Choppin an XS

[SCVic]

Hi all

It's been a while since I posted. I've been toying with the idea of hardtailing, and overall choppin my XS11 but have always had a problem with the shaft drive in that vision.

Tell me if this is veasible:

choppin off the backend including the swingarm, build a hardtail add-on rear section, convert the mid-drive to a sprocket to run a chain. The welding part, although I won't be doing it, doesn't seem that hard, but is the converting the mid-drive to a sprocket possible? I want to do this so I can have more flexibility in rear tire sizes and to lighten up the backend in true chopper thinking. Lighter is faster.

[mitch]

search

go to the search tab up top and type in chain conversen sry cant spell...................MITCH

[jetmechmarty]

I see these posts often and I don't really understand why someone would want to make a chopper from an XS1100. It seems to me to be such a poor choice for such a project. Wouldn't it be much simpler to use a machine that is already chain drive?

OK, I understand the customizing, but why a hardtail chopper?

[Winterhawk]

Good way to die fast, It might be easier and cheaper to just put a loaded gun to your head instead. I hope you are joking about destroying a good bike to make it look like Harley trash.

[Dennyz]

I am disappointed to see some member not open minded enough to respect the interest of another member. One of the strongest points of this forum is that anybody can feel comfortable to ask a question.

I don't have a problem with people having an opinion, but I don’t understand the need to make unproductive comments. This seems to me a form of bigotry that makes no sense in our forum.

[Dennyz]

I have been looking into building a chain drive conversion for my project XS bike. Like most things, it turns out to be rather complicated. I have figured out how to fabricate a housing and shaft, but there is very little clearance for the average drive sprocket (530 chain). I have not yet found an over the counter solution.

[Pat Kelly]

Most chopers are all show and no go. Why not add a little go?
Other than tire width (the ultra wide tires that are currently popular) why convert to chain? Seems like a shaft would work on a hardtail (probably better than on a sprung bike). The shaft dosen't have to be enclosed (look at cars). As long as it's sealed at the middle and final drives. The stock XS shaft is enclosed because the enclosure is part of the suspension.

[SCVic]

Contrary to popular belief, I don't want to put a 250 tire on it but would like a little more rubber in the back and the shaft does not allow for any tire larger than roughly a 140 on a stock rim.

I've owned this bike since 95 and have always wanted a harley. After going to a real chopper show in charlotte a few years back I saw some AWESOME honda 750-4 chops. Gorgeous machines that were just the bare minimum.....my thinking is "if 750 is good, then 1100 is better"

I really don't appreciate the negative responses I've gotten over this thread. I know most of the members are nearing middle-age and have a very conservative attitude. Me on the other hand is early 30's, and I'm a longhair biker. I'm not cutting anyone down for what they believe. I think your attitudes are totally close-minded, and well I guess you'll never get it.

I do have a spare motor that I was going to play with as far as the chain conversion, I just lack the working space.

So, as my maternal unit used to say "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say it at all"

[Dennyz]

What if the middle drive could be spaced out, say 20-30mm. That would make room for a 180-200mm tire. Of course the stock rim will not work, but the VMax uses the same drive spline and will mate right up to the XS final drive (done it). The VMax rims I have are 15"x4".

Moving the middle drive out would require a longer middle drive shaft and a spacer.

[xswilly]

I have always toyed witht he idea of a chopper from an XS11
while i wouldn't do it with my good xs11

i would do it with a parts bike
one that didn't have any hope of ever being mint

things i have considered is
to change the angle of the stearing neck would be a hard thing
have you looked at all the gusseting there

the front end of an xs is heavy, if a person were to extend the forks, would they hold the weight, or bend on the first good bump you hit

a person could rework the swingarm on the right side for a wider tire, but then it would not be centered, chain conversion is an answer, but with all that horse power, it better be good, or parts will fly.

could go real crazy and widen the whole frame and set the motor to the left some, then the tires would be on center, the moter would be off an inch or 2, done right would anybody notice
and how would it go down the road, could pull to one side.

but after watching american chopper, how those guys, butcher some stuff up, and it ends up coming out ok.
( now i like american chopper, don't get me wrong )
it seems like thier favorite tool is a hammer and pry bar

a chopper is possible with an xs 11 power plant,
but it won't be easy, but then all good things are not easy
if you do it
post some picts
good luck
xswilly

[TopCatGr58]

One man's Harley Style trash, is another man's TREASURE!?
SCvic, more power to you! What's funny is how folks talk about those chopper bikes as not having any power, when they often put those big ~120 Cu in. V-twins that put out a considerable amount HP and TORQUE, definitely putting stress on the frame, chains or drive belts and such, and they hold up quite well! SO the power from an XS11 shouldn't be a problem for a chain!

Those hard tails take up some of the jolts by the large tire, also some have springer seats, but some are solid......my butt hurts just thinking about them!!! Good luck with whatever you are able to come up with, and yes, PLEASE POST PICTURES when you get it done!!

[ricoc]

If you want a Harely, buy one. Save the XS for a trike project. Remember everyone and their dog seems to have a V-twin and a teardrop tank. Be original as you can. For the shaft/chain conversions, it seems to be a common mod the Euroland.

[Dragonrider]

Chop it, chrome it, cover it in fur. As long as you ride, it's all good! It's your bike. Just post pics....

Ride on!

[MartyA]

My personal tastes don't run to choppers, but I do appreciate anyone who can do that type of work (art?). Dragonrider sez it best - "As long as you ride, it's all good!"

I bought a bunch of parts off of sixtysix, and there is a blown - as in blown up - XS11 motor in the pile with a chain drive conversion. Have not studied it at all, and most of my parts are stored at highlander's about 70 miles away. I should be able to bring all my parts back in the spring, remind me and I will look closer at that motor.

The Legends drivers like those 4-across motors, and they convert XS11s to chain drives. Maybe you could get in contact with one of those guys and get some information.

[scalded dog]

I am probably one of the most do it your way type guy, you can meet, if you want to do something, DO IT, and to hell with what anyone else says. I had an owner of a big bike yard, tell me that converting it to chain drive will increase the torque, and make the bike quicker. I say go for it, and post pics. Later 'Dog