XS11's forever?

[Geezer]

Re: rectifier

Originally posted by Hobbit
Hey Raven, try this site:
http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/

Thanx for the plug Hobbit, this is my website. For those that want to see what the ol' Geezer looks like, there is a less than current pic of me on the About page.

Family issues has kept me away from the XS regulator/ rectifier project for the past month but I’m going to be digging back into it hot and heavy over the next couple weeks.

Geezer

[buffalo]

I don't see the XS as particularly unreliable either Geezer, but anything with 25+ year old electronics makes me a little nervous on long trips, and having to depend on it for day to day use. I have owned enough old cars over the years... and probably been making a living on them toooo long.

[Geezer]

Originally posted by buffalo
I don't see the XS as particularly unreliable either Geezer, but anything with 25+ year old electronics makes me a little nervous on long trips, and having to depend on it for day to day use. I have owned enough old cars over the years... and probably been making a living on them toooo long.

I see what you mean. It's not like the days when we could fix a set of points with an emery board, a business card and a screwdriver.

I guess you could carry a spare ignition box and a rectifier/regulator unit. On the other hand, carrying spare parts on a trip will almost guarantee that you won't need them.

Geezer

[buffalo]

I guess I would rather have them and not need them, than need them and not have them

[Geezer]

Originally posted by buffalo
I guess I would rather have them and not need them, than need them and not have them

You should be able to keep a spare ignition unit in the factory tool box.

I wouldn't bother carrying a spare regulator/rectifier. If the charging system fails, you can unplug the headlight and bump start. A fully charged battery will get you several hundred miles on a charge if it's only running the ignition. Gas stations don't have battery chargers the way they used to but it shouldn't be that had to find some helpfull local biker to help you out.

Geezer

[sabar10]

i can say from experience there arent many other bikes to own except one and that is an 1984 fj1100 and having owned both the xs1100 since 1979 the only one i still have is the xs1100 not because the fj wasnt a real trip but when you need the cash sacrifices have to be made. on the other hand there arent many bikes that will hang with an xs thats set up right the only problem is the corners but thats ok because there has got to be a straightaway so you can reel them in.

[xs650mike]

I've been riding since 1958 and have actually owned and/or ridden a lot of bikes that are legendary in the sense that most riders have heard of them but many have never actually seen them, much less ridden them. Some of them I loved a lot, the Bonneville, the Matchless G12 40" twin and my XS650 twins. By this you can see that I'm partial to 40" vertical twins. Having said that I will now say that the XS1100 is definitely a keeper, after all it's just 2 twins in the same block. I've owned other Japanese fours but they didn't have the "soul" of the XS11! And on top of that, it's really fast. I just read a Cycle World road test of a new Harley Street Rod. The quarter mile time is maybe 1/10 of a second faster than the XS1100SF was tested by Cycle back when it was new. Check the archives on this site if you doubt me. Did I say it is really fast?

Someone mentioned the Vmax. I've ridden the Vmax both the original (faster than the new ones) and a late model. This is a really fun and fast motorcycle and I'd love to own one but...a really big but here...the seat of the Vmax has to be the Japanese revenge for Hiroshima. The new ones are better'n the old ones but unless you're really a masochist you can't go any distance on the darn things. The XS11 has no such problem, the seat on my Special is as good as any stock seat I've ever sat on and I've sat on some good ones. I could ride this bike anywhere! So if I were to get a Vmax I'd still keep my XS11. Did I say it is really fast?

[RS Thornton]

This thread has been running awhile, so I thought I would make another contribution.

I carry a spare regulator and a spare ignitor in my tool bag, but 2 weeks ago I completed the iron butt BB1500Gold and a SS2000 so I was more than a few hundred miles out. The 78 is rock solid and runs better than a lot of bikes out there. I was thinking about selling off the 78 because the custom seat is a bit too narrow for any longer rides, and the charging system is a little weak. I have extra lights and an electric jacket, so if it is cold and dark and I to decide which bothers me less. I was reading the posts on the forum and now I have doubts about selling it, I think I will dump the 97 star instead. I can ride the 99 if I am running farther than 1000 miles. I am sure I would regret it if I sold such a classic.

[Wayne]

Sold mine a few years ago during a divorce. Had an 82 Venturer full dress. Loved the bike but was getting too difficult to find parts and needed to sell to keep the X outa my hair.
Many of us XSives turned to the Valkyrie (which is also an out-of-production bike, is there a trend here?).
Those of you who will be attending the TeXSive Rally will find several Valks there as well.
Love it but still have plans to someday have another XS11 standard stripped and turned Hooligan bike.

My XS11 (long gone now)




My 1998 Honda Valkyrie (right after I bought it)

[Street_Rat78]

XS11 - The only bike for me!!!

When I was first looking for my bike, I had plenty of options. I said flat out, I would not ((at any time)) own a crotch rocket. I wanted a motorclcye. After shopping around, I had the choise between my XS1100 and a 2003 Suzuki Volusia. I spent a great deal of time pondering the purchase and finally decided to buy the XS11.

On the day I was picking up my bike, I told the PO that I chosen his bike over a newer Suzuki Volusia. He grinned and asked why, saying he just had to know. I explained to him about how I liked the idea of I bike I could work on myself and one that me and my ole lady could take out for the weekend. I told him that overall, I really like the XS11 better pretty much across the board. I mean, I looked at the Volusia and saw a motorcycle, but when I looked at the XS11, I saw a throne with unlimited potential. He laughed and told me as sad as he was to let it go, he couldn't imagine it going to a better person.

