81 xs1100

[wjw11teen]

hello fellas

new to this site and am glad to be here

just picked up an81 xs1100 not sure if its a special or standard

it has 17,780 miles and incredibly clean chrome and a fresh paint job

near as i can tell its all stock..but i plan a few slight changes to make it my own

i got it for 1250 and after a little research feel like it was a pretty good deal


cant ride it yet as i live in south dakota and its incredibly cold right now

i've been doing a bunch of reading on this site already and already appreciate the level of support available here

illpost some pics soon as i figure out how

thanks

[rdmcguy]

special or standard

Welcome to the site.
Yes you will find many many knowledgable members here.
You can determine what bike you have by serial #or whether the front wheel is ahead of the forks (leading link)versus directly under...,special rear tire is 16 inch standard is 17 inch ...sleeker gas tank versus humpback looking one.
there are other ways also but that should help you figure it out.
Joe

[Schming]

Welcome !!!

You can upload your pics to a site like photobucket and copy the image code then paste it in your post.

Sounds like you scored a winner.

At the top of the page click on XS11 info to find out what you really have.

[Schming]

Welcome !!!

Here's a thread that might help: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...identification

[Prisoner6]

WELCOME to the forums, Bill!

Yes, the level of support here is phenomenal! The collective knowledge of these XSives is amazing -

They will no doubt be able to answer any question or help with any problem you may have - Enjoy!

Can't wait to see pics - we all love pics!

[Tat2demon]

cant ride it yet as i live in south dakota and its incredibly cold right now
thanks

Woo hoo! Another SD member! That makes a grand total of 3 of us lol. Id be more than happy to zip over to Garretson any time you need help. If you need to do anything and are short on tools I think I have everything needed. Going to shoot you a message with my number so you can call if ya need a hand. When it warms up a bit youre more than welcome to bring it over and we can make sure the carbs are synched and check the normal stuff like valve shims and whatnot.

[MaximPhil]

Hiwjw11teen
This is what a 81H looks like. Original tank had white knee area and not original saddle either. hey she is 33 this year and mostly still together Important that you identify what you have as advice on this site can be VERY specific by year even though they look so similar.
You will not be the first if you have a "FrankenBike" ie made up from different models and years. we love them all.
Phil

[Tat2demon]

Ah ha! Just ralized you bought the XS in Le Mars. I had put a link to it here the day it was listed on Craigs. Great buy!!

http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/mcy/4345773255.html

[Prisoner6]

Well, Bill -

It looks like you have an '81 Special (XS1100SH). Your VIN should start with 4R0 ... looks really nice -

I'm liking that blue paint, too!

[Aches n Pains]

Welcome, Bill. We need more pictures. Everyone here LOVES motorcycle porn.

[wjw11teen]

81 xs

WINNER WINNER!!!

thats the one i bought!!!

i still haventr figured out how to take pics with the wifes smart phone and load them in here...i also started taking stuff apart last night..i cant help my self...

discovered it needs all new suspension front and back..ordered heavy front springs..cause im a plus size guy...also new fork seals...confused about the schrader valves?? are the forks air forks or are they to bleed off air like on an mx bike

is it possible to rebuild the rear shocks?? couldnt find rebuild kits on ebay

other than that it needs a good tune up.although it fires right up.. i plan to take it all pretty much apart to service all the bearings and moving parts

new tires..etc.. thankfully tat2demon lives close by and offered support and expertise while my kid and i get this beast ready for some sun and fun..
that will be very much appreciated...

TAT2..might have forgot totell you this but the shop has A/C too...and a fridge that keeps beers perfectly cold..so if its raining or to hot to ride..
it makes a good place to hang out and plot and plan

ill call ya this weekend if thats cool

[Tat2demon]

..ordered heavy front springs..

is it possible to rebuild the rear shocks?? couldnt find rebuild kits on ebay

TAT2..might have forgot totell you this but the shop has A/C too...and a fridge that keeps beers perfectly cold..so if its raining or to hot to ride..
it makes a good place to hang out and plot and plan

ill call ya this weekend if thats cool

Screw hanging out, Im moving in!!

Did you go with progressive springs for the front? As for the rears, I havent heard of anyone rebuilding them. I would just ditch em and go with progressives there too.

Call any time you want. Was actually thinking about riding out there on Sunday if you were working on it.

[Tat2demon]

It finally warmed up enough on Sunday that I was able to ride over to Bills place and check out his special.

I was pretty impressed with it. Everything is there and in great shape. The PO took very good care of this bike and you can tell it was always stored inside. The seat looks dang near brand new, the factory exhaust has one little crack in the heat shield that covers the muffler join that was welded but other than that I didnt notice a single ding in chrome.

We're going to get together one of these weekends again and hit up his carbs and do the valve shims.

All in all, he got a hell of a bike. I should have grabbed some good pics while I was there.

[graybird78]

congrats on your purchase. seen that bike on craigslist. looked to be in great shape. liked the color too. carefull when you get it running right,these bikes can surprize with the torque and power the have. there are 6 of us excessives here in council bluffs.

[graybird78]

congrats on your purchase. seen that bike on craigslist. looked to be in great shape. liked the color too. carefull when you get it running right,these bikes can surprize with the torque and power the have. there are 6 of us excessives here in council bluffs.