New member in Sydney

[rasputin]

I'm not an engineer Ora physicist, or very bright for that matter, but I'd reckon concrete spinning clockwise would be much better for driving a heavy vehicle on the right (ie left hand side) of the road because it turns the weight toward the crown of the road. If it turned the other way, it'd be throwing the weight out if you went around a negative camber corner. Almost as bad as cornering on a Moto Guzzi...

Can't argue with the aircon, auto transmission and stereo though. Probably less problem getting cars to give way with that many axles and that much weight too...

Your saying that the weight turns towards the crown of the road is exactly why I asked the question. Our crown is of course to the left side which is the drivers side here. Your crown would be to the right hand side which would affect a concrete truck seriously. I can do left hand turns all day long with no problem as the drum turning will compensate for it. Right hand turns are the cause of most mixer roll overs as that is when the product is riding up that side.
By the way cement is the glue that sticks it all together but Concrete is the mix of all the materials. 
Good luck with your bike and will be happy to help in any way I can.

[steveh]

an Aussie invention..concrete trucks

[Bedlam]

I'm not an engineer Ora physicist, or very bright for that matter, but I'd reckon concrete spinning clockwise would be much better for driving a heavy vehicle on the right (ie left hand side) of the road because it turns the weight toward the crown of the road. If it turned the other way, it'd be throwing the weight out if you went around a negative camber corner. Almost as bad as cornering on a Moto Guzzi...

Can't argue with the aircon, auto transmission and stereo though. Probably less problem getting cars to give way with that many axles and that much weight too...

[Fred]

Mate, knowledge is power,

our Crap and Concrete both swirl in the same direction, Clockwise

[rasputin]

Welcome to the forum. I have worked on a few Suzuki's and I would not mourn even one second over selling one in order to ride an XS. I happen to drive a concrete truck for a living and I will say it is one of the sweetest rides ever. Automatic transmission, Cd player, Air conditioned, all controls are by remote and it will accelerate like a passenger car. One steering axle and three drive axles does make it a bit cantankerous in the corners though, so I have to agree with that point. With 14 wheels on the ground one kind of expects that too.
That said .... can anyone tell me if the concrete trucks there turn the drums in a different direction than we do in Canada. No this is not does your toilet bowl swirl opposite to ours question (although I would like to know that too) but wondering as you guys drive on the wrong side of the road. The crown in the road may affect the truck, thus the question. Here the drum would turn in a clockwise direction if you were following the mixer.
Not trying to hijack the thread but inquiring mind would love to know.

[Fred]

Mate,

you'll be surprised just how much power a fully intune cement truck has.

These were built to last and built big to plant themselves firmly on the road at any speed. Unlike the wanderings of that GS any time you get a bit of a cross wind from that roadtrain coming the other way.

Welcome to the big boys club Darrin and any help you need sorting it out you'll get here in XSessive amounts.

[Bedlam]

Thanks for the welcome and the advice guys. No doubt there's a ton of work to do. She runs pretty rough at the moment, but first obstacle is to convince the missus to get a bigger garage to accommodate bike and parts. No small challenge.

When the ball does start rolling, the back shocks will be first to go. I've only just started going through the old threads, and I'm amazed at the level of info and advice offered around. Seriously impressive! On the other hand, my productivity at work has plummetted... As far as parts and things go, I've decided my much-loved 1150GS has to go to make way for the work, and to finance upgrades to my other bikes. There will be much mourning for that, so the XS won't be making much progress for a while.

I'm hoping to get some photos up soon.

Cheers!

[Eveready1100]

Welcome to the clan, Darrin.
Hmmmmm, more power, eh? Best starting point would be to get the motor running as good as it can as it is now (carbs balanced, valve clearances checked etc) then map a course of action from that point.
Bryan (AussiXS11G) has had a bit of work done to his baby (107 rwhp and better fuel economy than most stock bikes) so have a poke through his early threads on the mods he's done to his bike for a bit of a reference for your plans.
Here's a link to a list of things for new owners to go over on their bikes - CLICK just to give you something to do for a day or two.

Also regarding handling, here's a link to a thread (also about Bryans bike) discussing the fitment of emulators in the forks - Click, but it would also be a good start just to give your forks a dose of fresh oil, and check the steering head bearings while you're in the vicinity, to again give a base point to work from in standard form.
Rear shocks are really individual choice but if they are still the originals on the bike, that would have to be top of the list of things to replace even if they're not visibly leaking.

[XSIIE]

Welcome Darrin,

Great to have another local in our midst.

Eddy

[Tim]

welcome good to see another old girl being given  a new lease of life

[XSNT999]

Welcome aboard Darrin

I'm sure you'll feel right at home after awhile and you'll get heaps of advice when ever you need it.  Try and post some photos of your bike sooner rather than later as we all like to see what everyone has.

Cheers

[Bedlam]

G'day, I recently got hold of a 1980 XS1100 project bike to indulge my inner child, who grew up drooling over XSs, CBs and Z900s.

Just got it blue slipped, and looking at ways to get more power out of it, and to make it handle less like a cement truck. I want it to be finished in time to ride to Phillip Island in October. It's currently crammed in a car space with a BMW R1150GS Adventure, a CB900 in pieces, and a Nissan X-Trail. Something's gotta give soon...

I look forward sharing yarns and advice. 

Darrin