Introduction

[SovereignDragon]

Just wanted to get on here and say hi. I just picked up a 1980 XS11 last night. Rode home 20 miles in 27 degrees. I couldn't feel the cold until after I got home, stopped, and peeled the smile from my face. It's gonna need a little tweaking here and there but I got it for $700 and it survived that ride great. I'll get some pics of it up soon.

[natemoen]

Congrats! Just the fact that you could drive it home says more for your bike then a lot of other people here can say. I know I certainly could not have.driven mine home!

[fredintoon]

Just wanted to get on here and say hi. I just picked up a 1980 XS11 last night. - - -

Hi Josh and welcome,
congratulations on your bargain. I paid more for mine in worse shape.
Your post and profile don't say if the bike a Standard (XS11E), a Special (XS11SE) or even a Midnight Special (XS11LE)

[Kit]

Welcome, from one new member to another.

[CatatonicBug]

Hi Josh and welcome,
congratulations on your bargain. I paid more for mine in worse shape.
Your post and profile don't say if the bike a Standard (XS11E), a Special (XS11SE) or even a Midnight Special (XS11LE)

Agreed! That's a good price for a turnkey bike! Most folks have to spend a few weeks knocking the wasp nests and rust off before things will start to move again.

However, Fred - If it's an '80, it would be a Standard (G), Special (SG), Or Midnight Special (LG). The "E" is for the '78s... But of course, I know you knew that.

[fredintoon]

However, Fred - If it's an '80, it would be a Standard (G), Special (SG), Or Midnight Special (LG). The "E" is for the '78s... But of course, I know you knew that.

Hi Bug,
I know I know that too.
And E & G ain't even next to each other on the keyboard.
And I threw out all my aluminum pots years ago even if I can't remember why.

[Cobia]

Welcome

Josh,
If you rode it home for that price, and only "need a little tweaking here and there" , you done good. I have an '80 and spent a lot more getting to 100%(+/-) reliability with it.
Again, welcome, and notice that pics go a long way around here.

[SovereignDragon]

Took me some time to figure out which one I had. It's a Standard. I do like the Special gauges better and might swap over later. As for now I'm going to just put on some new bars, change the grips, clean the wiring a little, and just go over everything to make sure nothing else needs replaced. I figure I'll ride it for a season to get used to it before really putting any money into it.

[WMarshy]

Welcome to the site! Take a close look at the fuse box as they are a common weak spot in the wiring. You can get a cheap replacement from member TopCat that will replace you old one with automotive style blade fuses. Do a little search and you will see his product on a lot of peoples bikes. Again, welcome.

[SovereignDragon]

I think you called it on the fuse block. It still has the old style and looks like one of the wires came loose and someone just tried to stick a stripped end of the wire through the hole on the side where it's supposed to be soldered. It's loose and it's one of the headlight wires. I'll get a blade style fuse holder and rewire it. Also got it running a lot smoother. Thankfully I'm prepared because of my XJ650 and already have the special valve shim bucket holder tool, carbtune, and colortune. I hooked up my carbtune just to take a peek at the sync of the carbs and the number one carb was closed just a little more than the others. I synced them up really quick and the throttle response was amazing. I love the simplicity of these bikes. So far ahead of thier time and so easy to work on at the same time.