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  • New Old guy

    Hi Everyone,

    Just wanted to introduce myself, recently acquired three XS11 project bikes ('78E, '79F and 80LG) and am happy to learn there is such a great source of info available. I'm an experienced bike restorer and used to turn wrenches for a living but haven't had any XS11 experience yet. I traded a rehabbed sport bike for these three and both me and the PO thought we got the best end of the deal. I guess that makes it a good deal, huh?

    Here are the beasts - first the one that puzzles me a little, the 80LG -


    The title says 80LG but the info I've found so far says it should a Midnight Special? Is that right? Nothing "special" looking about it that I can see, and the PO says when he acquired it, it was a completely stock bike.

    The 78E -


    The 79F -


    Parts - Including 3 160 speedo sets and a real nice round chrome set -




    Thanks for lettin' me in the door!

    Tim
    78 E, 79 F, 80 G

  • #2
    It looks like the PO did a real mix and match!! Here is a link to the VIN id chart. You can use it to determine what parts go to what bike.http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396
    Welcome to the site! I think you will find that there is a LOT of information here, and it is usable on other bikes as well. If your familiar with Japanese bikes, most of the stuff you may know. There are just a few things with the XS11 that make it different, like the crank rotates backwards compared to most inline 4's.
    The forks on both bikes that are together are from standards, and the tank on the '78 is from the '79. As you can see, it's a mix and match! Good luck, and if you CAN get the LG back as an LG, they are sweet looking machines that will go.
    Ray Matteis
    KE6NHG
    XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
    XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

    Comment


    • #3
      Welcome

      Looks like the LG is the frame by itself and the other two mostly complete bikes are Standards as the Aluminum exhaust / rear footrest hangers tell the tale.

      Anywho with all those parts you're sure to be able to complete some runners.

      GL
      1980 XS1100G "Dolly G" Full Dresser (with a coat of many colors )
      1979 XS1100SF (stock-euro mods planned)
      1984 XV700L Virago (to be hot-modded)
      1983 XJ750MK Midnight Maxim (semi-restored DD)
      1977 XS650D ( patiently awaiting resto)

      Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight.

      Comment


      • #4
        That first bike doesn't even look close to an MNS. The only thing that looks halfway right is the black fins on the jugs. Tank is wrong (standard), forks ar wrong (standard), and the seat is wrong (?????????)

        Use the vin ID chart that DiverRay provided and check the VIN on the steering head and stamped in the right side of the cases. I'll be very surprised if they match, I hope they at least match the title.
        Greg

        Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

        ― Albert Einstein

        80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

        The list changes.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by BA80 View Post
          That first bike doesn't even look close to an MNS. The only thing that looks halfway right is the black fins on the jugs. Tank is wrong (standard), forks ar wrong (standard), and the seat is wrong (?????????)

          Use the vin ID chart that DiverRay provided and check the VIN on the steering head and stamped in the right side of the cases. I'll be very surprised if they match, I hope they at least match the title.
          No, its not a MNS. The "Series and Body type" field on the title says XS1100LG but it's a G. All three are numbers matching bikes, and the titles all match up. The titles also agree with the VIN chart, the only discrepancy is that the title for the 80 (primed tank) gives the model as XS1100LG. The PO says it was a stock standard when he bought it, pretty much original except for the Kerker 4 into 1. I'll be reversing the "street tracker" look.

          I mislabeled the photos of the other two bikes. The 79 F (blue tank) came from his long time friend who owned it for a couple decades, rode it from Olympia WA to Sturgis and lost compression on #3 a few miles from home on the way back. It was originally a full OE dresser but all that stuff is long gone. It was all stock with the exception of the headlight & brackets which were installed after the fairing was removed.

          The loose engine and frame are the 78 E. The story on it is that it was a running bike which was torn down for paint and yada yada basket case. It appears to have been assembled from a variety of sources ... The engine has good compression numbers and with the exception of the big zip lock bag with all the fasteners, there appears to be a complete bike there.

          The plan is to reverse the reverse engineering on the '80, hit it with a coat of primer and ride it while the '79 undergoes restoration. Ain't much left to restore on the '78, it's more of a motorcycle starter kit at this point.

          Tim
          Last edited by 7 Lakes; 08-28-2016, 05:58 PM.
          78 E, 79 F, 80 G

          Comment


          • #6
            I guess I got confused by pics and the way the descriptions were posted.

            I lived in Port Angeles for a short time, still have some in-laws living there. There is a highway along the sound between PA and Clallam Bay that would be great riding. Forget the number. Unfortunately I had no bike when I was out there.
            Greg

            Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

            ― Albert Einstein

            80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

            The list changes.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by BA80 View Post
              There is a highway along the sound between PA and Clallam Bay that would be great riding.
              Hwy 112. Coast guard had me stationed in Port Angeles, didn't have a bike either... Would be a beautiful ride though...
              80 G

              Comment


              • #8
                That tank on the ground is a tank for a Special.

                I also saw a set of round gauges...

                MNS bikes were black w/ gold trim and wheels.
                Nice looking bikes.

                The fuel range on a Special is it's only limitation... around 100 miles average.

