Prominent XS/XJ Builder/shop?

[XJkid]

With Merriam Cycle gone for some time now, has any other business picked up the torch for these bikes?
Also, I have seen posts where shops don't like/will not work on old bikes. Is there some kind of directory where a person can find a local shop that will work on them? I do my own wrenching, but fear getting in over my head. I just did the first/second gear fix and by sheer luck and stubbornness got the shaft back in. I can't say I could do it again because I'm not sure what I did. It just finally dropped back in after a 20 minute battle.
By the way, a big thanx to this site and its contributors for the invaluable info. There is no way I could have gotten Galaxy running and kept her running without Youse Guys!

[DiverRay]

There are a few shops that do and will work on the bikes. I've found a local shop that the owner has the knowledge to do the work correctly. I'm lucky in that I also have the knowledge, and just need a little more "free" time to get done with my '78. In your area, check with some of the indi shops. Usually if they work on V twins, they will not work on "Jap" bikes. But check "yelp", google for "old yamaha repair" near you and you may find one close by.

[xs11lover]

Ole’s classic motorcycles
13273 160th St.
Milaca Minnesota 56353
(651) 492 4019
Pat is an Xs11 guy. Favorite bike 79 Xs11 special. I’ve seen countless beautiful Xs11 restorations that he’s done. I’ve been going to him for 20 years now and always been happy.

[madmax-im]

Stunning bikes Garrett... The White one was beautiful..

[xs11lover]

They are Ole’s total rebuilds. Not mine.

[madmax-im]

They are Ole’s total rebuilds. Not mine.

OH ok..They look just like yours which is to say they're excellently executed..wow I normally prefer Red bikes..but I'd take a White bike like that..Sharp...
Yrs ago the salesman in 1983 that sold me my 1982 Maxim...he later struck out on his own. he opened a repair and sale shop for exclusively Vintage bikes..wouldnt work on new bikes..Once my XJ turned 15 ..the service dealer would no longer support it..He had an excellent ..savvy Service tech. whom later i went to when he became an independant repair shop..He too worked only older bikes...the shop was called "Be A Biker" in Cherry Hill NJ..long gone now I spose..

[xs11lover]

Yeah he did up a batch of the burnt orange tanks. Wish I’d had grabbed a few of them and I got my pearl white set from him too....but his bikes are far better than mine. Powder coated, torn down and rebuilt motors, rebuilt everything’s, ect. He used to buy my best parts back in the day. He could even clean and set up carbs for me in Minnesota and I’d just drop them in a re-sync them. He has honestly been the biggest help I’ve had over the last twenty years. I’ve tried to share him a few times now. Lol