Joining Rear Fender and Sportster Seat

[xs11lover]

sporty seat

You don't have to cut the frame.....but it does look better. I've done it both ways. Also I ended shortening the turn signal posts on one and put the cdi in the tool box. I had to trim the plastic nubs off the side but it will fit......then get a tool bag. hope this helps see how I moved the fender.

[xs11lover]

I thought you looked at these before you ordered your seat......

[IanDMacDonald]

XS11Lover- What is the exhaust system on your black special?

[xs11lover]

Other options.......more stock looking.

[xs11lover]

XS11Lover- What is the exhaust system on your black special?

I'm guessing you are talking about this one.......The bike is a 79 standard with a special tank......the exhaust is a kerker that didn't have the logo put back on yet.

[IanDMacDonald]

Yup, looks great!

[D0wn5h1ft]

A small progress update. I managed to correct some mistakes that I made with the brackets. Somewhere between the cardboard mock-up and the cad drawing I unknowingly decided to make the bracket way to big. Luckily, I was able to correct the mistake without having to weld a new set up. Here's some photos of it mounted on the fender. I ended up using an existing threaded hole to mount to since it was actually exactly where I needed it. I'm going to be mounting it on the bike, hopefully, some time this weekend. Playing a game between wanting to work on the bike and getting frostbite . I plan on swapping out that bolt in the front to an allen bolt like the other one but you can't see it with the seat mounted anyways.

[D0wn5h1ft]

The weather finally warmed up enough to get some work done and I've "finish" all the fabrication and mounted the seat/fender. For what it is, it looks pretty good imo. Future plans are to look for ways to get the seat a little more secure (plenty rideable for now) and to fashion up some better looking mounting brackets for the rear fender. Maybe I'll mill out some nice aluminum ones when I get the time. Once I have the money I'm going to buy some of those nice aluminum 3.5" risers and throw a set of drag bars on.

Also, I ended up slapping on some XV720 rear shocks which brought it down an inch and help lengthen the stance. To make the front end not look dumb I lower it 3/4 of an inch. Would have dropped it more but the forks were hitting the handlebars; a problem that should go away with the risers.

I think chops can go wrong but IMO mine was tasteful and reversible. Now I just have to send her off to the paint shop to get the monochrome gray paint job I've been longing for.

[Schming]

That's lookin' purty good.
Any chance of a sound clip ?

Those pipes, being long as they are and the small size all the way to the end are most likely why you didn't have to rejet.
Keeps the velocity of the exhaust flow the full length of the pipe.

[jetmechmarty]

Admittedly, I was skeptical. It's coming along rather well. I Bolt taillight might look good on the back of that bike.

[MaximPhil]

Hi downshift,
Interesting exhaust. Is that ceramic coating or Hi-temp paint?
I like the tanks colour and think it would look good with side covers done to match the tank.
Phil

[D0wn5h1ft]

Hi downshift,
Interesting exhaust. Is that ceramic coating or Hi-temp paint?
I like the tanks colour and think it would look good with side covers done to match the tank.
Phil

Hi-Temp ceramic paint. I only got the 500C stuff so it smoked and bubbled a tad right at the heads but the rest is solid; not enough to warrant repainting it right now. I'm planning on redoing the paint at some point with the ceramic 1000C rustoleum stuff. The paint on the tank is just the stock '79 standard paint that I'm going to have repaint (once the dent is out) to match the original colors because I like it so much. Side cover will be painted the lighter of the two grays that's on the side of the tank to match.

Now I'm just trying to figure out what taillight/brake light to mount. I'm searching for something era-correct not any of this LED sport-bike nonsense. Something with a lens that's not too big to keep the minimalist look

[IanDMacDonald]

U changin' up the handlebars to something more low profile? Superbike would look good on there.

[D0wn5h1ft]

U changin' up the handlebars to something more low profile? Superbike would look good on there.

Risers:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROX-ALUMINUM-ELITE-3-5-PIVOTING-RISERS-FOR-7-8-1-1-8-HANDLEBARS-/290801423974?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43b51d9666&vxp=mtr

Drag Bars:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-7-8-Drag-Style-Bar-Handlebar-for-Custom-Motorcycle-Chopper-Bobber-Tracker-/360710297766?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53fc0258a6&vxp=mtr

Grips:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-New-2P-7-8-Titanium-Style-Motorcycle-Chrome-Rubber-Handlebar-Grip-for-Suzuki-/310837595463?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item485f5d4d47&vxp=mtr

[mharrington]

I like what you are doing. Ive not grown bored with my XS100F but I do like things that improve the look- or tastefully change the look. What you are doing is something I may try. Looks like its not terribly expensive and is not seriously cutting anything up.