just trying to share with everyone else. we will see.

[trbig]

You're the new guy and haven't been here long enough to be family.. lol.

BUT... you'll have to stand in line if you want to compare lists of haters.

Like I said, if you're so sensitive that a few negative comments are affecting you this bad, then the choice to post or not seems answered. BUT.. I wouldn't suggest riding around that chopped bike in public when you're done. Someone might say something negative about the bike you love.

I hope some of my sarcasm to you is coming off as such, and you can possibly see how silly this all seems.

WHO CARES if many hate your bike? Are they footing the bill for it or will they be riding it? On the flip side, do you really want to be part of a website somewhere else where nobody will give you their honest opinion? You have posted to a very public forum and yet seem only to want to hear praise on a very personal choice of things. This isn't the shrink's office where we're all going to gently hold and pat your hand and reassure everything you say or do. People will say what they think, but nobody has attacked your mother or family name. Several would like to see your progress, but I doubt anyone is going to coddle you and blow lies and smoke up your butt here. If that's what you're used to at other sites... then by all means. That's another great thing about having a personal choice.

BUT... I guarantee that even the people speaking badly of what you're doing will jump right in with advice, parts, or even a helping hand if they live close, to help you get that engine running right and tuned/adjusted properly. Good luck getting that for your XS1100 engine on another site.

Sometimes you need to learn to take the good with the bad. Some never learn.

[Lonerider62]

Hey RJ, "Old Farts R Us" sometimes can't deal with individuality very well. What one person sees as their opportunity to create a genuine one of a kind ride, another sees as an abomination to an immensely valuable old machine. I tend to favor keeping my machine as built but I did do some major work when I turned my "81" Goldwing Aspencade into a Naked. Go where your heart takes you.

[RJFort]

trbig,
I don't have a problem if people don't like my bike. To each his own. All I have an issue with is the fact that I felt attacked for just stating that I was chopping this bike. It ranged anywhere from half joking to downright insulting. There is a line to where you should go with criticism. there is no need to belittle me for my choice. I get it that to most of you that what I am doing would never cross your mind. I am not looking for coddling, trust me. If you knew more about me and my background it would make itself apparent.

I am all for opinions. I just have noticed over the years that people feel that because the internet lets you be somewhat anonymous that people feel they can say anything they want, when they would not do so int eh same way in person. The lack of respect is my issue. Respect me until I do something to make you do otherwise, which is what I try to always do.

[trbig]

Hmmm... so respect is now demanded, not earned? I hear that a lot on all the shows about thugs in prison. "I shot his azz 'cause he didn't show me no respect!" Seems many don't understand how it works.

You said some negative things about some people and this website. Some people from this website said some negative things about you and/or the bike. Nothing I've seen from either side warrants a penalty flag and really don't understand your hurt feelings.

To be honest, you started getting offended, before anyone even said anything negative about your bike, by apparently reading past posts that you weren't a part of and nobody was talking to you? Yet you STILL got offended. b.walker's "Bike or kidneys" comment.. even with a little smiley face for you.. was all it took to set you off? You say you need no coddling, yet keep going on about some minor infractions. The more you go on about these supposed grave offenses, the more thin-skinned you seem to be... like you're simply going around LOOKING for a reason to be offended.

Just my personal observances and 2 cents... if worth even that.

[crazy steve]

... All I have an issue with is the fact that I felt attacked for just stating that I was chopping this bike...

Rich, it's not the 'chop' that's primarily bringing out the comments; it's the hardtail aspect. Some use both terms interchangably, but there is a difference. Now, like it or not, hardtailing a bike will pretty much destroy it's handling on anything but smooth roads, and a hardtail can be flat-out dangerous if not ridden with care, a fact not generally noted on the hardtail sites or by people who do them. Not everybody is articulating this well, but that's the bottom line. And one thing that is emphasized here is safety, so when a member is doing something that markedly reduces that, you will get comments...

[TomB]

Like I said

But hardtailing?? really?? I guess you ride gently then.

Have you ever ridden a hardtailed bike?

For someone who doesn't weld I think you don't know what you're letting your self in for, there's infinite ways of going about hardtailing a bike, some good some bad. Seriously think about whether you want a hardtail bike, do you ride quick?

One of the UK XS1100 club members first real ride out on his hardtail ended badly, luckily he was not hurt too bad, but the bike is now very bent.

[RJFort]

I have never ridden a hardtail. No sir. I understand that it is more difficult and requires more attention and skill than a softtail. I do know that. I know that the bike does not respond nearly as well as a bike with a true suspension. I do not like to ride fast. I stay away from the hiway if I can. I have gone fast when the need arose, but I try not to. Not a speed demon. I know that a sprung seat helps with the comfortability of the ride but not the handling. Also know that the footpegs/controls CAN NOT be forward as you can not stand off the seat when a big bump comes. I would not just get on the bike and ride away. I would take little local rides in the neighborhood or parking lots to feel the difference. I understand what I am getting into, even though I may not know first hand. I am not an irresponsible rider, and try to be aware of everything happening around me. I wait til the winter sand has been picked up before I ride. Always wear my helmet. Thank you for all your concern, really. I would definitely take it super easy, especially at first.

I have been reading up a bit on hardtails and how they work or dont work, and how to do it properly. I am in contact with someone who does motorcycle welding for a living and understands the right and wrong way to do it. I am not going off all willy nilly to build a "bad ass chopper". I am doing my research in other places, as this might not be the perfect place to find everything I need.

[RJFort]

trbig,
respect from me is given outright as well as trust. Once it is lost however it is gone forever. I have been burned before but continue to do as I always have and expect the same courtesy given to me.

I know all about having to earn my respect growing up. I decided that (for me) going into any sort of relationship of whatever kind with a lack of trust and respect was inhibiting.

[cywelchjr]

Mr Bill,
I get ya. thanks. I was hoping to soak up as much knowledge as possible. I am thinking at this point I might not get much input or advice as most. That is the whole reason I joined this site, all the knowledge that is in all your heads. But I don't want to just take and I was made to feel that I have nothing of worth to contribute. I was just trying to share with everyone else. we will see.

Just understand, you ask what we think, and we will tell you. Then after that when you ask for help on how to accomplish something we will do our best to tell you that as well. Whether we like what you are doing or not, we would much rather you do it right than that you fudge it up. Ask away, any technical questions that we know the answers to we will help with. We told you what we think when you first asked, but now lets get down to the process of working through the getting the thing done right.

[natemoen]

The other thing that jades most peoples views on choppers/bobbers/cafes/hardatails etc. is that so many try to make them get through the destruction phase and then get to overwhelmed, or run bored or whatever with the project and then they just dump the whole thing and go buy a different bike.

[ambidextrous]

as someone who rides a rigid XS, i can tell you from experience, it is way different and at times can be dangerous

one of the strangest feelings is getting on the back brakes and having it 'bounce' off the ground while coming to a hard stop because of bad road conditions

at first its terrifying, and it never gets comfortable, but you have to just be ready for it and keep in your mind that it might happen

at highway speeds its not too much different, until you hit a buckled seam or something, then its like getting a kick in the ass

luckily, i havent had it buck out in turns or anything

if you go the rigid route, just make sure you take it easy for awhile and get used to the different ride

if your riding with your friends, and they start hammering it, dont feel the need to keep up with them, ride at a safe pace until you know how the bike will respond to turns and hard stops

also, if you go rigid, make sure you have good tires, it will now be more important then ever

[jetmechmarty]

Springs and shock absorbers are what keep the tires in contact with the pavement.