My lovely day with Penelope.

[Murphyslaw]

Well I woke up and went to work. Pulled my fj1200 carbs to rejet up to 145 mains since it's been needed for some time. Found a missing main jet washer which I somehow missed when I rejetted from 110 to 137.5 when I bought the carbs. Found a spare in my stash and fixed that right up. Re - bracketed my throttle cable since it has always had issues with sticking and pulling the throttle whenever I touch the tank. Used a wire holder that I had taken off the bike previously. Works so perfectly it's astounding. I have not had too many issues with air/fuel affecting my rpm range but plugs have been white and I ride hard. I will test ride tmrw and see if I can max out past my normal 126 (doubt it) but I'm hoping to show you guys that a pod filtered. Open header. FJ1200 carb'd xs11 can beat the perception that we can't make these bikes what we want without flaws in operating. This is for you purists!

[Schming]

Keep yer wheels on the ground and yer feet on the pegs

[James England]

Even us purists know that not all XS1100's must be kept intact, unmodded and totally original. The mods you've outlined are well documented and it is easily possible to improve the original design by the use of more modern parts..eg Geezers rectifier regulator, a variety of carbs, ignition system upgrades etc.

I think what most of us purists aren't keen on is when someone takes a 30 year old bike that's in exceptional original condition and then hacks it about, chops bits off the frame, trashes a rare OEM exhaust system, does some of the mods you've described etc etc.... You know, it's like taking a Chippendale cabinet, cutting the legs off it and sticking it out the garden as a rabbit hutch. When that happens, it's a real shame. Then, having been ruined, the bike is sold on and never the same again. One classic bike fewer.

[Murphyslaw]

Well my frame is in fact chopped. Believe me, you would've loved the bike when I first got it for $50 non running. Cosmetically it was great. But I hate the square headlights. Windjammer. Trunk. And all that jazz. Most people have no clue what an xs is let alone what it looks like stock. But I've never came across anyone who didn't like my bike. I get more compliments on my bike than a stripper gets bills. I have to say for the age they are a mechanical wonder but I like my Frankenstein =] I must also say this bike never would have seen the road again if it weren't for me and my hacksaw happy hands. I'd say that's a win for XSives regardless.

[DGXSER]

I get more compliments on my bike than a stripper gets bills.

You know, I have been to Sacramento, and I do not remember the strippers being THAT ugly there.

[bikerphil]

We want to see pic of your bike with the FJ carbs. Some of us like to modify things too.

[Murphyslaw]

I'll try to get some up tmrw. That means I gotta use photo bucket and I hate it haha. Also lots of nice lookin girls here. Come on through haha.

[bikerphil]

Picassa is another option if you use have a gmail account.

[Murphyslaw]

I hope u guys appreciate this.....it took about a half an hour...uggghhh. anyway I will be welding a new rear on the frame to support the seat. It will be flush and slightly lift the back of the seat but it won't be visible. That last pic is also old as u can see In the first pic I relocated the speedo lower.

[bikerphil]

Your bike looks good bro, a lot of people cut those rear frame rails off. Is the spacing of the FJ carbs the same as the XS?

[Murphyslaw]

The fj12 carbs fit like a champ. Choke has to be held In unless you can mount a cable setup for it and the throttle cable I got with it was very difficult to mount up just right for full range of motion. after rejetting to 145 I went out today and rode then I turned my mixture screws out a full turn and rode then turned it back a half turn. So it's getting dialed in and is prob. Good to go now.

[James England]

Each to their own, as they say. Definitely not my thing, but...whatever floats your boat!

[xs650man]

How does it handle without a fork brace ?

[James England]

How does it handle without a fork brace ?

It can't be very good, I'd say, especially with the thin fork stanchions. I rode mine without a brace and without the front OEM fender, which has a brace built-in, and the bike was all over the place.

[Murphyslaw]

Haha was it the bike all over the place, or was it you? Taking off the fender made absolutely no difference. I can lean into my corners as hard and as far as I need to and I've never had an issue. Would a fork brace help? Absolutely. But the stock fender does NOT have a brace built in. The fender metal is not rigid enough to make that much of a difference, if it did then they wouldn't mis-shape and tkat would not have made a brace. Agree or disagree it doesn't matter, but we all know what assuming does.