Hello XS11 Newbie here

[Mr.Bill]

Hello All,
My name is Bill.
I receintly acquired a 1979 XS1100SF, A long time friend of mine passed away 3 years ago, and I had heard he had a bike he has not ridden for years and i had never seen.

Anyway Thursday of last week, His wife told me I could have it. This was cool as I could bring this back on the road for my passed on friend.

So i go to get the bike, and to my dismay it was left outside since 1993, well that is the date on the sticker on the Virginia plate still on the bike.

BUT on a good note, she was out in the elements, But pretty well protected as was against grape vine wall, and the grape vines created a nice canopy over her.

And also she only has 5080 miles on her. So brought her home, a good power washing, and the adventure begins reviving her to her original state.

But actually the fenders, forks, (well most chrome) had a nice rust patina, so probably will sand it off and go for a black monotone look to her.

Need to get new keys, as she could not find them, and the title (oh what fun dealing with the MD MVA )

I looked and the ignition, gas tank and helmet lock all have the same lock number, are all of these similar or the same key, and looks like another typ of key for the side cover to the battery.

Oh and in there (the side cover actually came off from the top) the original tool kits was intact.

Thanks for listening (reading) and looking forward to this new adventure.

Take care.
Bill

[Wildkat]

Welcome to the group!

So sorry to hear about your friend... but what a nice thing for his wife to do!

and with that few miles... that's very cool!

Not sure what your level of expertise might be... but this is a handy guide for newbies to the bike...

Check out the bike

Also... you might want to add your location to your profile and your bike model to your signature... there are a couple of members in your area who might be a great source of info for you...
Just a suggestion...

Again...
Welcome aboard!

[trbig]

Welcome to the site. Sorry to hear about your friend, but glad the bike went to someone who will have some sentimentality for it.

As for the mileage, I would be hesitant to claim that. If it made it to '93, then you're talking 14 years of running with only 5k miles? Many of these bikes have had the odometers rolled over with some doing it twice on the stock engine. Unheard of in that time period. You can look on the triple tree (Steering neck) to see the VIN number, then look on top of the clutch cover on the engine case and see if the numbers match.

Yes, all those spots took just one key originally, and if the numbers all match, you should be able to go to a locksmith and tell him those numbers and have a key made.

You can go into your profile and type what make of bike you have, as well as your location so that it shows up and people won't have to wonder what you have every time. There may be others close to you that may be able to help. Many will help for the price of a meal and an adult beverage or three. Some don't even ask for that.

Again.. welcome to the site. Make sure you use another site like Photobucket.com so you can post pics. Read about it here...

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16626

Take lots of pictures of it before.... You'll be amazed at how addictive it can be to get one looking good. It'll make the "After" pics even better.


Tod

[newc4]

I'm not too far away, Vienna VA, so if you need help I could assist.

Darrell

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome aboard Mr. Bill! My condolences about your friend, but hopefully, you can pay tribute to him by restoring and enjoying the bike! Lots of things to check out on an old, neglected bike. The tech tips are full of information about what to look for. Read through ALL of them before attempting to do any work. If you don't already have a manual, you can download one from the link in my signature.

Be sure you don't ride it until you get new tires, no matter how good they look. Tires that old are hard and brittle, and will not support the bike. You didn't mention your experience with bikes. Is this your first, or have you ridden for a while? If you have not ridden before, please make the investment in an MSF riding course! These bikes are super powerful, and can easily get away from you if you aren't prepared.

Good luck, and we all look forward to seeing pictures!

[DenyP]

Welcome Mr Bill!

I look foward to hearing about your bike as it progresses to becomming a ride. Be sure to post pics.

Deny

[DGXSER]

Hey Mr. Bill, congrats and condolences!!

I am in a similar situation with a race car, only the car was WELL taken care of. A very dear friend passed on and his wife asked me and another guy to take the car. We race it occasionally and run it around, it is a real joy and I have great memories with that car and of him!

As to the bike, yep all things were originally keyed the same including the side cover lock. Four in total, ignition, tank, helmet lock, and side cover.

Sound sliek you have a bti of a project, but these machines are SOO cool and soo adicting when you get them running right and feel the beast within.

Good luck and as already stated ...pictures...pictures please!!

[Mr.Bill]

ok you all asked for it, my pleasure. Here is my new lady






















Here is the block number, exactly the same number as on the triple tree, could not get a good pic of it.

And GREAT site, and the nice downloads. An just after ordering a clymers off of ebay Hey cant have too much reference material.

And yes great bunch of info and tips in the forum here.

As you can see a nice bit of fun ahead of me, And wow these look powerfull just sitting there

Thanks again all for the welcome

[latexeses]

Welcome and good luck with the new bike.

I'll go out on a limb here as say you might want to get hold of a seat cover and some new foam....

Looks better than my 79F

Rodger

[Mr.Bill]

Welcome and good luck with the new bike.

I'll go out on a limb here as say you might want to get hold of a seat cover and some new foam....

Looks better than my 79F

Rodger

What you dont like my Beverly Hillbillies look seat, wow worked hard to get that look

Thanks

[Ivan]

Clean the carbs, check the fluids and ride that son of a gun. No matter what you do with that seat, it is still going to be uncomfortable after 200 miles, so just use some duct tape and off you go.

[foreda]

Looks good!!

That ain't so bad, it looks a lot better that my recently aquired 79 SF "Ghost Rider"!!!!

[Ivan]

I like the 78-79 standard seat on the 80-81 special. That is way nice.

All joking aside, seeing bikes with character is as entertaining as one that someone has shined up to near perfect, for me at least. I have a vein of respect in me for guys that ride the rats. One of my good friends at work loves rat bikes, and has a blast with them.

BUT...

You all will never bead BigDick with his siren mounted on the rear fender. That is classic.

[foreda]

Rat Poison

I have plenty of "Rat Poison" and it won't be ratty for too long. Ole Ghost Rider is soooo ugly, I don't park it anywhere near my other prizes!! HEHE
$100... What a deal!!

[DenyP]

I have plenty of "Rat Poison" and it won't be ratty for too long. Ole Ghost Rider is soooo ugly, I don't park it anywhere near my other prizes!! HEHE
$100... What a deal!!

I am sooo envious! You're right, What a deal!
A Special will come my way some day that I can afford.

Deny