New Owner 79 XS1100SF Special

[StoneAgeVulture]

Hey All, just thought I'd pop in and say hi, just became an owner of a 1979 XS1100SF, it was my Father In Laws but a couple years ago he passed away so I inherited it. It hasn't been ran or ridden in some time but it's fairly clean, I've already created a list of parts I need to get it right again so I will be trolling the for sale section quite a bit.
A little about me, I live in Southeast WI, am a Husband and Father of 2, I've been a VW master tech for the better part of a decade. I've fixed up/cleaned up many cars, this will be the first bike though, so I might seem a little green when it comes with certain things (I apologize up front for that), but I really look forward to this new venture. See ya around!

[crazy steve]

Welcome!

[jwhughes3]

Welcome!

Hey, if I can do it...you can too.

John

[haywardguy929]

Ooooh noooo not another Cheesehead . Welcome aboard you came to the right place, these guys are the best hands down.

[donebysunday]

Hey All, just thought I'd pop in and say hi, just became an owner of a 1979 XS1100SF, it was my Father In Laws but a couple years ago he passed away so I inherited it. It hasn't been ran or ridden in some time but it's fairly clean, I've already created a list of parts I need to get it right again so I will be trolling the for sale section quite a bit.
A little about me, I live in Southeast WI, am a Husband and Father of 2, I've been a VW master tech for the better part of a decade. I've fixed up/cleaned up many cars, this will be the first bike though, so I might seem a little green when it comes with certain things (I apologize up front for that), but I really look forward to this new venture. See ya around!

StoneAgeVulture,

You are welcome and not alone, I'm in Milwaukee and about 6 months ago picked up an 81 XS1100LH. It came from Mich., and very well neglected. I now have it able to ride but have only done short trips.
I was given the chance to own a new 79 XS1100SF by a very nice man at Port Wasington Yamaha that I owned for 56K. Then got into other bikes and then went back to XS650s, just sold my last one out of 56 in the last 15 years.
Where about are you ?

Don };~)

[natemoen]

Welcome!

I too am up in Milwaukee. If you are ever around give a shout.

And don't be afraid to ask questions.

[DGXSER]

Welcome to the Madness of XS11 ownership!! It is a disease and you lost your immunity now.

As a shadetree car mech of 30 yrs, I can say working on these bikes is actually MUCH easier in a lot of ways. But like anything, there are certain aspects that are tricky till you know the little secrets. And there are lots of folks here with more knowledge than anywhere else on the planet about these bikes, all looking forward to the opportunity to share that knowledge. So by all means, if you run into something that seems stuck or looks odd, by all means ask questions here. It still amazes me how quickly answers are given here.

Also, get the manual. Member Catatonic Bug has a webpage HERE where he host the manuals for download.

If you are as new to riding as you are to bikes and the XS11, please by all means take the MSF Basic Riders course. IT has a lot of good information and teaches great skills even for an established rider.

Most of all Good Luck on your resurrection of the sleeping beast!!!

[StoneAgeVulture]

Thanks for the warm welcome!
-donebysunday- I live on the northeast side of Kenosha
-DGXSER- The first thing I did was download that manual from CatatonicBug, I love any and all info, I also checked out most of the TechTips already as well, and yes, I am quite "green" when it comes to motorcycles both riding and wrenching, and plan on going to MSF basic riders coarse that is held at a tech college near my house, I also live really close to a school so I will be using that parking lot quite a bit to learn.