XS1100 chain drive conversion

[Aussiexs11]

Would be a good thing if you would, might begin an "unearthing" of an old piece of history? Im interested in how you go, please keep us advised (if you dont mind asking for info)

[pgnz]

Here's some close-up pics of a chaindrive setup, see the outer re-inforced frame tube where you need to notch the inner side for chain clearance.  The oiler is gravity fed like a Scottoiler,  works well, adjusted to flow one drop of sticky chainsaw bar-oil per minute,  I'm still running the original chain and sprockets,  rear sprocket is off a Suzuki Busa, there's been no wear on the chain or sprockets for tens of thousands of kilometres over maybe 4 or 5 years or more, (time flies by) I sprayed chain-wax on it often before rigging up an oiler, I've only had to adjust the O-ring chain about 3 or 4 times so far, also a pic of the homemade swingarm I used, it was two old XS11 swingarm halves welded together with the original axle holes hacksawed off and sliding axle mounts welded on.  A modern Alloy swinger like the beefy ZZR one is stiffer though,  you feel the difference on bumpy corners etc..  The tyre is a Bridgestone BT020 160/70/17 radial

[steptoe]

wonder how you'd go today, racing with the tank cap turn key in  ,

morg and wack are just round the corner from where I reload in Bris,, so maybe I can start the search for said chap 

[Eveready1100]

Had one of those flashback moments last night. I remember seeing an XS11 at a small bike shop I used to frequent in 1985 or thereabouts. It was called Mark Savage motorcycles and located at Geebung, Brisbane. It was a chain drive bike with the 8 plug head on it. Maybe this was the bike in question? He had a young chap working for him who was racing at the time but he was tragically kiiled in a traffic accident so it may have belonged to him? The last I heard of Mark was that he was working at Morgan & Wackers in Brisbane so maybe we could begin a trace to find where it ended up?

Twas all this talk about the 8 plug head that jogged my memory.

[Christian Raith]

Just testing 

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[Eveready1100]

Christian, don't want to be a pain but can't I see a diff peeking out from behind the numberplate?

[Christian Raith]

Greg Pretty

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[Christian Raith]

Another angle.... These are built for serious racing by Stuart Garvie

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[Christian Raith]

How's this for a taste

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[Eveready1100]

Here's a snippet of info I found, Pretty old & vague but info nonetheless.

CLICK HERE PLEASE

Interesting to note the price of the (new) Suzuki GSX1100 in the ad on the page too.

[Aussiexs11]

Information is becoming very very positive, have been contacted by Xtians contact who manufactures chain drive units, very nice bits of gear, just waiting for a costing though.
I do like the do it yourself approach and it works too.
The swingarm and various components are interesting. I would want to keep twin shocks, so Dale your swingarms may come into their own.
If they retro fit in to existing frame and dont alter geometry too much.
The front end change is a great idea but frowned upon by the racing gods, they like you to keep it standard (on the outside). 
Anyone got photos of the aussie xs race bikes for details?

[pgnz]

Probably the main reason to turn an XS11 chaindrive is to gain a bit of extra oomph,  lose a big chunk of weight back there, improve the handling, tweak the gearing ratios to what suits,  and run a fatter rear tyre(radial),  and you'd really want to be matching a 17" radial front with it,  so straight away you're at least looking at a front end mod as part of it...

  Here's this no frills cheap chopped drive unit,  with a fat tyre the sprocket sits well out and for the thing to be reliable you need the sprocket shaft mounted solid with two bearings or else the main bearing inside the gearbox is eventually gonna chew out from the uneven leverage on that long shaft,  this one has the outer bearing attached and floating, and bolted in place firmly with a steel bracket to the engine casings.  My old mate XSChop who USED to be on the .com site but who's since given the officious shiny-bums  residing there the finger,  occasionally knocks out a classy CNC premade unit for the fat tyre crowd that'll plug & play ,  a CNC'd plug and play unit costs a fair few bucks though




Plenty of DIY pics here and a few diagrams of swingarm mounting, pics of frame bracing etc..  http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7173.0

[Aussiexs11]

I do like the idea of a thread on this.
PGNZ, you say you have one done? I can understand there are many modifications needed, but is it possible to document this, maybe there are a few out there who can or do have access to the skills needed to do something.
Its easy if you have done something just to accept what youve done , but it will amaze others and provide a really great resource for others as well.
The mods you made to a middle drive for example, might be worth seeing  /measuring and photographing for others.
The swingarm issue could be a very simple or elabourate fix depending on your skills /access to skills. If  Dale (COE1948) is in the process, perhaps we can capture that and see how effective that can be.
I know it means work but if there is something we can do to help it would be great. There may not be many interested in this but I think there are quite a few out there who are , and as a few make the track , even more are looking at it.
I hope you guys can assist in this process. Im interested thats for sure.

[pgnz]

couple of vids,  chaindrive XS in the twisties

[FJR Ken]

You could visit/ring some of the older Yamaha dealers.
Roger Heyes did some work on the XS in 2007 at Startline Motorcycles in Slacks Creek

The XS's with diffs won because of the quick tyre change.