Traded a Mossberg 590 for a 1979 yamaha Xs 1100 and new to forum

[sparkfly88]

Hello everyone!

So a little back story on myself..and such,

I've been looking for a bike for quite some time.. Reason being, my buddy from high school has done 3 tours, and had his contract extended. When he gets back, at some point he wants to take a road trip on bikes to his hometown in Ohio. He's been riding since he was 16.
I've been riding mopeds, dirt bikes, quads, whatever. But never a street bike.

Well, earlier this week we found a post on craigslist.. (we talk through Facebook)
It was a 1979 Xs 1100 project for 500$ or trade for something that goes boom.

Being I have an ample supply of things that go boom (another hobby, I collect and restore military antique weapons) , I contacted him and we worked out a trade in person for my shotgun, for his bike.

So, now I own yet another project. But, at least it runs.
I have a foreman 400 quad taken apart that I bought not running. Lol.
I'm quite mechanical..

The seatpan is basically rusted in half...
The intake manifolds are dry rotted...
Someone attempted welding extra grab handles for the passenger...
All the hoses are dry,
The tank has surface rust.
The exhaust Is and aftermarket 4-1 system with megaphone, that had its guts removed... So, no muffler.. Just a megaphone, literally.

BUT

It runs(it ran on stale gas.. Can't wait to see it run normally)

it's full of oil, and I'm ambitious.

Let's get this party started.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqWF...e_gdata_player

[jwhughes3]

Welcome.

Sounds like a deal. Get some filters on it or preferably an airbox and a muffler and you are set.

John

[sparkfly88]

It came with plastics. Front fairing with a cracked shield. Side plastics. And the airbox.

Just didn't have them on. It's being taken apart more and more.

[MaximPhil]

Welcome Sparkfly,
There was a post just a while back about some yard in your part of Florida with lots of XS parts bikes. Thanks for explaining what a Mossberg590 is as it was not a motorcycle I had heard of

Phil

[jetmechmarty]

Yee ha! You have until the end of September to get it mechanically sound. We'll see you at XS Southeast in NC.

Do yourself a favor and find an airbox. I might even have one if I go digging. These carburetors like to draw from still air. It makes tuning far easier than with pods. If you need exhaust, one of the forum members put SUPERTRAPP automotive mufflers on his MAC headpipes.
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26440&page=4

Your bike shares brakes with the XS650. The XS650 has a huge aftermarket, so that helps. Micheal "Mercury" Morse is a big help there. www.vintagebrake.com Go through the brakes before you ride it.

[crazy steve]

First, welcome!

Hey, you're starting with a running bike which is more than many here can say. Yep, pick up an airbox, and do something with the exhaust and you'll be amazed at how much power you'll have. Do be aware that these have more power than they do handling/braking, so don't get yourself into trouble!

The seat pan will be a problem, as rotted pans are a common problem; start watching here and eBay for a replacement. You need a '78-79 standard seat pan as that's one item that doesn't interchange between models. All the rest is mostly elbow grease, and everything you need to know can be found here!

[sparkfly88]

I won bidding this morning on a 1980 standard seat. I saw on the forums here that that will overlap with my little side plastics, which I don't care much about anyway.

L: http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...d=221205149441

Even if it's wrong, the price I won it for can't be beat. Lol.

[crazy steve]

The problem (besides the interference with the sidecovers)) with that '80 seat is it won't cover your ignition box which is mounted on the rear fender under the tailcone. If you can pick up a '80-81 standard inner plastic fender and rear fender, you could relocate the box to under the seat. Or as an alternative if your welding skills are up to it, you could cut the rear off the early pan and graft it onto the later pan to retain the tailcone. That part rarely rusts out.

I believe you can trim the sides of the pan to fix the interference with the sidecovers.

[sparkfly88]

I have some welding skills.... Not the best. But I can attach metal to metal at least. Lol.

I'd most likely move the ignition box under it for temporary.

[crazy steve]

I was also going to mention that the 'dry rotted' intake boots are very common, but don't be in a hurry to replace them. Most times the cracks don't go all the way through and don't hurt anything, and getting some 'plastidip' tool handle coating can renew them for a lot less money....

[sparkfly88]

That's pretty ingenious.

Thanks for everyone's help so far. I love forums, expecially very active forums.

Wasn't expecting this many replies this fast.

[crazy steve]

I have some welding skills.... Not the best. But I can attach metal to metal at least. Lol.

I'd most likely move the ignition box under it for temporary.

If you know somebody with a MIG welder, the seat mod isn't that big a deal. The biggest pain will be getting the cuts to match and I'd probably try for at least a partial overlap for strength.

[Cuda 69]

welcome aboard,sounds like your well on your way to a healthy running XS.

[haywardguy929]

Welcome to the site, you definitely are in the right place to get your new bike up and running. I'm not much help but these guys are are incredibly helpful.
Good luck, I know you will enjoy the bike.

[sparkfly88]

So, I have the complete and utter fascination with the Vetter full fairing.

How hard is it to aquire one?