Hey Everyone,
I wanted to introduce myself, and say "Thank You" for the GREAT info on this site...which has been a huge help with my current build. I've been lurking on here for a while, and finally found the time to actually post my bike and the progress I've been making on it.
Quickly about me/back story: I've been riding since '92 (In college) when I picked up an '81 Maxim for practically nothing and learned to wrench/ride it over that summer. I then picked up a '78 Standard (Again for a few hundred bucks) and had the pleasure of restoring back to stock (it was modified and cobbled together when I got it) but I loved the parallel twin so much--yet I stupidly sold it in 2000 (thinking I would go modern for reliability and comfort). Over the years I've had 6 or 7 other bikes, mostly hondas & yamaha's and my longest and current daily ride is my 2001 FZ1, which I've done a lot of modding to and LOVE it (Can't imagine I'll ever sell it)!
However, I've always kicked myself for selling the '78, and wished I had kept it for a cafe project I've always wanted. Just this past summer, my neighbor pulled a '79 Special from his storage shed and as soon as I heard the familiar twin rumble, I knew it was an XS and went to see what he was up to... we chatted about it and as it turns out-- it's was his mom's (he's the 2nd owner) with 4200 original miles on it! It's been sitting for 10+ years and he's been meaning to get it back on the road. He confessed that he hasn't had the time or interest to really do it...So recognizing the opportunity, I offered to buy it --he threw out a GREAT price and I jumped. Let the project begin!
Phases of my cafe build: I consider the process I'm taking to be more of Phases, as each one will allow me to adjust and plan for future change, but still be ride-able and for the most part, "heading toward the final vision" I have for it. I'm not really in a rush, and I'm attempting to start this project with doing as little irreversible alterations to the bike/frame as possible...(with the idea that I may want to revert back to stock some day and not regret the cutting that I end up doing) but more over, get a better feel for what works/what doesn't.
(Note on pictures: I'm really bad at taking pictures as I go, I often think about them well after I've done some work...but I will try to post those that I do take)
Phase 1: The bike as I got it, cleaned up a bit (Actually looks half-way decent in the pic.)
The bike started, but ran like crap. Needed a new battery, air filters...and fortunately, the charging system was working great! The Carb floats were stuck on the left side, both carbs were gummy & Dirty and out of sync. The petcocks leaked bad, valves and timing need adjusting, etc. But overall, great compression and I think a solid bike. However, the seat/handlebars, sissy bar, and the ride stance is just not my thing...those had to go ASAP!
So I stripped it down, cleaned up the carbs, bench synced as best I could, adjusted the cam chain tension, I put in new plugs & wires but I haven't dealt with the timing or valves just yet. I got new air filters (Sticking with the stock set up for now) and I also got some clubman's and lowered the guages & Ignition switch. I flipped the headlight ears, and lowered the headlight as well. Got rid of the stock turn signals, and mounted smaller ones on the lower triple tree bolts. I also ran "Standard" throttle/clutch cables, and re-routed the front brake lines so they wouldn't be so contorted due to the clubman bars.
I scored and found an XS750 tank super cheap (It had been cleaned out, petcocks redone and resealed by a bike shop, but never picked up...so they wanted it gone). More importantly, I found some helpful hints on this forum to mount them above the stock location--worked out great I think. I also swapped out the key assembly from the original tank so the ignition/tank match now. With the clubmans and 750 tank, the turning radius was allowing the bars to hit the tank. Thus I restricted it by drilling out the stops, threading the holes and adding screws as adjusters...worked out well.
Next, I needed to see how the ride felt with lowered bars, etc...so I found a seat off of an XS1100, and ripped it apart, cut down the padding, recovered it with some vinyl I had lying around. Took the tail light off the stock fairing, and added matching turn signals with the fronts. Painted the side covers and tail to a "close-to-burgundy" color...added some cheap pin striping for fun, and mounted it using the stock hinges/lock.
And finally, I cleaned up the rims as best I could without removing them.
So that's how it looks/stands as of now. (I've been ripping around the neighborhood and it's a blast, but corners like a heavy log--will address in next phase). I don't like the seat, it's WAY too big and long...but it works for it's purposes. I'm planning on building my own seat, probably about 25" total, and tighter to the frame. My dilemma is I don't want to cut the rear hoop, nor do I want to cut the hinges/side lock off just yet. I'm pretty sure I can build one out of fiberglass to meet my specs/needs. I've never done it before, but how hard could it be?
On to Phase 2...Preview: (Address suspension/ride height, and get it cleaner)... I plan to swap out the wheels for matching "standard" rims. I found some today and they should be here next week (19 "H" 1.85 fronts and 18 "H" 2.15 rears; 100/90 19 & 110/90 18 respectively). I've also have some longer rear shocks (13.5") Progressive's coming from 650 Central. I think that will be a HUGE help with how it rides and corners.
In later phases, I'll work on cleaning up the front gauges, getting clipons, new polished yoke/triple tree and new headlight bucket/ears, etc. I am looking for a very clean & minimalist look. I'll also address the airbox/battery and try to clean that area up... but that means rewiring and I'll probably need to jump in and address the charging system which will likely fail on me sooner than later. Ha ha. (But I don't want to deal with that for a while).
Way down the road...when I get to the point where I'm happy with the weight/suspension/looks, etc...I will tear it all down and get it all cleaned up/painted/polished and see where it takes me. Like I said at the beginning (If you're still reading this...lol) I will be riding it through all the phases and my plans may change as I go...wish me luck.
(Please share thoughts/concerns/questions...I'm not new to the XS, but this is my first build on here, and my first cafe...so I appreciate the feedback/support or general complaint. I don't take things too personally). Thanks!