Needless to say, I didn't find out how popular these bikes were until after I had purchased it and started telling my friends what I owned. I got several awed expressions and I'm pretty sure I caught a hint of green in a few eyes.

So, for me, I'll be an XS11 owner for life. I'm even starting to look for one for the misses. She'll be so thrilled.

[ccogswel]

Here's my story.

I was 10 years old when I got my first bike. A 1982 Honda xr80. That bike gave me nothing but troubles as I recall. Then again maybe it was me as I was a new rider. But I have to admit that bike started it all for me. After that I had a 73 Kawasaki 350 followed by a 82 kdx 450. When I got the 450 I was 15. I still have it and respect it to this day. I rode this bike for ever. Got in trouble with the police more then I can count with my finger and toes. To me this was the bike. Wished I could have had it as a street bike for a long time. But as time went by I got older and it was getting louder (it was me not the bike) So I bought a 78 Honda CB750K. I've ridden this bike for about 15 years. It was alright but I wanted more. I never knew about the Yamaha XS1100 until my older brother had bought one. A 81 XS1100 Special. The first time I rode that bike I was in heaven. It was nothing that I had ever felt. It gave me goose bumps as I accelerated it. The sound of the engine the way it rode and the way it made me feel just won me over. I was the mechanic in the family so I would tinker with my brothers bike so I could test drive it. I'm serious. I did this! I bet I put more test drive miles on it then he did driving it. Well as I continued to drive my Honda the more I craved for an XS1100.

Well things happen over time. Lost my father when I was 17 followed by my baby brother when I was 21 (he was 18). I moved from Colorado to Kentucky in 95 to get help from my sisters to take care of mom as she went down hill after Mike past away. And with all this I put off trying to look for a XS1100.

But! As they say good things come to those who wait. Last year in May I was on ebay looking to buy me an XS1100. Low and behold. There was a gentlemen selling a 79 XS1100 for parts or as a whole bike. I thought about it for a day or two. I mean the bike had been sitting for a few years from what I was told. It was outside as well. And the guy didn't know if it would run. All I knew was it had spark and compression. And I thought to myself, well Christopher when you bought that Honda it had set for years and you got it running and road worthy in a month. So lets just say I now have the bike. Took a year buying some parts that it was missing. All from ebay. And yes I sniped most of them. (I want to say sorry to any of you all that I may have done it to but I was on a mission)

At last! I got it started about a month ago. Put the first 15 miles on. I'm still working on it as second is gone and the petcocks leak like a bad faucet, and the fork seals need to be replaced. And still have to do a paint job. All I can say is when I got it running and took it up the street, that same old feeling came right back to me after all these years. Its really amazing, I still get goose bumps. I read the other posts. Some saying if money wasn't an issue. All I can say is if I was the richest man in the world I would still have my XS1100. Don't hate me cause I'm faithful.

I also want to say. If I wrote to much here I'm sorry as I have a tendency to babble

[Poprock]

XS for ever

Been riding for 1.5 years, wishing to lots longer. I landed in the Yamaha puddle by accident. There was an 82 Maxim 650 I could afford. Learned on it. 5000 miles later, Maximan my friend introduced me to The King of Kong, 80 SG full dresser in New Yamaha Black. It is my bike. It stands out in the crowd, it sounds awesome, runs great and commands great respect. It's a keeper.

[valhallan]

what would i own...

my first bike was an 86 honda 750, with the full package, gold wing fairing, everything you could want for touring, the works! my dad gave it to me when i turned 17 and he upgraded to the "new" aspencade. (side note, he can't ride anymore due to heart problems, so now, all motorcyclists are crazy and suicidal ie, if he can't ride, no one can! lol)
i sold that bike to buy a car when i went to college, thinking i'd just get another one come the following summer. 17 summers later i finally bought my yamaha 400 special. that was it. i'm hooked on the yamaha's and the specials. my 400 is every bit as much fun as i remember my old honda 750 being, and the 1 ride i took on my 1100 was heaven on earth. its being restored now, but it will be ready in the spring. planning a trip to florida, down through the mountains to georgia before heading over to the coast. i'm teaching my wife to ride the 400, she discovered its a lot more fun to be the lead dog.
i may one day buy another bike, the honda rune comes to mind, but i can't see anything ever replacing my 11 as the bike that is me.

[robywan_kenobi]

I'm really lusting after a Yamaha FJR 1300. Wow!! what a bike.

[CruisingRam]

Oh, all bikes have thier quirks and difficulties- no big one there. I have an XS 1100 I am turning into a trike soon. Great bikes. I am not brand loyal, but I like certain lines of bikes. The XS 1100 I bought was my brothers once, about 10 years ago, we both had V65s, my sabre and his magna. He bought the XS cheap and it was very nice and full dress. He got it like for 1100 bucks in perfect shape. I drove it quite a bit, really liked it.

However, there only about 3 bikes I would buy new if I wished a new bike- FJR 1300, the Yamaha Royal venture with the V4 and the EFI, full dress only though, for long distance cruiser, and my personal fave, the ST 1300.

I have rockets and streetfighters, and I ride them alot, but my "need" for a bike is really in sport touring, for me and the wife to cruise to the "lower 48"- my Sabre fills the bill there though now. About march, I will be posting lots of pics here of all the bikes. Maybe some progress pics too.