                But a lot of guys tour on them, and they say they're ready to stop and get off after 100 miles anyway...

                Right Greg?

                What kind of 4to1 exhaust is that on that bobber? Hard to tell, is that slip on a Supertrap or something else?
                Those are waaayy cool!
                Last edited by XJOK2PLAY; 08-28-2016, 09:07 PM.
                '82 XJ1100J Maxim (has been sold.)

                '79 F "Time Machine"... oh yeah, Baby.... (Sold back to Maximan)

                2011 Kaw Concours 14 ABS

                In the warden's words from Cool Hand Luke;
                "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by werdna80 View Post
                  Hwy 112. Coast guard had me stationed in Port Angeles, didn't have a bike either... Would be a beautiful ride though...
                  Just gotta watch out for the crazy logging truck drivers.
                  Greg

                  Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

                  ― Albert Einstein

                  80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

                  The list changes.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by XJOK2PLAY View Post
                    But a lot of guys tour on them, and they say they're ready to stop and get off after 100 miles anyway...

                    Right Greg?
                    sometimes 100 miles is too long for my tender posterior.
                    Greg

                    Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

                    ― Albert Einstein

                    80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

                    The list changes.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by BA80 View Post
                      sometimes 100 miles is too long for my tender posterior.
                      Normally, 100 miles is way too early for me to wanna stop, but coming back from Colorado in the 100 degree Kansas heat...
                      I was MORE than glad to stop every 100 miles... for a drink of water!
                      That was rough!
                      '82 XJ1100J Maxim (has been sold.)

                      '79 F "Time Machine"... oh yeah, Baby.... (Sold back to Maximan)

                      2011 Kaw Concours 14 ABS

                      In the warden's words from Cool Hand Luke;
                      "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by XJOK2PLAY View Post
                        That tank on the ground is a tank for a Special.

                        I also saw a set of round gauges...

                        MNS bikes were black w/ gold trim and wheels.
                        Nice looking bikes.

                        The fuel range on a Special is it's only limitation... around 100 miles average.

                        But a lot of guys tour on them, and they say they're ready to stop and get off after 100 miles anyway...

                        Right Greg?

                        What kind of 4to1 exhaust is that on that bobber? Hard to tell, is that slip on a Supertrap or something else?
                        Those are waaayy cool!
                        Yes, its a Supertrapp system, even tho I called it a Kerker in an earlier post. (Old brain fart) Full stainless, sounds awesome. I keep eyeing it, wondering what it would look like polished ... Also in the pile o' motorcycle there is a Special tank and forks and a set of round gauges, the only Special parts I've found. The gauges are in the process of being re-wired to go onto the '80, I'm not that thrilled with the "no speedo" approach to riding. I'm kinda old-fashioned I guess, I like gauges, indicators, turn signals, etc.

                        Tim
                        78 E, 79 F, 80 G

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by 7 Lakes View Post
                          Yes, its a Supertrapp system, even tho I called it a Kerker in an earlier post. (Old brain fart) Full stainless, sounds awesome. I keep eyeing it, wondering what it would look like polished ... Also in the pile o' motorcycle there is a Special tank and forks and a set of round gauges, the only Special parts I've found. The gauges are in the process of being re-wired to go onto the '80, I'm not that thrilled with the "no speedo" approach to riding. I'm kinda old-fashioned I guess, I like gauges, indicators, turn signals, etc.

                          Tim
                          +1 on guages and warning lights!

                          Supertrapps are cool! Polish it up, and cherish it!
                          They're hard to come by, these days.

                          Cool how you can change the sound and the back pressure by adding or subtracting discs.

                          Is the rest of the exhaust a Kerker 4to1? If it's in good shape, hang on to it, too!
                          Good exhaust, (especially any stock systems,) are the rarest parts these days.
                          Unobtainium.

                          Congrats on the 11's. Post more on your progress when you can!
                          We love pics here...
                          Bob
                          '82 XJ1100J Maxim (has been sold.)

                          '79 F "Time Machine"... oh yeah, Baby.... (Sold back to Maximan)

                          2011 Kaw Concours 14 ABS

                          In the warden's words from Cool Hand Luke;
                          "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by XJOK2PLAY View Post
                            +1 on guages and warning lights!

                            Supertrapps are cool! Polish it up, and cherish it!
                            They're hard to come by, these days.

                            Cool how you can change the sound and the back pressure by adding or subtracting discs.

                            Is the rest of the exhaust a Kerker 4to1? If it's in good shape, hang on to it, too!
                            Good exhaust, (especially any stock systems,) are the rarest parts these days.
                            Unobtainium.

                            Congrats on the 11's. Post more on your progress when you can!
                            We love pics here...
                            Bob
                            Yep, the exhaust was a big plus on the bike for me! I know how hard it is to come up with good replacement systems, having sought them out for other vintage bikes in the past.

                            No, I don't have a Kerker system, I just mistakenly called the Supertrapp a Kerker in an earlier post. There is, however, a complete Special turnout system in the pile of parts that I'm glad to have.

                            I'll post photos when I have something to show!

                            Tim
                            Last edited by 7 Lakes; 08-30-2016, 01:34 PM.
                            78 E, 79 F, 80 G

                            Comment

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