As result of my employment in the U.S Air Force I've been deployed to the sandier regions of this world. Upon my arrival in 2008, I met and worked with a group of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Shortly after I began work, I received the nickname "Shop," all my life my nickname had been "Bish," but never "Shop." Of coarse if you haven't already figured it out, my last name is Bishop. At first I wasn't quite sure what to think of the new nickname but it grew on me, mainly because the previous name of "Bish," often sounded like the Webster's dictionary definition of a female dog. The name "Shop" stuck and that's what my friends from the desert still call me today. So long story short my current Chops and my future Chops will be known as "Shops Chops."
When I decided to do this XS1100 Bobber on 16 Dec 2008, I hoped that if I documented everything, it might make it easier for others making their own Bobber or Chopper projects. I hope that you find this Blog helpful. I've added links and as many part numbers and locations as I could find. I've also added a email form for any questions, comments, or pics of your project. I promise I will reply personally to all messages. Feel free to browse the pages, the posts are constantly updated, with the exception of deployments back to the sandy land, in that case it will pick up after my arrival home.
Thank You for visiting "Shops Chops" and I hope you enjoy it!
Your Friend,
Shop
Hey man I totally agree on that tail light....i was hopin u would get somethin more like that, its prolly a little smaller then the other ones we were lookin at...Good small and discrete, otta look amazing! PECE
ReplyDeleteHey Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThanks I really appreciate the reassurance, it helps probably more than you think.
Thanks again,
Shop
Hey man your blog is awesome. I too am building an XS11 rigid bobber, and you've already helped me alot. I really appreciate you doing this for everyone. I look forward to seeing more from you.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Joe
Joe,
ReplyDeleteThanks, I really apriciate it! I hope that the blog keeps helping out. Feel free to hit me up with any questions and I'll do my best to help out, the email form on the right is a direct link to my email. Right now I'm out of town in one of those sandier parts of the earth but I hope that when i get back I'll be doing some more to the bike. I'd really like some flame thrower pipes.
Thanks Again,
Shop
Hey man you still alive?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteYes! And thankful for it. So who is this?
Shop
This is Joe again. I sent you an e-mail about a month ago. I'm doing my hardtail next month, and I was asking for any tips you might have. I'll have to do the whole thing in a day, so I want to have all my ducks in a row. I didn't hear from you. So I just wanted to make sure you're with us. Be careful out there!
ReplyDeleteJoe Mamma,
ReplyDeleteAh yes as soon as you said it was Joe I remembered. I thought I sent you a email, so I checked my emails sent items. I found it and resent it, so it might be in your junk mail, however if you don't get it again please let me know I might have the wrong email address? On a side note my bike is now on two other web pages now (that I know of) www.htctech.net/~squirts/bobberz.htm
and http://xs11bobber.tripod.com
it seems like its popping up everywhere It even made it on a Calander. I couldn't beleive it, heres the address to the calander page
http://www.cafepress.com/XJ1100.420695630#
just click the Oct link. I found that out today and it made my day especially while I'm over here in the Suck, or the dirt, or the sand what ever they're calling it these days.
Well thanks again for the concern I really apriciate it.
Shop
Shop you did an amazing job on your bike. Very inspiring. Like many others that have posted on here I found this sit after buying an sx11 as a project bike. This is my first build and am sure i will be sending you a few emails in the near future asking for your help. I just got an 83 sx11 that im going to bob but want to keep it a soft tail. I do however want to lower it and change where the shocks mount to the frame. To give it that hard tail look. Do you think that would work or do you think that the angle will make the shock not be able to function properly?
ReplyDeleteFour Hundred fourteen goblins,
ReplyDeleteThanks, I wish it was finished! If it wasn't for pesky responsibilities like work, the family, eating, sleeping, as well as everything else and not to include my other hobbies, then I'd been finished a long time ago, but that's life. Congrats on the new XS11 your about to embark on a interesting journey with the build. If you do it right the longest part will be the planning. I spent hours just sitting in the car port staring at the bike until I could see what I wanted it to be. So go ahead and make the bike a custom, like you plan. Plenty of people have made their copies, but that's not what makes it cool its the custom that turns heads at the end of the day and your on the right path.
Shop
Thanks chop. I have already spent hours sitting and staring. Building a vision of what I want the end result to be. I am going to copy/borrow your oil can starter button idea. Its kinda slick.
ReplyDeleteGoblin,
ReplyDeleteNo Problem, and thank you. Keep us updated on the progress.
Hey my name is Ken and I just happened to find a cheep bike that was a 79 xs1100 and was looking around the net to see what I was getting into. Then I found this wonderful place. the only thing I'm not sure of what to do is with the electrical stuff. What did you do to get rid of the stuff that you did not want or need. Also how did you get everything to fit you your (oil tank).
ReplyDeleteKen,
ReplyDeleteYou are 100% correct all the electrical stuff wont fit into the oil tank. so here are your options. First, if you don't need it get rid of it but be careful before you just start slicing and dicing and if you do cut wires take pictures before and after also get real familiar with the wiring schematic. Second option that a lot of people use is to hide it. In the event that you want to go back to stock someday and still want stuff connected. For this you would have to get creative like under the tank creative. I almost didn't suggest that one because I'm sure I'll get destroyed in the comments for it but it's a option. I hope that this helps?
-Shop
i want to see if i can make this inline 4 sound like a v twin. the first and 4th and 2nd and 3rd cylinders fire at the same time so if i make an exhaust withe thoughts cylinders going into one it should work i think. can you think of anything that could cause this to be a bad idea. i cant think of anything.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really sure why you would want to make it sound like a v-twin but if that's what you want to try then go for it. I would consult the people at xs11.com to be sure though?
ReplyDelete-Shop
Hey Shop,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you for taking the time to document all your work so that people like myself can have it a bit easier. It is surely appreciated.
Rob