'79 Cafe/Rat Build

[BardGriffin]

hey guys! Long time reader, first time writer here. First let me say that this page has been a huge help to a greenhorn like me. Thanks for keeping it going!

Anyway, last Summer I decided to buy a bike. This is my first. I've spent years riding other people's bikes and even stayed in a relationship with a CRAZY girl because I couldn't give up her CBRs. But this one is MINE.

I was looking for something around 550cc that I could build into a cafe racer and instead found this '79 XS1100 Standard for $600.


When I purchased it, it was only running on two cylinders. a friend and I brought it to my car-port on a trailer and I rebuilt the carbs, fuel system, and enough details to limp it 25 miles to my shop for the real work. As of now, I have completely torn down the bike. I am in the process of rebuilding the motor and repainting the frame. I intend on doing a clear coat on both tank and frame to get a very raw look. I'll keep you all posted on my (slow) progress.

[wingnut]

Welcome to the madness Brad.

[Prothec]

When I purchased it, it was only running on two cylinders.

Well you did say you were looking for a 550

[Schming]

Hi Bard, Looks like you have an R.C. Engineering 4 into 1 exhaust which are rare

Welcome "Home"

[BardGriffin]

Well you did say you were looking for a 550

Hahaha! Good point!

[Garagamus]

Be aware, if you're looking for the cafe look, regular clubmans will not clear the standard tank. There is a company making extra wide ones specifically for the XS, but sorta pricey. I've got superbike bars with a 1" rise that look decent, but more importantly are comfy compared to clubmans. They can be made into nice cafe's, but still handle horribly at speed.

[BardGriffin]

Hi Bard, Looks like you have an R.C. Engineering 4 into 1 exhaust which are rare

Welcome "Home"

Unfortunately, this my beast decided to leave his muffler on a busy boulevard where it was promptly crushed by a rather angry looking fellow in a '96 Sentra. I have a Mac system on order right now. I'll probably build something custom down the road, but I need to get my bike rolling for the moment.

[BardGriffin]

Be aware, if you're looking for the cafe look, regular clubmans will not clear the standard tank. There is a company making extra wide ones specifically for the XS, but sorta pricey. I've got superbike bars with a 1" rise that look decent, but more importantly are comfy compared to clubmans. They can be made into nice cafe's, but still handle horribly at speed.

The previous owner installed the current clubmans and they seem to clear the tank reasonably well. I'm honestly not sure if that is because they are wider or what. My intentions are to use clip-ons eventually when I put a GXSR or R1 front end on, but that's at least a year from now. I still need to work out compatibility issues.

Thanks for the heads up!

[BardGriffin]

Update

Ok! After months of of delays, the project is moving forward again! Last we left off, I had finished with the seat and was working on paint.
I had a heck of a time finding a café seat or even a pan, and finally resolved to use the existing seat (pictured above) as a base and re-build from there. I stripped the pleather and tool a hand saw to the foam and seat pan, trimming off the B-Seat while retaining the mounts and support.



Once I had it down to the rough shape, (modeled after a Dime City Cycles design) I took it down the street to an upholstery shop for final shaping and covering. The finished product fits like stock but looks just the way I wanted. And as a plus, it offers ample padding, contrary to all the café racer torture devices out there.



Obviously, I need to figure out the fender, especially since I'm chopping off the last six inches or so of the frame.

[BardGriffin]

Gettin' it torn down for rebuild.

[BardGriffin]

Almost naked...

[IMG]http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah126/BardGriffin/Ludo/7_zp****lki5q.jpg[/IMG]

[BardGriffin]

I talked my lovely wife into helping me take the paint off. That powdercoat was stubborn.

[BardGriffin]

Ok, the paint is off. Since this isn't going to be a show bike, I'm not worried about perfection especially in areas covered by the seat or tank. Additionally, the "rat rod" aesthetic allows for a certain lack of perfection that comes with this being my first build. I've lopped off the frame just behind the seat mounts. I have brackets to mount LED turn signals off the shock mounts.

[BardGriffin]

If all goes well, I should be painting the frame this weekend and the tank next weekend. Both are getting a clearcoat and the engine is going to be black. I have lots of little goodies going on once the paint is dry. Round headlight, LED turn signals, axle mounted brake light and plate mount, aftermarket controls, braided brake lines...



I've also installed new fuel lines with inline filters.