300 mile stored barn find xs1100 in S.Diego

[3Ddesignsxs11]

Thanks guys for all the advice, tips and the links!
mikesxs.net is great.

[madmax-im]

Hey guys, I am the one who got the bike.

The bike is a 78. It was sold 9/14/78 according to the original registration documents. I guess it mus be a 79 model considering it was sold in September.

It is basically a brand new old bike. It needs a bit of cleaning up, but it is in amazingly good condition. Even the tires have no cracks on them, and the rotors are hardly scratched. I will post more photos after I had a chance to clean it up (might take some time).

Considering its condition, I do want to keep it all stock, just make sure it's 100% operational. Change all fluids, and only replace what I must with old new stock parts.

In the meantime I welcome everybody's comments and recommendations.

Welcome to CH11...I cant tell you how refreshing it is to see someone who doesnt want to chop it or bob it...ad nauseum

[donebysunday]

If you don't mind me asking ? What is your experience with motorcycles ? I ask only that we can advise you as to your handling of this powerhouse and it's limitations combined with your experience. I love the bike and as I recently crashed, (lucky to be here) and I've had a new 79SF XS11 (been riding 2 wheels with engine since 7, = 54 years on 2 wheels) want you to know what your dealing with, please !

Thanks guys for all the advice, tips and the links!
mikesxs.net is great.

[IanDMacDonald]

Growing-up on motorcycles, I was not exactly blown-away by the handling of the bike, or the seat of the pants experience I was hoping for. A buddy of mine who rode a little XS400 shared the same opinion, and expected it to be much quicker. So, even for a novice rider, I don't think the bike takes much skills to ride. One ride is enough to figure-out that the bike is fast, but definitely not one for the corners.

[MaximPhil]

Hi 3D
Welcome to XS11 land. Well done on your recent purchase.
To reinforce what others have already said. PLEASE replace the tires before riding it.
Keep in mind that although it appears to have virtually no miles of use everything is OLD.
These bikes could out run their brakes when new so you will want to get them working as well as possible.
Phil

[MPittma100]

+1

Hi 3D
Welcome to XS11 land. Well done on your recent purchase.
To reinforce what others have already said. PLEASE replace the tires before riding it.
Keep in mind that although it appears to have virtually no miles of use everything is OLD.
These bikes could out run their brakes when new so you will want to get them working as well as possible.
Phil

Agree totally with you Phil. Tires should be considered worn out (beyond safe use) after a certain number of years regardless of tread wear - especially on a motorcycle. I get nervous of any tire over 5 years old.

Once you have seen what "old" brake fluid looks like in these bikes, you will not hesitate to do something about the brakes. A very good idea is to rebuild both m/c, front and rear calipers, and replace brakes lines/hoses.

Mike

[Prisoner6]

WELCOME, Zsolt!

You are in the right place if you intend to return your new purchase to great running condition!

Lots of wonderful advice so far ... Let me add my voice to those advising you to thoroughly go through every part of your brakes.

This should be one of, if not the first, things you do ...

Second ... no ifs, ands, or buts, you absolutely must replace those tires ... PERIOD ... no matter how the current ones appear.

As for the middle gear/final drive oil, you should definitely use 75W-140 synthetic...

Some have successfully used Royal Purple, but I prefer to use Redline oil ...

And as TC stated, the carb boots may show some cracking on the outside, but more often than not, they are just fine when you look inside.

If you feel compelled to buy new boots, you can get them here:

XS1100 Intake Carb Holders

Congratulations on your new acquisition, and once you get your XS squared away, I know you will love it!

[3Ddesignsxs11]

I am blown away by all your responses and the warm welcome. Thanks so much for all your tips and advice again.

I am a fairly experienced rider. I currently ride a 2003 Triumph Tiger which I owned for about 8 years. Before that I had a Virago which I really didn't like o be honest. I have also ridden Harleys. Once I rode across the country from Sturgis to the Alberta border on a friend's Screaming Eagle Roadking. My first bike was a 2 stroke 2 cylinder Jawa 350, type 634 (a Czech bike for those of you who don't know the brand).

