Hi everyone

[Protochicken]

Hello everyone. I just joined, and wanted to say hi. During the last days of spring, I found a 1980 XS11 and had to jump on it. Long story short, it was almost exactly what I was looking for. I loved the concept and story behind the 1100, and for $1500 it seemed like a good buy even with the funky paint job. The bike seemed to run well and no issues popped up on the test drive, so I bought it. Imagine my surprise when, out on a busy highway at night, it started to lose power and stall! I got the bike home by running at half choke and riding gently. After some consultation of the almighty Google, I stumbled across this:

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543

As it turned out, 3 of the 4 wires inside were bad. I would have never known to check for broken wires. The frustration I would have gone through trying to figure out the problem would have been a pretty serious blow to the excitement of owning a new toy. I am very grateful that this place was here to help me solve my problem! I would post a picture but I cannot seem to find a way to load a picture from my computer, and I don't have a place to host the file. Some other time, I guess.

Anyways, I just wanted to pop in and say hello, and thanks to the poster that took the time to step by step outline the fix for this problem.

[Prisoner6]

Hey, Jeff -

Welcome to the forums! If you want to know everything there is to know about your XS, this is the place to be ... the people here are more than willing to help and capable of answering virtually any question about our great XS's. Enjoy!

[DGXSER]

Nice job figuring it out and making the repair! I still recall when I joined and knew almost nothing about the XS11 or motorcycle repair. It is only through years of learning form folks on here, and doing the work myself that I know what I know today.

After a few short years of paying attention around here, I buy and revive the used and abused ones, tear them down to the frame and the engine in it, and put them back together in good reliable running condition. So, yes, it is amazingly great place. And it is astounding how many knowledgeable folks are here, and so incredibly willing to help.

[MarkD]

Welcome, PChicken. You maybe might consider opening a photobucket account, it's pretty easy. Maybe check out FUNFAN73 on that page, that's my 79F. The guys on this forum are incredibly knowledgeable, and a great source of help in all matters XS. Enjoy, and ride safely!

[Protochicken]

Kind of a funny paint scheme that the PO had on it. I think I will put it back to black, and polish the chrome. I will post a few more when the weather dries up a bit.

[Prisoner6]

Fenders

Hey Jeff,

Nice bike!

Does that include restoring the fenders to all their chrome "glory"?

[natemoen]

Other than the paint it looks like a nice clean well cared for bike!

[madmax-im]

thats pretty cool bike...its a XS1100SH or Special....yeah alot of custom paint looks great to the person who had it done not so much for others though...but you have a pretty bike and it doesnt look like you need much...nice find...welcome to ch11

[crazy steve]

Pretty clean example..... and I've seen much worse paintjobs on these....

Welcome!

[Crusty Snippets]

Paint

Hi.
I like the paint job, reminds me of the sixties.
I do not like those high rise bars. But that's just me.

Unkle Crusty

[jetmechmarty]

Your bike looks great! All that shiny chrome and polished aluminum really stand out.

[Protochicken]

I think it's a special. I will get some detailed photos at some point and maybe someone can identify it for me haha. The paint job wasn't done terribly; probably 7/10. It is just a little ostentatious for my taste. No plans on the fenders yet, but I suspect the chrome is damaged by sanding and will have to be painted. There are no dents or major scrape marks, so I suspect it has either never been spilled over, or was lovingly repaired. Either way, I count it as a good sign. Transmission seems alright, although I am still trying to figure out how I am going to check it out since i have a small garage and it is full of toys, with little room left to work. All told, $1500 seems like a really good price. Now all i need is spring time lol

[madmax-im]

Round tank and slotted rotors are indicative of the Special... axle is mounted in front of the forks as well... there are other subtleties...

[motoman]

I think it's a special. I will get some detailed photos at some point and maybe someone can identify it for me haha. The paint job wasn't done terribly; probably 7/10. It is just a little ostentatious for my taste. No plans on the fenders yet, but I suspect the chrome is damaged by sanding and will have to be painted. There are no dents or major scrape marks, so I suspect it has either never been spilled over, or was lovingly repaired. Either way, I count it as a good sign. Transmission seems alright, although I am still trying to figure out how I am going to check it out since i have a small garage and it is full of toys, with little room left to work. All told, $1500 seems like a really good price. Now all i need is spring time lol

Looks like a scoot that needs ridden, not worked on. That ougha' solve the 'room' problem. Nuttin' to check out on the tranny if it shifts like a Russian tractor and stays in every gear under full throttle.

[jetmechmarty]

Best educated guess says your bike is a XS1100SG. That makes it a 1980 model. Possibly it's a 1981 XS1100SH, but you need to show us the other side. What I see says it's the 1980 model.