I've joined the ranks of the 2 bike owners!!

[Cobia]

I just couldn't pass it up....
Just purchased a 1982 XJ1100 Maxim with 31K mi.
Had fuel leaking out of the carbs for a bit, had fire in the holes, oil level above the full mark in the viewport, compression 160, 145, 155, 160 (1 through 4), a little corrosion throughout from living near saltwater, flawless paint on tank and covers, good meat on the rubber if somewhat strange selection of tires (Dunlop Quals, somewhat knobby tread pattern??).
Wouldn't start except for one brief sputter, owner had the choke on all the time when attempting to start it prior to my arrival but plugs weren't wet when I pulled them to check compression. Even ether wouldn't help. Battery dead but we managed to turn it over with the help of an upright charger. Main fuse OK.
Borrowing a trailer and bringing it home tomorrow.
I KNOW, I KNOW....PICS WILL FOLLOW VERY SOON!!!
Lots of additional controls and stuff as compared to my 80G. Remote choke, many indicators in instrument cluster LCD panel. adjustable handle bars. Lots of things to keep your thumbs busy...LOL!!
Will post pics tomorrow.
Wish me luck in purchasing a bike I couldn't start.

[CarolynS]

I did the same...

You won't be sorry. It may take some time and effort, but it will be worth it.
I bought my second as a parts bike and wound up saving it. I can't part it.
She's on the mend and I can't wait.
Have fun, take your time and all will be well with it.

[Cobia]

Awesome, Carolyn

What color is yours? Is it running yet? What were the most troublesome items you dealt with?

[CarolynS]

The avatar says it all...

That's the Witch in the picture.
She's black and will remain that way, but with pink accents. I gotta do it-it's a chick's bike!
Problems-holy @%*#!-The reason she wouldn't run is 8 bent valves. YES 8!!! Two busted valve guides. It's bad...
I am fortunate. I have Ed-the wonder mechanic-I love him. He's checked her out, stem to stern. He works cheap and he is like minded to me-Yankee to the core.
I bought my 79 last fall. It was such a rat that I started looking for a parts bike. I found my 80 just up the road and for short dough. I went to look at her and the kid I bought her from had no idea what he had. Oh well, his loss...this site is here and easily accessible. I have cleaned my carbs-so easy and so much fun I did the 79's for the fun of it; dropped the 80 off(it's beyond me at this point); and parted the 79 into boxes, labeled, and left it as a rolling engine holder-well, at least what's left of the engine-. I am fortunate. I have a mechanic that knows his stuff and is readily available.
Start at the beginning-Fire, Fuel, Air- If you have those, you're off to a good start. Me, I had no compression on any cylinders-none. Something was seriously wrong, and now we know why. However, the good news is that the repair-because I have another bike-will only run me about $300; less than I paid for either of the bikes.
You're going to have a blast learning about these machines and their little quirks. I really enjoy taking them apart and figuring out what the trouble is. Judging by the dedication found here, the loyalty is not misplaced. I figure if I spend the small amount of money to get her going, I'll have a bike that will give me years of honest service from here on out, with a small amount of maintainence on my part. There is another site dedicated to the XJ. Send me a PM and I'll give you the info.

[Bigfoot]

I didn't know there was a XJ site. I found this one when I first bought my XJ and really looked no further. I also recently added a second bike, an 80 mns that is currently disassembled in my garage. I am forcing myself to take my time with it and do it right.

[CarolynS]

The other site

I became a member because I am always looking for ways to improve. Must be my feminine nature...
I even posted about XS East for the xj owners, just in case. One can never assume that ALL is known by everyone interested. It is not as much fun as this site-a little remote, a little colder, not as much camraderie-but useful just the same.
There are some interesting people there. I would still claim this as the number 1 place, but for those of us who are curious and available, it is a good resource. Even if only one question gets answered-it's worth it.
PM me and I will divulge the address...This is my number one home, so I will keep the info to myself unless requested in a PM.

[Wildkat]

just one more...

I can stop any time I want to... really...


Famous last words... something about these bikes is certainly addicting...

Congratulations on your newest acquisition!

[HobbyMan]

Just don't get carried away......
More of these things will just start showing up in your garage

[DJinNH]

Cobia,

Congrats. My second bike was included with the first as a parts bike but since it's just as good as the first, there was no way I was going to put another XS1100SH to death. It's coming along nicely.

On a side note, man, do I love Jupiter. I use to live in West Palm Beach for only a year and really enjoyed how clean it was up your way. The lighthouse, the inlet, the town....I really wanted to end up living there but transferred over to Clearwater with work. Now I'm back up in NH after an accident at work forcing a retirement. I am glad to be up here near my son though. It's where I belong.

Don

[Cobia]

Progress update!!

I really like this bike!! The style and the ergonomics are very nice.
BAck to reality now, cleaned the carbs, with BikerPhil's major help, and we installed them. The bike fired up but didn't want to run well. Phil thought of the water spray exhaust manifold test and we discovered #2 wasn't firing well. Switched 2 and 3 plug wires but it didn't help the situation. We then tested the resistance at the leads and at the mains and one was not providing good readings. Decided the coils needed replacing and I've just odered them form MikeXS. I'll keep you posted on this odyssey.
I know, I know....PICS WILL FOLLOW - Probably Monday.

DJ - Sorry you couldn't hang out in the area. It sure is nice but getting ever so expensive to live here. If I wasn't a boater/fisherperson I may have moved to a more affordable location. Sorry to hear about your acident. Do you ever get down here any more? Plz feel free to look me up.

Carolyn - Thanks for the link to the XJ site and the tip about it.
And "curious and available" ??? HHMMmmm!!