My first experience with the XS11 was probably about 10 years ago. I went to test drive one a truck driver was selling. He used to haul it around on his eighteen wheeler where ever he went so he'd have local transportation. That bike had very low miles as well, but I ended up buying a Virago instead. In hindsight (and we know hindsight is 20/20) I should have bought the XS.

BTW, I am located in San Diego.

[BA80]

Welcome to the board 3Ddesigns. As was stated, check the date codes on those tires. If they are as old as the bike, actually if they are more than 3 or so years old GET RID OF THEM!!!!!

If you have a blowout in a car it's not so bad because there are 3 more to hold it on the road until you get it stopped. If you lose a tire on a bike you are just along for the ride (or the crash). Speaking from experience, you DON'T ever want to experience that.

There are a few good XSers out there in Can'taffordya that could help you if you have issues you can't resolve with that beauty. look HERE for those in your area. If they haven't posted in a while they probably haven't been active though.

I was looking at your profile and I gotta ask, what nationality is the name Zsolt? Greek?

[jetmechmarty]

BTW, while you're thinking about brakes, the service manual recommended replacing the brake lines every four years. You may wish to take that into consideration.

As far as the handling of this machine goes, there is room for improvement or transformation. Cartridge emulators are available with straight rate springs and many have opted for dual rate springs. Read about it here: Vintage Ride, Modern Shocks My bike is updated with emulators and straight rate springs. To say I'm happy with it is an understatement.

[IanDMacDonald]

Geeze Marty, at those prices, it could be another XS in the stable, and justification to be content with the suspension.

[jetmechmarty]

Geeze Marty, at those prices, it could be another XS in the stable, and justification to be content with the suspension.

It can be done for as little as $300, and still have the good stuff. For me it means being content with the motorcycle or not. I believe I would be done with it were it not for the upgrade. I did the work myself and while it was a bit more aggravating than it should have been, I learned from the process and saved a chunk of money. It is now a canyon carver and I don't have to look at cupping in my front tires. It gives the bike new life!

[jetmechmarty]

I spoke to Matt Wiley about shocks. He's the guy mentioned in the article. I told him I wasn't going to put $1200.00 shocks on a $1500.00 motorcycle. He recommended I look to YSS. Currently, I'm running Progressive 412 with 170/200 springs. They're OK, but I'm less than thrilled. They came in under $400.

[donebysunday]

I'm happy to hear you have the experience, but have you cranked the throttle on an XS11 that's running right, to the point it wants to through you off ? Even if you wanted to stop it would be like tossing and anchor off the back of your boat doing 30 knots ? Just want you safe !!!!! Be afraid very afraid. That way you will meld into the bike and later become one with it's awesome power and dang near brake less. Just took my new to me 79SF all new brakes for a ride, carefully as the brakes are just starting to bite. Couple more runs ? Sintered pads.

I am blown away by all your responses and the warm welcome. Thanks so much for all your tips and advice again.

I am a fairly experienced rider. I currently ride a 2003 Triumph Tiger which I owned for about 8 years. Before that I had a Virago which I really didn't like o be honest. I have also ridden Harleys. Once I rode across the country from Sturgis to the Alberta border on a friend's Screaming Eagle Roadking. My first bike was a 2 stroke 2 cylinder Jawa 350, type 634 (a Czech bike for those of you who don't know the brand).

My first experience with the XS11 was probably about 10 years ago. I went to test drive one a truck driver was selling. He used to haul it around on his eighteen wheeler where ever he went so he'd have local transportation. That bike had very low miles as well, but I ended up buying a Virago instead. In hindsight (and we know hindsight is 20/20) I should have bought the XS.

BTW, I am located in San Diego.

[IanDMacDonald]

. . . but have you cranked the throttle on an XS11 that's running right, to the point it wants to through you off ?

Lol, are we talking about the XS11, or that new Kawasaki Ninja . . .