My '79 XS 1100 Special Work in progress: Massachusetts

...but a good shot!

I have been shopping around for parts and want to go with some clip-ons. Which ones are you guys running and do you have any recommendations? Does 37mm upper fork diameter sound right?

On another note, can the special tank can be interchanged with the standard tank without any modifications? This was the feeling I got looking at exploded parts and pictures. If this is the case, I am going to pick up a standard tank to paint to match my cafe tail and keep my stock seat/special tank to swap back on later if I want because it was just recently repainted really well in black.

The standard tank is a direct bolt on (my black one up there is a special). The fuel level sensor from the Special tank will have to be used, as the Standard tank one works differently. Also, some people have had to trim the front of the seat, as the standard tank is somewhat longer. I did not have to do this though. I makes a biiiiggg difference in how the bike looks, though!

Hey, As far as a standard tank is concerned, ford covered that.. For the clip ons, I had to go through an Ebay seller who sold them in our sizse, (much larger) you will also need EMGO or equalent headlight ears if you plan to mount them under the top triple tree. Fork tube diameter is 37mm

In my pictures, when the bike is solid red, they are above the trees, and when it is black and red they are below the trees.

Here is a list of all the other bikes with 37mm forks, some of these bikes may have OEM clip ons for cheap Mine were $100 Shipped

Ebay Link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-NINJA-250-R-37mm-clip-ons-handlebars-clipons-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c1030125bQQitemZ120530670171QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories



37 Honda CR-80R (96-98)
37 Honda CR-80R (99-02)
37 Honda CR-85R (03-04)
37 Honda CR-125R "Elsinore" (79)
37 Honda CR-125R "Elsinore" (79)
37 Honda CR-125R "Elsinore" (80)
37 Honda CR-125R "Elsinore" (80)
37 Honda CR-250R "Elsinore" (78-80)
37 Honda CR-250R "Elsinore" (78-80)
37 Honda NX-250 (88-90)
37 Honda XR-250R (81-82)
37 Honda CMX-450C (86-87)
37 Honda CX-500TC (82)
37 Honda FT-500 "Ascot" (82-83)
37 Honda VF-500C "Magna" (84-85)
37 Honda VT-500C "Shadow" (83-84)
37 Honda VT-500C "Shadow" (85-86)
37 Honda XL-500R (82)
37 Honda CB-550SC (83)
37 Honda CBR-600F "Hurricane" (87-90)
37 Honda CB-650SC "Nighthawk 650" (82)
37 Honda CX-650T "Turbo" (83)
37 Honda VF-700C "Magna" (84)
37 Honda VFR-700F "Interceptor" (86)
37 Honda CB-750F (81-82)
37 Honda VF-750C "V45 Magna" (82-83)
37 Honda VF-750S "Sabre" (82-83)
37 Honda VFR-750F "Interceptor 750" (86)
37 Honda CB-900C "Custom" (80-82)
37 Honda GL-1000/K "Goldwing" (75-79)
37 Honda GL-1000/K "Goldwing" (75-79)
37 Kawasaki EX-500D1-D11 "Ninja 500R" (94-04)
37 Kawasaki ZL-600A1/A2 (86-87)
37 Kawasaki ZX-600A1-A3 "Ninja" (85-87)
37 Kawasaki ZX-750A1-A3 "GPz" (83-85)
37 Kawasaki ZX-750E1/E2 "Turbo" (84-85)
37 Kawasaki ZX-1100A1 "GPz" (83)
37 Kawasaki ZX-1100A2 "GPz" (84)
37 Suzuki RM-85 K2-K4 (02-04)
37 Suzuki XN-85 D "Turbo" (83)
37 Suzuki GS-500 EK/EL/EM/EN/EP/ER/ES/ET (89-96)
37 Suzuki GS-500 EV/EW/EX/EY (97-00)
37 Suzuki GS-550 LD/LF (83, 85)
37 Suzuki GS-550 ED/ESD/ES3/ ESE/ EF/ESF/ESG (83-86)
37 Suzuki GS-650 MD "Katana" (83)
37 Suzuki GS-700 EF/ESF (85)
37 Suzuki VS-700 GLFG/GLEFG/ GLFH/GLEFH "Intruder" (85-87)
37 Suzuki VS-700 GLPG/GLEPG/ GLPH/GLEPH "Intruder" (85-87)
37 Suzuki GS-750 ED/ESD (83)
37 Suzuki GS-750 LN (79)
37 Suzuki GS-750 SD "Katana" (83)
37 Suzuki GS-850 GN/GT/GX/GZ (79-82)
37 Suzuki GS-850 GD (83)
37 Suzuki GS-1000 C/EC/N/EN/ET (78-80)
37 Suzuki GS-1000GT/GLT/GX/GLX (80-81)
37 Suzuki GS-1100 ET/EX/EZ (80-82)
37 Suzuki GS-1100 ED/ESD (83)
37 Suzuki GS-1100 GZ/GLZ (82)
37 Suzuki GS-1100 LT (80)
37 Suzuki GS-1150 ES3/ESE/EF/ESF/EF2/EG/ESG (83-86)
37 Yamaha XJ-650 LK "Seca Turbo" (83)
37 Yamaha XJ-900 RK "Seca" (83)
37 Yamaha XV-920 RH/RJ "Virago" (81-82)
37 Yamaha XJ-1100 J "Maxim" (82)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 E/F/G/H (78-81)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 LG/LH (80-81)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 LG/LH "Midnight Special" (80-81)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 SF (79)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 SF (79)

