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XS Folks,
Well I said I had the bug for the XS11 and I do! I am very much like a kid with a new toy. I have been searching almost constantly for several weeks for one to pop-up on Craigslist. There was one much nicer than this (and cheaper), that had popped up just one day before XSSE and I didn’t have the time to go get it. It disappeared in one day.
There are SEVERAL people in the Atlanta region hunting for and snatching up the XS11’s (and other old classics) within days (or even hours) of them being posted. There are not less than four different guys posting “WTB XS1100” ads on Georgia craigslists. I resigned myself that I was just too slow and didn’t have the free time available to compete with them. I’d have to look further out…… When you do that, you also get the leftovers and the scraps…..
Yesterday, the wife and I traveled to North Carolina to pick-up Duck #3. We traveled a heck of a distance (nearly into Virginia) to purchase this 1980 SG. Honestly, as we all know, pictures are often deceiving. It didn’t look THAT bad from 400 miles away. HERE IT IS....
Even though it does have SEVERAL issues, which you folks will easily pick-up on, it’s actually in GENERALLY better condition that either of the previous duck purchases (Ugly Duck & DEAD Duck). For starters….this one started when I went to get it! The brakes worked and I was able to take it for a short spin around a farmer’s field (more on that in a minute). That is something I couldn’t do with either of the previous ducks. This duck has some real issues with wiring harness “HACKERY” and a non original speedo but the lights, signals, and most other items work which is also an improvement. As usual…. I get no seat! The one shown in the Craigslist ad was some sort of king/queen not designed for or able to be attached to an XS11, it got tossed.
Now….I’m looking for YOUR input!
I’ve never been one of those guys that named his “Toys” as I thought it was kinda silly. I have no reference "name" for any of my hot rods. However, with my first XS11 I referred to it as the “UGLY DUCKLING”. After months and months of work I started dropping the “UGLY” off the phrase in my posts and it kinda stuck. It’s also green like a Mallard too. When I attended XSSE and met so many of the good folks from this board several people introduced me as “The Duck Owner” or asked “Are you the guy with the Duck”. I hadn’t thought more than a handful of people had paid much attention to that rebuild and some of those were not people from the SE region. I was surprised at XSSE.
A few weeks ago I purchased XS11 #2 and it was clear that was a DEAD DUCK. It was intended (and probably still is) to be a parts donor. DEAD DUCK seems to fit well!
In keeping with the theme and since I have become fond of the naming convention, I need to find something to refer to this thing as! It’s also an Ugly Duck but that’s been taken and if I have my way it won’t be ugly for long! A good friend on the board suggested “Wild Duck” and there is a book of the title as well, but I’ve never read it. The bride and I also thought of “Carolina Duck” or “Mayberry Duck” as this “Duck” was purchased in Mount Airy (aka. Mayberry), North Carolina. What do you folks think??? I'm very open to suggestions.
The Overall Plan – Undetermined….
My original plan was to make this machine into a better equipped overnighter/long hauler than THE DUCK. Vetter Fairing, Hard bags, etc. to be used for trips that are greater in length than would be comfortable for The Duck with it’s small windscreen and soft bags. I could also invest in some suspension upgrades for The Duck making it more nimble for use on The Dragon and other twisty roads!
However, my son is starting to get interested in riding with us and he would prefer another copy of The Duck. Honestly, he likes the cut-up style and shorter bars of the Dead Duck making it slimly possible the Dead one might come back to life some day? One of my older sons, Derek, has also expressed an interest joining along... Seems another Stockish SG would be best?
The garage is getting a little crowded with XS11’s!!!!!This is how I left it yesterday....
As a result of my recent purchases, I was obligated to take Nancy to the beach as she had requested. Currently, I’m in Panama City typing from our hotel…..Hope I don’t get caught! Promised NO YAMAHA talk until Monday!!!! I do believe the bank account is also closed for a few weeks!
