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Hey guys,
Ive been reading a lot on here with issues trying to bobber or convert an XS1100, specifically the 79 Special. Maybe I can help with a few sugestions.
The first topic Id like to cover is the carbs that came on a 79 XS1100 Special. They are different then the 80 and so on. So you can not swap parts or even get a jet "kit" for the 79 like you can on the 80.
The solution I have come up with based on other information I have researched and read.
If you want to keep the 79 Carbs, but you want more power, you can buy seperate jets for each carb. The stock 79 came with a 140 Main Jet and a 42.5 Pilot jet. So I stepped it up to a 145 Main Jet and a 45 Pilot Jet for the Mikuni Carbs. This will allow for the lack of a air box and the lack of mufflers. With this set up you can run seperate air filters on each carb and modified exhaust. I recommend getting a set of carb tuners to assist in setting the carbs on PERFECTLY for the bike. If you are unsure how to do this, I am sure you can find videos on youtube or a local shop, using a dyno can help you with this. So what I am getting at is YOU CAN rejet the 79 Carbs.
Moving on the rear end, if you are looking to bobber it, most bobbers are rigids. Depending on how much work you want to do you can do a variety of things to the rear. I read somewhere, a guy complaining to another about how he went from his down tube right to where the shocks on the swing arm would mount, stating that the guy who did it like that was a moron because you loose the motion in the swing arm. I would like to say, THIS MAKES THE BIKE A RIGID. If the swing arm moves, its no longer a rigid. A couple of applications Ive seen, read about or used is this, you can get an adjustable strut that can be removed, that mounts to where the shock would go. It can be adjusted 6 inches up or down. This was designed for a "crotch rocket" but with some slight mods you can make them work. If you want to make it a true rigid for good...you can do 2 things, cut the rear section off (where the seat would go) just before the battery box area, then weld a new tube from the down tube to the shock mount on the swing arm. Then shorten the "v" shape tubes to fit the new tube. This will make the bike rigid and tough.
The second option which is close to the first, is instead of welding, make tabs on the new tube that will simply bolt up to where the shock goes, making it kind of like a removable strut, but without the adjustment.
Recently I read where someone was looking for shorter shocks. If you are looking for shocks to fit a XS1100, I havent found any lowering shocks. However if you are ok with mild mods, Harley sells 6 inch lowering shocks, that can be installed on your bike. This will lower the back while retaining the comfort level.
I will continue on with the front end later.
Any questions or comments, feel free! I have a open mind and a lot of know how.
Ive been reading a lot on here with issues trying to bobber or convert an XS1100, specifically the 79 Special. Maybe I can help with a few sugestions.
The first topic Id like to cover is the carbs that came on a 79 XS1100 Special. They are different then the 80 and so on. So you can not swap parts or even get a jet "kit" for the 79 like you can on the 80.
The solution I have come up with based on other information I have researched and read.
If you want to keep the 79 Carbs, but you want more power, you can buy seperate jets for each carb. The stock 79 came with a 140 Main Jet and a 42.5 Pilot jet. So I stepped it up to a 145 Main Jet and a 45 Pilot Jet for the Mikuni Carbs. This will allow for the lack of a air box and the lack of mufflers. With this set up you can run seperate air filters on each carb and modified exhaust. I recommend getting a set of carb tuners to assist in setting the carbs on PERFECTLY for the bike. If you are unsure how to do this, I am sure you can find videos on youtube or a local shop, using a dyno can help you with this. So what I am getting at is YOU CAN rejet the 79 Carbs.
Moving on the rear end, if you are looking to bobber it, most bobbers are rigids. Depending on how much work you want to do you can do a variety of things to the rear. I read somewhere, a guy complaining to another about how he went from his down tube right to where the shocks on the swing arm would mount, stating that the guy who did it like that was a moron because you loose the motion in the swing arm. I would like to say, THIS MAKES THE BIKE A RIGID. If the swing arm moves, its no longer a rigid. A couple of applications Ive seen, read about or used is this, you can get an adjustable strut that can be removed, that mounts to where the shock would go. It can be adjusted 6 inches up or down. This was designed for a "crotch rocket" but with some slight mods you can make them work. If you want to make it a true rigid for good...you can do 2 things, cut the rear section off (where the seat would go) just before the battery box area, then weld a new tube from the down tube to the shock mount on the swing arm. Then shorten the "v" shape tubes to fit the new tube. This will make the bike rigid and tough.
The second option which is close to the first, is instead of welding, make tabs on the new tube that will simply bolt up to where the shock goes, making it kind of like a removable strut, but without the adjustment.
Recently I read where someone was looking for shorter shocks. If you are looking for shocks to fit a XS1100, I havent found any lowering shocks. However if you are ok with mild mods, Harley sells 6 inch lowering shocks, that can be installed on your bike. This will lower the back while retaining the comfort level.
I will continue on with the front end later.
Any questions or comments, feel free! I have a open mind and a lot of know how.
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