1981 XS1100 Special

[DJinNH]

OK, guys and gals, this is all happening suddenly as I just put money down on a 2009 Yamaha Raider.

I have my '80 XS1100 Special that I may keep, not sure. I also have a 1981 Yamaha Special that is being worked on. I bought both bikes two years ago from a guy on Ebay, the '81 was sold to me as a parts bike but the previous owner told me it runs, it just has a problem with second gear.

I have never ran it but the PO fired it up to put it in the trailer I picked them up in.

This is what I have done to it so far;

- I had the fuel tank and battery covers repainted (Maroon) by a local body shop.

- New emblems for the battery covers and fuel tank

- I have two new tires, front and back that I haven't had put on yet, I will check but I think they are Dunlop

- new battery

- I just ordered a new Jardine Exhaust system (4 into 1)

- I have a new control switch system (engine on/off, start button) for it that I have not put on yet

- new foam handgrips with the crome ends

- I replaced the rubber boots from the engine to the carbs

- new rear shocks (aftermarket)

I'll have to take some pictures of it but right now the head is being worked on as I just had the valves replaced, new gaskets, etc.

Don

[DJinNH]

I forgot to mention, I had the 81's seat professionally reupholstered and it looks identical to the seat on my '80 in this photo (the bike on the left). FYI, Gary F's bike on the right, the same company did his seat.



Don


Again though, just to make it clear, the '81 I am now looking at selling has the fuel tank and battery covers that are maroon.

Also, the mechanic I have working on it....he redid the carbs too. Viper is his name when he use to post on here.

[DJinNH]

[xs11lover]

WHAT! A new bike! A v twin no less. Step back and come to your sences.....
The Raders are nice but I'm sure in a year you will miss the xs, if not the first time you open it up. Better pack that nice red one away for safe keeping, I'll let you store it at my house.

[tarzan]

Congrats Don,
I dont feel so bad now about buying my Victory.The new bikes handle nice and the balance is a lot better.I still have my SG.But I,m supposed to trade it to by buddy .He wants mine and he'll give me his SG and $1500.So I'll still have an XS,I'll just have to work on the one I get from him.

[DJinNH]

Sorry that photo with the tanks on my table is so small. I used a cellphone camera for that one.

Anyway, you may have spotted that Yamaha bracket that is mounted on the forks just below the headlight (it's on the table in front of the maroon tank)....well, I had the guy who did my tanks paint it matching maroon. It was so rusty before so I guess he sanded it or even sandblasted it, not sure, then painted it. Usually, as you know, it is chrome. I didn't know how else to make it look good and wondered if I could ever find a new one to replace it.

Don

[res1uqtp]

wrong forum string. wrong window. moved it myself .... sorry about bumping this thread.

[DJinNH]

As I stated before, this bike is getting the valves and carbs rebuilt and I have a new exhaust system (Jardine 4 into 1) on order. The new tires will be going on soon.

Just thought I would post photos of how it looks right now with the reupholstered seat, and the new paint job on the tank and side covers with new emblems.

I haven't had a chance to polish up the engine yet.







Don

[madmax-im]

Hey Don if this is forsale it might help to list how much you're selling it for... also this will be a running bike when sold? Still have tranny troubles too?

[DJinNH]

Hey Don if this is forsale it might help to list how much you're selling it for... also this will be a running bike when sold? Still have tranny troubles too?

Yeah, I know. I was stalling to see what it's going to look like for costing me to have 2nd gear repaired. I am not even 100% that there's anything wrong with it, just going by what the PO told me when I picked it up. His son ran it into the trailer I had so I know it runs.

Once "Viper" is finished putting on the carbs, fuel lines, tires and head, I guess $950 will do as long as the 2nd gear isn't going to costs me hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Heck, I paid over $300 something for that Jardine Exhaust system and over $200 more for the tires. $325 for the paint job on the tank and side covers. Oh yeah, and another $300 to Viper so far.

Yes, that is the plan...to have it a "running bike" when sold.

Don

[madmax-im]

Well thats cool Don...with the tranny it depends upon if you do the work with the help of other XSives...also depends upon wether or not the gears are dremeled or replaced...If you have to pay someone to do the repairs the costs to actually have the gears reworked vs replaced would be comparable. If you do the work "yourself" then dremelling would be the cheapest way to go...FWIW I had the tranny problem on my '82 Maxim. At the time I had the money so I opted to buy new factory gearsets from Yamaha and just replace them "myself" with the help of Randy and later TC. In both cases the bike was drained of all fluids and flipped upside down. New gearsets 1st/4th an 2nd/5th ran about $450. I now have a bulletproof tranny and wont worry about it ever again.

[DJinNH]

It's sad how much it costs to get these up and running, then turn around and just try to get back what you've paid into it.

I even forgot to add the $135 or whatever to get the seat reupholstered.

Shocks, battery, rear brake rebuild, etc, etc....$$$$$$$$

Don

[madmax-im]

It's sad how much it costs to get these up and running, then turn around and just try to get back what you've paid into it.

I even forgot to add the $135 or whatever to get the seat reupholstered.

Shocks, battery, rear brake rebuild, etc, etc....$$$$$$$$

Don

Yeah I totally empathize with you there...I dont think there is any car,truck,mc,boat or plane that one sinks money into and ever gets their money back on a sale. With my bike I did it 'cuz I've had it 26 years and intend to ride it another 26 years.

[DJinNH]

Here ya go.....In my will, the XS1100SG to my now 21 yr old son, the XS1100SH to my now 14 yr old. How's that for planning ahead? Just wondering how far ahead???

I guess the '09 Raider will go to my dog.

Don