The Difference Between Success and Failure

[D0wn5h1ft]

Where is everyone finding these bobbed rear fenders and seats?! I swear I'd drop the whole "rat bike" thing if someone would point me in the right direction as far as finding/making a seat that looked like this one:




OR this one:



Those bikes look great but I wouldn't even know where to begin with fitting a different full-size seat to it. I found a stock sportster seat online (because xs1100lover told me to start there) for a really good price but I have no idea how/if it will fit.

Is there some way to take the original fender like that first pic and just make it shorter?

[jetmechmarty]

The bike in the second picture was done by forum member Da-Bubble. I believe he made his own seat.

[rdmcguy]

Another 2 cents

To my eye the ass end on these bikes is too small to have no fender or a bump seat.Or maybe that the engine is quite large.
however, on the last two bikes shown the larger fender along with the seat that doesn't look just cobbled on looks great.

[DGXSER]

Is there some way to take the original fender like that first pic and just make it shorter?

IIRC, Garrett made the fender from a stock fender, I think he rotated it back, remounted the lights, and cut it shorter. Re-drilled holes to mount to frame. I tried several times to politely request he give a step by step on how he did the fender and the seats. Not sure he ever really got to the level of detail it would take for me to see how he did it.

[D0wn5h1ft]

Alright, you guys made me cave. I ended up buying a seat similar to XS1100Lover's (the red one).









Once it gets in I'll take some measurements for those who are interested in how they fit. Here's is a picture of a nightster seat (same as I bought, pretty much) and how it fits on an XS11 without any modification:






My plan as of now (after seeing the above pic) is to chop the rear frame halfway down those fender tubes, lop off a section of tube, and plug weld it back on to shorten the frame but keep the mounting bracket for the turn signals. Then I'll work on rotating that fender because with the Virago XV1100 springs I just ordered it'll be an extra inch lower and if I try and shorten the frame without turning the fender up it'll either look like crap or drag (or both).

I'll try and document my progress as best I can to maybe create a guide for others since I know we've all been hounding XS1100lover but he doesn't go into much detail . There are tons of these sportster solo seats out there so it might be a good replacement for us sportier types (no pun intended).

[Schming]

Here's xslover's thread of his 1200 project bike:
(good seat pics)

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29450

For a cleaner fender check out post nine in this thread:

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38494

Also in that last thread xslover explains how he did the rear fender.

[Schming]

Alright, you guys made me cave. I ended up buying a seat similar to XS1100Lover's (the red one).









Once it gets in I'll take some measurements for those who are interested in how they fit. Here's is a picture of a nightster seat (same as I bought, pretty much) and how it fits on an XS11 without any modification:






My plan as of now (after seeing the above pic) is to chop the rear frame halfway down those fender tubes, lop off a section of tube, and plug weld it back on to shorten the frame but keep the mounting bracket for the turn signals. Then I'll work on rotating that fender because with the Virago XV1100 springs I just ordered it'll be an extra inch lower and if I try and shorten the frame without turning the fender up it'll either look like crap or drag (or both).

I'll try and document my progress as best I can to maybe create a guide for others since I know we've all been hounding XS1100lover but he doesn't go into much detail . There are tons of these sportster solo seats out there so it might be a good replacement for us sportier types (no pun intended).

That seat you picked up looks good.
IMO it would look good if you retained the thickness near the tank.
Looks like it may follow the lines from the tank better than the bike in the pics.

[IanDMacDonald]

Alright, you guys made me cave. I ended up buying a seat similar to XS1100Lover's (the red one).









Once it gets in I'll take some measurements for those who are interested in how they fit. Here's is a picture of a nightster seat (same as I bought, pretty much) and how it fits on an XS11 without any modification:






My plan as of now (after seeing the above pic) is to chop the rear frame halfway down those fender tubes, lop off a section of tube, and plug weld it back on to shorten the frame but keep the mounting bracket for the turn signals. Then I'll work on rotating that fender because with the Virago XV1100 springs I just ordered it'll be an extra inch lower and if I try and shorten the frame without turning the fender up it'll either look like crap or drag (or both).

I'll try and document my progress as best I can to maybe create a guide for others since I know we've all been hounding XS1100lover but he doesn't go into much detail . There are tons of these sportster solo seats out there so it might be a good replacement for us sportier types (no pun intended).

Or . . . You can put everything back to stock, put the money towards whatever, and ride, ride, ride, lol. JK, it'll be fun to see how this turns out.

[bikerphil]

On a Standard, you could take off the rear fender and mount a Special rear fender, it doesn't have that ugly hinge bracket, JAT

[crazy steve]

I was going to bite my tongue, but I'll throw a few tips and observations out there...

To get a better fit with that seat, pull the staples and strip it to the bare pan then reshape it for a better fit. The Harley OEM pans are plastic and can be worked with a heat gun or a propane torch (very carefully with the latter!).

And don't bother trying to use the XS rear fender. I have yet to see a XS bobber to truly look good with one (a few look decent at best), find a Sportster or similar fender. Both of the black bikes shown in previous posts used these.

The last thing I'll say is have a plan! Before ever touching the bike with a saw, know what you're going to do and how it's going to look. If you start modding without a clear vision of where you want to end up, it will end up looking piecemeal. All too often a owner will start hacking first with some vague idea, then try to make it look right after the fact. These bikes end up being sold as 'projects', or if the owner somehow manages to 'finish' it, they're badly disappointed with the results or surprised when there's no buyers when selling. Or only get 'parts bike' offers....

You're starting with a pretty decent-looking standard, I'd hate to see another one converted into an abomination....

[D0wn5h1ft]

Here's xslover's thread of his 1200 project bike:
(good seat pics)

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29450

For a cleaner fender check out post nine in this thread:

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38494

Also in that last thread xslover explains how he did the rear fender.

WOW! That looks really good, plus those XV920 are DIRT CHEAP on ebay. I'm gonna pick one up tonight.

Edit: Picked up one with the original wiring for the license plate light for $22.





It's a little rusty underneath but there really weren't any that weren't. I'll soak some rags in evaporust all lay it over the inside when I get it and then put a good black enamel black underneath to protect against rust in the future.

[IanDMacDonald]

You're starting with a pretty decent-looking standard, I'd hate to see another one converted into an abomination....

Correct me if I'm wrong Gabe, but I never saw a pic of your bike in this thread.

[D0wn5h1ft]

As requested, however, my bike doesn't have either of those exhausts (or lack there of!) on there anymore. It's now 18" straight pipes on the same manifold. And yes, it's a '79F with special gauges and headlight.

[IanDMacDonald]

Wait, I thought u were going to keep the Dyna's from your E and put them on your F? When I first bought my bike, I PM'd Steve regarding the square headlight. He stated that it gave out a wider beam pattern, etc. Now that I see it on your bike, I guess I'm glad I kept it. Did u ever try to find the XJ750 light? Why don't u just buy my Mac pipes from me and leave yourself with one less headache when it's time to tune

[natemoen]

You are jumping the gun and buying parts without having your plan.

So are you going to reshape the bike frame to fit that seat or are you going to reshape the seat to fit the bike? Easiest way to get a decent seat in these situations is to make your own seatpan and have it upholstered. Making a seat pan out of fiberglass mat and resin is actually pretty easy, it is just messy. Then the seat will fit perfect and you won't have that narrow seat sitting between those much wider frame rails.

You would be much better off making your own pan.