I wanted to introduce myself, and say "Thank You" for the GREAT info on this site...which has been a huge help with my current build. I've been lurking on here for a while, and finally found the time to actually post my bike and the progress I've been making on it.
Quickly about me/back story: I've been riding since '92 (In college) when I picked up an '81 Maxim for practically nothing and learned to wrench/ride it over that summer. I then picked up a '78 Standard (Again for a few hundred bucks) and had the pleasure of restoring back to stock (it was modified and cobbled together when I got it) but I loved the parallel twin so much--yet I stupidly sold it in 2000 (thinking I would go modern for reliability and comfort). Over the years I've had 6 or 7 other bikes, mostly hondas & yamaha's and my longest and current daily ride is my 2001 FZ1, which I've done a lot of modding to and LOVE it (Can't imagine I'll ever sell it)!
However, I've always kicked myself for selling the '78, and wished I had kept it for a cafe project I've always wanted. Just this past summer, my neighbor pulled a '79 Special from his storage shed and as soon as I heard the familiar twin rumble, I knew it was an XS and went to see what he was up to... we chatted about it and as it turns out-- it's was his mom's (he's the 2nd owner) with 4200 original miles on it! It's been sitting for 10+ years and he's been meaning to get it back on the road. He confessed that he hasn't had the time or interest to really do it...So recognizing the opportunity, I offered to buy it --he threw out a GREAT price and I jumped. Let the project begin!
Phases of my cafe build: I consider the process I'm taking to be more of Phases, as each one will allow me to adjust and plan for future change, but still be ride-able and for the most part, "heading toward the final vision" I have for it. I'm not really in a rush, and I'm attempting to start this project with doing as little irreversible alterations to the bike/frame as possible...(with the idea that I may want to revert back to stock some day and not regret the cutting that I end up doing) but more over, get a better feel for what works/what doesn't.
(Note on pictures: I'm really bad at taking pictures as I go, I often think about them well after I've done some work...but I will try to post those that I do take)
Phase 1: The bike as I got it, cleaned up a bit (Actually looks half-way decent in the pic.)
The bike started, but ran like crap. Needed a new battery, air filters...and fortunately, the charging system was working great! The Carb floats were stuck on the left side, both carbs were gummy & Dirty and out of sync. The petcocks leaked bad, valves and timing need adjusting, etc. But overall, great compression and I think a solid bike. However, the seat/handlebars, sissy bar, and the ride stance is just not my thing...those had to go ASAP!
So I stripped it down, cleaned up the carbs, bench synced as best I could, adjusted the cam chain tension, I put in new plugs & wires but I haven't dealt with the timing or valves just yet. I got new air filters (Sticking with the stock set up for now) and I also got some clubman's and lowered the guages & Ignition switch. I flipped the headlight ears, and lowered the headlight as well. Got rid of the stock turn signals, and mounted smaller ones on the lower triple tree bolts. I also ran "Standard" throttle/clutch cables, and re-routed the front brake lines so they wouldn't be so contorted due to the clubman bars.
I scored and found an XS750 tank super cheap (It had been cleaned out, petcocks redone and resealed by a bike shop, but never picked up...so they wanted it gone). More importantly, I found some helpful hints on this forum to mount them above the stock location--worked out great I think. I also swapped out the key assembly from the original tank so the ignition/tank match now. With the clubmans and 750 tank, the turning radius was allowing the bars to hit the tank. Thus I restricted it by drilling out the stops, threading the holes and adding screws as adjusters...worked out well.
Next, I needed to see how the ride felt with lowered bars, etc...so I found a seat off of an XS1100, and ripped it apart, cut down the padding, recovered it with some vinyl I had lying around. Took the tail light off the stock fairing, and added matching turn signals with the fronts. Painted the side covers and tail to a "close-to-burgundy" color...added some cheap pin striping for fun, and mounted it using the stock hinges/lock.
And finally, I cleaned up the rims as best I could without removing them.
So that's how it looks/stands as of now. (I've been ripping around the neighborhood and it's a blast, but corners like a heavy log--will address in next phase). I don't like the seat, it's WAY too big and long...but it works for it's purposes. I'm planning on building my own seat, probably about 25" total, and tighter to the frame. My dilemma is I don't want to cut the rear hoop, nor do I want to cut the hinges/side lock off just yet. I'm pretty sure I can build one out of fiberglass to meet my specs/needs. I've never done it before, but how hard could it be?
On to Phase 2...Preview: (Address suspension/ride height, and get it cleaner)... I plan to swap out the wheels for matching "standard" rims. I found some today and they should be here next week (19 "H" 1.85 fronts and 18 "H" 2.15 rears; 100/90 19 & 110/90 18 respectively). I've also have some longer rear shocks (13.5") Progressive's coming from 650 Central. I think that will be a HUGE help with how it rides and corners.
In later phases, I'll work on cleaning up the front gauges, getting clipons, new polished yoke/triple tree and new headlight bucket/ears, etc. I am looking for a very clean & minimalist look. I'll also address the airbox/battery and try to clean that area up... but that means rewiring and I'll probably need to jump in and address the charging system which will likely fail on me sooner than later. Ha ha. (But I don't want to deal with that for a while).
Way down the road...when I get to the point where I'm happy with the weight/suspension/looks, etc...I will tear it all down and get it all cleaned up/painted/polished and see where it takes me. Like I said at the beginning (If you're still reading this...lol) I will be riding it through all the phases and my plans may change as I go...wish me luck.
(Please share thoughts/concerns/questions...I'm not new to the XS, but this is my first build on here, and my first cafe...so I appreciate the feedback/support or general complaint. I don't take things too personally). Thanks!