I went shopping for some clips on and have been chasing a standard tank around town. There are 'rumors' that someone has one. I love the chase, every salvage and performance shop recommends the next. o_0 I'm also ordering up fuel line and odds and ends. Thanks for all your help.

However, I have put my project on the back burner. Not only am I in the middle of a frame up CB360 build (pics to come), Less than two hours ago I laid down my 85 Honda Interceptor. Damage is minimal on the both of us, but those repairs take priority. Luckily I was close to home and could push it back, as it threw the chain. Talk about a 7 block downtown college town walk of shame amirite?! Hopefully I will get the XS beast complete in the next two months or so though. In the mean time, keep inspiring me with your monster cafes.

ouch man! glad you are all right!

Yeah. Me too. But the worst part is I am still addicted! It must be that dirtbike training I have, where falling down is just part of the game. I mean, it wasn't the first time down, and I was more upset that my steed got scratched and I missed out on bike night with my guys then I was at getting a boo boo. In slow motion I'm thinking 'this is embarrassing' not about how much it might hurt while my gear is abraded off during the slide. It makes me more excited to stomp a bike in gear and tear it up. Us ton-up boys have a strange mentality.

I hope you guys are ready for a big change.

Its not mounted yet, not ground down, not legitimately painted, but I did it in 5 hours. You get the idea.







Let me know what you think. The cowl removes reveiling the seat I had on it already, now I have a Cafe seat and a 2 up seat and made both myself for less than $80

Love it.


Just ran new fuel lines, new bars, and lowered the gauge package and lights on mine. Its looking good, but it still looks stock for the most part.

I think this bike rocks! Really nice work, and it looks comfy and mean too. As a taller guy I dig larger cc bikes due to larger frames. i know it goes against the cafe thing, but I don't really care. Again, nice work!

Well done, that seat cowl is slick! Are you planning to add padding to it to flush up the seat boundary?

You wouldn't happened to have any pictures of the seat in more detail? or even some more information on how you made it? I'm going for kind of the same look on the rear. Thanks.

bringing this back from the dead, The bike has come a long way since the last updates. I have included a few pictures, but the build content will pick up a bit now that the winter is setting in, Cheers!





Rolling Shot


The seats are interchangeable in about 20 mins

I sold my XS11 some years ago after a bad back injury (are there any good back injuries?) it was just too big for my strength level at that time. Anyway, I was on my way to putting on a USD R1 forks set. I have the XS11 stem in an R1 (2001) triple clamps plus the tapered roller bearings if anyone is interested in it? This makes the USD front end a bolt up. The XS11 is a fast bike alright.
Cheers, 50gary

Hey there. Fellow MA here. Great job bringing it back.

Some more pictures of a few things. I've been working on some updates




My License plate mount, I will get a good picture of it installed with the tail light

Nice ride. I have here that is almost complete. Just a question - whats the ride like with the suspension that low. Are the corners faster, easier, scarier?

That looks raw. Looks awesome man!

Nozila.. Cornering is ok, the lower center of gravity definitely helps, but the extreme trail change does not. With a fork brace and good tires, I have yet to have any issues. I now have Progressive rear shocks and the front springs have been cut and spaced so that should help some this time around.

i Greek, Thanks!

i really dig "que sera sera" thats from hamlet right? where did you get that headlight fairing? its tasteful, not giant, not too small...im now kinda interested in one for my cb750