Fitting a modern wide rim to a xs11

[glenn]

One of the best parts about this site is that we are linked by a commonality which is based around a joy of riding and an interest of the xs1100. None of us are right or wrong in customising or retoring because we all explore our view of the motorcycling world, as we perceive it.
I guess a lot of us, as I read the threads, didnt have the opportunity to do what we would have liked because circumstances that existed then, families, finances, time or even we hadnt found or been able to obtain that bike.
Me, I am 53, bought up 4 kids, hung my butt on the line and as we all probably have done, forsook a lot of what we would like to do for those things that were much more important at that time.
Now Im allowed to play in the garage and if I lose something its my loss. My kids are proud that I do something with my life. I always taught them to be proud of their efforts and if it didnt go well the first time try again.
Explore your horizons. I am sure your Dad would be proud of your feeling for part of his life because every time you throw your leg over that bike you join him on a ride
We are lucky that a band of people have come together to support each other in their personal quests. I am lucky I discovered that Group.
XS is a state of mind
Glenn

[ratbyk]

State of Mind

Well said Glen!
Amen.
Ken/SOOKE
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[Dennyz]

Here Here! Glen!

I am freshly 52 and know exactly where you are coming from.

Now, as for the big back tire:

It is my personal opinion that my '79 Standard is a right fine looking machine. I have enjoyed customizing it from one end to the other, with no plans on letting up. The one thing about my bike that drives me nuts is the dinky rear tires. It is not about performance, it is about looks.

Here I have this huge rack of cylinders with a nice 4:1 header flowing down the front, a big gas tank, and a big R1 can strapped to the side. Everything says big EXCEPT!

So, one way or another I am going to figure out a way to get a VMax rear wheel (150mm tire) on the back of my XS. It won't be simple or cheep, but I believe it to be possible.

You can bet that when I have it road worthy, this list will be the first to know.

Stay tuned!

[glenn]

Hey Denny
Nice bike. just a couple of questions. The front forks are they off a special. In Oz the axle passes below the bottom of the forks. All the motors I have seen here are black with chrome headers and mufflers except the RH model (1981 same as UK 1.1s) which were all black. Mine has a chrome 4-1 with a Walker muffler. I just like the sound.

Second one is that a Tarozzi fork brace on the front?

Been trying to work out how to fit spoked wheels to an 1100. Looks like I will have to get a centre made up eventually to couple to the shaft drive. Dont understand that metal stuff being a carpenter. But I figure if I get it done and have it drilled properly for a 36 spoke rim I will be on the right track.
Now comes the easy part...........When?

Last question. Any chance a photo of the bars you are using. thanks in advance.

Will chat again Im sure
Cheers
Glenn

.

[John]

Denny, nice looking bike. I'm in the process of building a motor for Twilite Special, and I saw the blackout treatment in your pic. What did you do to the edge of the cooling fins? File, or sand them flat before painting, or after? I am going to paint mine pretty much the same way, and I too want to leave the edge of the fins silver, but I don't want the rough finish of the raw casting. I was thinking of using a file, or an 80 grit disc on a die grinder to square off the edges prior to painting, and after the paint dries, scrape, or file the paint off.
I plan on polishing the ignition, alternator, clutch adjusting, starter, middle gear, and valve covers, as well as the oil filter cup. I'm trying to find chrome or stainless steel acorn nuts for the head nuts. I did find some stainless Allen head bolts for the valve cover. I don't know if I want to paint the carbs or not. Are the forks and fenders painted, or powder coated? Again, great looking bike!

[Dennyz]

Thanks guys.

Glenn,

The forks on my "F" are hybrids. The down tubes are off a '79 Special and the lower shocks are stock '79 standard. I did this so I would have enough tube sticking out of the top to bolt clip-ons to. I picked the clip-ons up from a place in Canada for something like $40 for the pair (new). I would send you picture of the clip-ons, but you would not see much. They are completely covered with grips, levers and stuff.

The fork brace is a TKat (powder coated black).

John,

I used a file to remove the paint and touched them up with 220 grit wet/dry sand paper. The fenders are powder coated, but the forks are painted. I originally powder coated the forks, but the road gravel blasted them pretty bad. I found that black engine enamel holds up better and is easier to touch up. I am looking into a clear plastic laminate to cover the leading edge of the forks.

[slicky5150]

Hey Denny, nice scoot! It all flows together very well. Nice job.

I couldnt agree more, the rear wheel just doesnt fit the bike, unfortanetly nothing else does either. Good luck with the V-max wheel. It may take time and some money, but well worth it.

Without experimentation, innovation, improvement, we would still be throwing rocks and dragging women into our cave for the night.
Hey wait a minute....

[Dennyz]

Picture of clip-ons:

Kind of crowded up there. I had to move the instrument cluster forward to get the master cylinder to clear the tach.
As you can see, the fuel gauge is a bit tough to read straight on. I have to tilt my head to the left to see it.

[evileric]

Wider rear wheel

Hi Glen,

Thank you for those kind words. Yes my Yamaha is a part of my dad that will allways stay with me. I haven't been actively riding bike now for the last five years but the urge is now growing very strong again. I stopped when my son was old enough (5 1/2 years) to start racing go-karts and since then biking has taken a back seat. But mot anymore.

Back to the point. Here in South Africa there are companies that will widen the rear rim by welding in and then machining off extra sections into the rim. It is done very well and there are may bikes like that especially Kawasaki KZ1300 (very popular for customizing down here).

If I go that route, I then need to get a 17" front wheel with the same pattern and I don't think there is any?

What are your thoughts?