Looking good. Just about everything can be improved, baby steps, or you’ll go broke but there’s a certain point where you stop and then you’ll just enjoy it for a long time. Thank you for sharing.
New to me 09 XR
Just bought this one,, my first XR and I'm really liking the seating position. IM an old guy at 70 years and have had many bikes thru the years. I perfer a sort of sport bike seating position and I really like the power delivery of a HD engine. This one is rough, but Im pretty good at making bikes look nice again. I traded a 01 883 that I converted to 1200 and some more engine work for this XR. Figure I have $5 K invested into this neglected bike. Needs some work, but I'm good at that.
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I would love that as a project, its a great starting point!
I can only assume the previous owner was a small guy/girl. That is one lowrider, those rear shocks are very short and the bars are low and at a strange angle, cornering must be somewhat compromised.
As a comparison the black bike in the middle of the pic below has standard shocks and the same V&H exhaust as yours, look at the distance between the rear axle and the bottom of the exhaust and see how much of the rear drive pulley is on show. Also note how the standard handlebars look on the black and orange bikes.
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Its not often the swingarm pivot point is lower than the rear axle and it will get worse when you sit on it, all easily sorted and back to where it should be with standard parts or even better with some upgrades. Longer than standard rear shocks really make these things come to life.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this
I can only assume the previous owner was a small guy/girl. That is one lowrider, those rear shocks are very short and the bars are low and at a strange angle, cornering must be somewhat compromised.
As a comparison the black bike in the middle of the pic below has standard shocks and the same V&H exhaust as yours, look at the distance between the rear axle and the bottom of the exhaust and see how much of the rear drive pulley is on show. Also note how the standard handlebars look on the black and orange bikes.
Its not often the swingarm pivot point is lower than the rear axle and it will get worse when you sit on it, all easily sorted and back to where it should be with standard parts or even better with some upgrades. Longer than standard rear shocks really make these things come to life.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this
Ha!! Skiddy sez that turning must be compromised? Thats an understatement, dump trucks turn quicker then this sled. I remember my first turn I came to on my first ride, I was in the other lane counter steering hard !! I about ran off the road, well not that bad but you get the idea. Anyways,, just ordered a set of Progressive 412's in 15 inch length yesterday. I learned about increasing ride height over stock from this forum. See, I've been paying attention.I would love that as a project, its a great starting point!
I can only assume the previous owner was a small guy/girl. That is one lowrider, those rear shocks are very short and the bars are low and at a strange angle, cornering must be somewhat compromised.
As a comparison the black bike in the middle of the pic below has standard shocks and the same V&H exhaust as yours, look at the distance between the rear axle and the bottom of the exhaust and see how much of the rear drive pulley is on show. Also note how the standard handlebars look on the black and orange bikes.
View attachment 255490
Its not often the swingarm pivot point is lower than the rear axle and it will get worse when you sit on it, all easily sorted and back to where it should be with standard parts or even better with some upgrades. Longer than standard rear shocks really make these things come to life.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this
Hey Skiddy, this look better now? Just installed some 15 inch Progressive shocks,, would like to take a ride but had to many beers today and I don't drink and drive or ride like this.. Cant wait till tomorrow,,I would love that as a project, its a great starting point!
I can only assume the previous owner was a small guy/girl. That is one lowrider, those rear shocks are very short and the bars are low and at a strange angle, cornering must be somewhat compromised.
As a comparison the black bike in the middle of the pic below has standard shocks and the same V&H exhaust as yours, look at the distance between the rear axle and the bottom of the exhaust and see how much of the rear drive pulley is on show. Also note how the standard handlebars look on the black and orange bikes.
View attachment 255490
Its not often the swingarm pivot point is lower than the rear axle and it will get worse when you sit on it, all easily sorted and back to where it should be with standard parts or even better with some upgrades. Longer than standard rear shocks really make these things come to life.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this
Hello from AmishLand, PA. I'm 1 year younger than you...retired from Harley Davidson...and own 4 of these rascals. That's how great I think they are. I find the XR1200 to be one of the most pleasing-to-look-at motorcycles ever built...enjoyable and pleasant to ride...and virtually bomb-proof and reliable as hell when thoroughly sorted and reasonably ridden. Dump every single drop of fluid on that entire bike...refresh and replenish everything...think about updating the stock pads to EBC....lube all cables and adjust everything you can find up to factory feel and specs....then sort out the cosmetics later after a very thorough cleaning. That's where I'd start. Good luck Sir.
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the bars are not stock. the up turn is too short and they are not as wide...maybe for lane splitting.....I would love that as a project, its a great starting point!
I can only assume the previous owner was a small guy/girl. That is one lowrider, those rear shocks are very short and the bars are low and at a strange angle, cornering must be somewhat compromised.
As a comparison the black bike in the middle of the pic below has standard shocks and the same V&H exhaust as yours, look at the distance between the rear axle and the bottom of the exhaust and see how much of the rear drive pulley is on show. Also note how the standard handlebars look on the black and orange bikes.
View attachment 255490
Its not often the swingarm pivot point is lower than the rear axle and it will get worse when you sit on it, all easily sorted and back to where it should be with standard parts or even better with some upgrades. Longer than standard rear shocks really make these things come to life.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this
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