1980 XS11 Special - Mayberry Duck Rebuild

[bikerphil]

the pans on Swampthing are the type with one latch on the top pf the pannier and the lids are on hinges...the pans on Kurt's bike have 2 latches and it appears the entire lid has to be removed in order to open them fully

Yep, I have the type like Kurt's except I eliminated the forward latch and put a hinge. Couple people I know have lost those lids because the latch wasn't secured. They are not easy to find replacements for. No worries for your type Ben, it seems like a better design with the side hinge.

[kboehringer]

Pick of Hinge Mod?

......... I eliminated the forward latch and put a hinge. Couple people I know have lost those lids..........

BikerPhil,
Can you please post a pic of your hinge mod? I'm currently pulling all the seals and such off and removing a ton of "yellow" weather strip adhesive to prep them for the Jetstream Blue Metallic paint...

I don't really want to, but I will probably drill out all the rivets on the latches and remove them too. With such a drastic color change, it's inevitable some of the old maroon-ish color will show through and I can't stand that kind of a paint job....GOT TO DO IT RIGHT! not Half-Buttocks

Since I'm gonna take 'em off anyway.... might as well change the fronts over to a hinge?

Thanks,
KURT

[bikerphil]

Kurt, there is one caveat to the hinge mod, I don't use the factory mounting brackets. The front 'crash bar' will interfere with the lid swinging forward. Unless you found some special type of hinge that would swing the lid more upward and out of the way, I can't see how it could work with the factory set-up. I can snap a pic or 2 tomorrow if you are still interested.

[kboehringer]

Kurt, there is one caveat to the hinge mod, I don't use the factory mounting brackets. The front 'crash bar' will interfere with the lid swinging forward. Unless you found some special type of hinge that would swing the lid more upward and out of the way, I can't see how it could work with the factory set-up. I can snap a pic or 2 tomorrow if you are still interested.

Phil,
I'd REALLY like to see your full set-up with this style bag(s). MadMax's newer bags have a slightly better more sleek styling these older units don't have. I've been looking at figuring out how to trim some of the girth off these, maybe your set-up will give me some ideas.....

Currently, these make my Mayberry Duck look a bit wide in the "backside"
Not really growing on me yet but might look a lot better with the lighter color.....

Sincerely,
Kurt

[madmax-im]

At the XSEast rally in 2009 in VT I recall following an XSive with the panniers with the 2 latches...he forgot to close the front latch and the lid came flying off and hit the road skittering across and in front of me...we recovered it but the top was pretty scratched up...that was the same rally where my muffler fell off my XJ...wont ever forget that one.,.,..

[madmax-im]

seems everybody was dropping parts on that rally...

[MaximPhil]

seems everybody was dropping parts on that rally...

Hi Ben,
Yes. On the run down the interstate back to the hotel some of us were going a bit over the speed limit when my left muffler (XJ650) parted at the joint. Fortunately did not fall off,like yours, and I was able to pull over and re attach it. Under the supervision of Brent in his role of caring for the stragglers.
Phil

[madmax-im]

A most memorable rally Phil...

[bikerphil]

Phil,
I'd REALLY like to see your full set-up with this style bag(s). MadMax's newer bags have a slightly better more sleek styling these older units don't have. I've been looking at figuring out how to trim some of the girth off these, maybe your set-up will give me some ideas

Here's some pics I had taken some time back, I'll snap some newer ones hopefully tomorrow...







These angle iron brackets above have been moved in closer to mount flush with the upper shock mount.

[kboehringer]

Support on bottom?

Here's some pics I had taken some time back, I'll snap some newer ones hopefully tomorrow...
SNIP.....These angle iron brackets above have been moved in closer to mount flush with the upper shock mount.

Phil,

I like the look.... a little cleaner and maybe a little more modern looking. I might like to try something like what you have done

Do you provide any support of the bottom of the bags that can not be seen in the pics? Or, is there some additional structural support provided inside to compensate for the missing outer support bracketry? Have you carried a passenger with your current set-up? It looks like you have the bags a little bit forward of their stock location making it a bit tight on the passenger to get to the pegs?

My bags, which appear stock, have two bolts on each side. They are supported inside and outside. Since the bag itself is not at all a very thick fiberglass, I'd probably want something extending down from the backside to catch the bottom OR reinforce the inside (facing the bike) to carry the weight of the bag and contents?

Additional thoughts?

KURT

[bikerphil]

Kurt, yes there is an additional support bracket under the bag which mounts to the frame as seen in the first pic. I have some flat bar inside the bag to strengthen the main mounting area to the angle iron. Yes i have ridden passenger on the back, 5' 8" girl, and she had no problem with the bags being in the way. Now the bike has a solo seat (girl fell off somewhere ) so not an issue.

[kboehringer]

Thanks Phil!

Phil,
Thanks for posting those pics....I appreciate you taking the time to do that.

Gave me some great ideas....Most of which will be copied from you (some consider that flattery ). I REALLY like the look of your bike above....Kinda has a "Cop Cruiser" look.

Personally, I LOVE and prefer the XS11 Special. The Standard set-up I purchased makes the bike look too much like a standard DUH! If I can incorporate some/all of the changes you made I can get the bags higher and allow for the upswept mufflers I prefer. Otherwise I need to install something like standard pipes.

I plan to re-paint the bags this weekend (actually early tomorrow a.m.) and see what the current set-up looks like in the lighter color. I suspect I will quickly modify the bags to a form similar to what you have done. Since I will be driving a majority of the time with the bride I will move 'em back a little more than you did to allow Nancy a little more leg room.

Thanks again for posting those pics.

Sincerely,
Kurt

[MaximPhil]

hi Kurt,
Having seen Phil's bike in the earlier configuration it had a very neat appearance. On the Venturer (perhaps others ) the bags are supported with a wide sheet down the back and tapered underneath to a centre bolt. Phils version is much more substantial than the OEM which is prone to break as mine have. I happen to like the look of a Standard
Phil

[kboehringer]

Bagger Get Some Paint

XS Friends,

Early this morning I got a quick coat of single stage on the bags. They are now beginning to grow on me a bit in their current form. This was a REALLY quick coat of paint I'm sort of using in place of primer as a basecoat (this is not base/clear it's single stage). The ugly paint on the bags was in good condition so there was no reason to strip it. There is no hardware or seals installed and the caps are just sitting there for evaluation & photo purposes.



I will let this paint thoroughly dry and then get a "Nice" coat on them. The tank and side covers received their final coats and will get a wet sand and buffing in a couple weeks.



Before I decide to make a modification like Phil did I'm going to address some of the MANY other issues with Mayberry before I hack anything off or significantly modify this set-up.

Does this look unusual on a Special? In a bad way? Don't worry, I've got tough skin and your opinions are valuable......

Although function is more important than looks, I want my bike(s) to have appealing looks too....... There are some very "Functional" and very ugly bikes out there today I wouldn't toss my leg over.

Respectfully,
Kurt

[tomcos67]

I am sure when you are finished anyone would be happy to own it..looking forward to seeing fairing on her!!