XL/XR hybrid mutt

[Sporticus]

Originally Posted by Apehanger Hank

Great project. I look forward to seeing it finished!

Thanks Hank. When I first started this project, I intended to build the same rolling chassis but with a warmed over ironhead engine. I started a post about it here and you mentioned your experience road racing an ironhead (XLR?) and how horribly it handled. I thought a lot about that and got the idea to reduce rake through shortening the downtubes. Now I'm sending out the whole frame to someone far more skilled than me to completely remake the backbone and steering neck, bringing it down to 26 degrees (factory XR frame spec) from 30 degrees (stock '81 street bike spec). Glad I listened to you.

[Apehanger Hank]

I think the neck change will be beneficial. I've been following an XR/XL race bike on another forum and he also changed the frame to XR dimensions.

[Apehanger Hank]

Here's a picture of a lowboy (road race) conversion on a 79 frame. Done by an inmate on the XLForum. Last year at the Eustis VMA swap meet there was an XR motor/frame for sale. I would have bought both as the price was decent but the motor had already been sold. Now kicking myself for not buying the frame!