Catch ya’ll later…
KURT
Well I said I had the bug for the XS11 and I do! I am very much like a kid with a new toy. I have been searching almost constantly for several weeks for one to pop-up on Craigslist. There was one much nicer than this (and cheaper), that had popped up just one day before XSSE and I didn’t have the time to go get it. It disappeared in one day.
There are SEVERAL people in the Atlanta region hunting for and snatching up the XS11’s (and other old classics) within days (or even hours) of them being posted. There are not less than four different guys posting “WTB XS1100” ads on Georgia craigslists. I resigned myself that I was just too slow and didn’t have the free time available to compete with them. I’d have to look further out…… When you do that, you also get the leftovers and the scraps…..
Yesterday, the wife and I traveled to North Carolina to pick-up Duck #3. We traveled a heck of a distance (nearly into Virginia) to purchase this 1980 SG. Honestly, as we all know, pictures are often deceiving. It didn’t look THAT bad from 400 miles away. HERE IT IS....
Even though it does have SEVERAL issues, which you folks will easily pick-up on, it’s actually in GENERALLY better condition that either of the previous duck purchases (Ugly Duck & DEAD Duck). For starters….this one started when I went to get it! The brakes worked and I was able to take it for a short spin around a farmer’s field (more on that in a minute). That is something I couldn’t do with either of the previous ducks. This duck has some real issues with wiring harness “HACKERY” and a non original speedo but the lights, signals, and most other items work which is also an improvement. As usual…. I get no seat! The one shown in the Craigslist ad was some sort of king/queen not designed for or able to be attached to an XS11, it got tossed.
Now….I’m looking for YOUR input!
I’ve never been one of those guys that named his “Toys” as I thought it was kinda silly. I have no reference "name" for any of my hot rods. However, with my first XS11 I referred to it as the “UGLY DUCKLING”. After months and months of work I started dropping the “UGLY” off the phrase in my posts and it kinda stuck. It’s also green like a Mallard too. When I attended XSSE and met so many of the good folks from this board several people introduced me as “The Duck Owner” or asked “Are you the guy with the Duck”. I hadn’t thought more than a handful of people had paid much attention to that rebuild and some of those were not people from the SE region. I was surprised at XSSE.
A few weeks ago I purchased XS11 #2 and it was clear that was a DEAD DUCK. It was intended (and probably still is) to be a parts donor. DEAD DUCK seems to fit well!
In keeping with the theme and since I have become fond of the naming convention, I need to find something to refer to this thing as! It’s also an Ugly Duck but that’s been taken and if I have my way it won’t be ugly for long! A good friend on the board suggested “Wild Duck” and there is a book of the title as well, but I’ve never read it. The bride and I also thought of “Carolina Duck” or “Mayberry Duck” as this “Duck” was purchased in Mount Airy (aka. Mayberry), North Carolina. What do you folks think??? I'm very open to suggestions.
The Overall Plan – Undetermined….
My original plan was to make this machine into a better equipped overnighter/long hauler than THE DUCK. Vetter Fairing, Hard bags, etc. to be used for trips that are greater in length than would be comfortable for The Duck with it’s small windscreen and soft bags. I could also invest in some suspension upgrades for The Duck making it more nimble for use on The Dragon and other twisty roads!
However, my son is starting to get interested in riding with us and he would prefer another copy of The Duck. Honestly, he likes the cut-up style and shorter bars of the Dead Duck making it slimly possible the Dead one might come back to life some day? One of my older sons, Derek, has also expressed an interest joining along... Seems another Stockish SG would be best?
The garage is getting a little crowded with XS11’s!!!!!This is how I left it yesterday....
As a result of my recent purchases, I was obligated to take Nancy to the beach as she had requested. Currently, I’m in Panama City typing from our hotel…..Hope I don’t get caught! Promised NO YAMAHA talk until Monday!!!! I do believe the bank account is also closed for a few weeks!
Catch ya’ll later…
KURT
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