how old is everyone?

[soccer4m]

good writing to read

didnt want to hijack the thread but just got done reading Ranger xs1100 article on life in the army and vietnam,,,,a good, well written, easy to read autobiography of his time there in the 60's, as a lot of us were around then to understand .....anyway, read it, takes about half and hour,,,thanks for the writing
https://rucksackgrunt.wordpress.com/

[DaveT]

I’m 78. I was a Yamaha dealer for many years and was at the factory in ‘77 when the first XS11s rolled down the assembly line. I wish this forum could post the pics I took. It was impressive to see bins of hundreds of cylinders, of engine bottoms, drive assemblies. Each 11 as it came off the line was started and driven to a test cell where it was run up and down the RPM range, gears shifted up and down, lights, turn signals and other electrics checked, then ridden to a vast building to wait to be crated for shipping to its ultimate destination.

I have a lot of seat time on Elevens, I love them. My favorite was a month long cross-country trip. The first leg of thst was 3 days from San Diego California to Toronto Canada to see an old girl friend.

[thebottle]

Read through all of the posts, and really enjoyed it. Very cool to look back and see how you all started with the bike, . A lot of you are giants, .

Hi thebottle,
simple answer: Many in their 50's most of us are in our 60's some in their 70's and even a few in their 80's

There are a few who have owned their XS11's from new

Not many 24 year olds of today are interested in the labour of love an old bike requires. With hardly any shops left that even know what a carburettor is let alone willing to work on them.

We are glad to have you and the few young ones join in the fun of being XSive.

Phil

I think there are enough younger people out there that like wrenching (I was one of them, no longer that I've passed 30, ), but some things are definitely dying out... carbs are one of them. I had to change rims in my KLR wheel a couple years ago which involved lacing the spokes and no motorcycle shop would do it. Called all of them in my area and they all referred me to bicycle stores. Called all the bicycle stores and only found one that would do a motorcycle wheel and they wanted $150 and couldn't get me in for a month so I ended up buying this and doing it myself. Some things are becoming a dying art.

didnt want to hijack the thread but just got done reading Ranger xs1100 article on life in the army and vietnam,,,,a good, well written, easy to read autobiography of his time there in the 60's, as a lot of us were around then to understand .....anyway, read it, takes about half and hour,,,thanks for the writing
https://rucksackgrunt.wordpress.com/

Thanks, I've bookmarked it to read later.

I’m 78. I was a Yamaha dealer for many years and was at the factory in ‘77 when the first XS11s rolled down the assembly line. I wish this forum could post the pics I took. It was impressive to see bins of hundreds of cylinders, of engine bottoms, drive assemblies. Each 11 as it came off the line was started and driven to a test cell where it was run up and down the RPM range, gears shifted up and down, lights, turn signals and other electrics checked, then ridden to a vast building to wait to be crated for shipping to its ultimate destination.

I have a lot of seat time on Elevens, I love them. My favorite was a month long cross-country trip. The first leg of thst was 3 days from San Diego California to Toronto Canada to see an old girl friend.

Can you upload them to a image host like imgur.com and then put the links here? I would love to see them. And my favorite time was also a cross-country trip ~month long, looking back, one of the best things I did, one of the most enjoyable times of my life, just was riding around the country with a tent and no plan until I ran out of cash and went back to work. Whenever I think back to that time I feel calmness and joy.

[MaximPhil]

Hi thebottle,
Lacing wheels...wow you are versatile. I have seen it done many years ago. Nice tool you found.
I had a plan to throw a tent on the bike and wander the USA this summer but this virus has stalled that idea.

A simple question has generated a lot of nice answers. Thanks

Phil

[Bonz]

It's not summer yet Phil!

Keep the happy thoughts going!

[dbbrian]

I’m 78. I was a Yamaha dealer for many years and was at the factory in ‘77 when the first XS11s rolled down the assembly line. I wish this forum could post the pics I took. It was impressive to see bins of hundreds of cylinders, of engine bottoms, drive assemblies. Each 11 as it came off the line was started and driven to a test cell where it was run up and down the RPM range, gears shifted up and down, lights, turn signals and other electrics checked, then ridden to a vast building to wait to be crated for shipping to its ultimate destination.

I have a lot of seat time on Elevens, I love them. My favorite was a month long cross-country trip. The first leg of thst was 3 days from San Diego California to Toronto Canada to see an old girl friend.

Hi Dave - 3 days eh? I have brothwers living in San Diego...someday it might be a good tour, taking the long way.

If you have the factory picture in digital format I would be happy to post it.

If you want to try yourself, load it onto a site like imagur. When you click on the photo there are options to copy a link - looks like this

https://i.imgur.com/qT0DSBI.jpg

Then make a reply or start a thread, click on the little picture icon (tiny yellow square with mountain and sun) and paste that text into it. Be sure you only have the [ulr] on each end once.




Brian

[madmax-im]

Original owner of my 1982 XJ1100 Maxim..Bought brand new in the Spring of 1983 as a leftover model..It was the last one in their inventory. I kept it 30 yrs until 2013 when i regrettably sold it.. back in 2007 I discovered this XS1100 online community... coincidentally when joining the ST-Owners forum. It was there that I discovered a few members crossed over from here. I'm gonna be 68 in Aug.. Have not had a decent ride in 20 months since my last wreck of my Suz. Bandit1250...
Been saving money and and bought myself an early birthday present...
My third ST1100...1993 with the 40 amp alt upgrade...

[thebottle]

Hi thebottle,
Lacing wheels...wow you are versatile. I have seen it done many years ago. Nice tool you found.
I had a plan to throw a tent on the bike and wander the USA this summer but this virus has stalled that idea.

A simple question has generated a lot of nice answers. Thanks

Phil

It wasn't easy. I had to do it over a few times because I didn't get it correctly. Found some good youtube videos that really helped me out, wouldn't have been able to do it without them.

Yeah, that is too bad with the virus, but maybe it will still be okay. If they re-open the National Parks then I would still go and see as many of those as you can! I just googled and it looks like although the visiting centers are closed some of the trails and camping is still open, so I think you may not need to put it off! Would definitely look into it further though to be on the safe side.

[motoman]

Original owner of my 1982 XJ1100 Maxim..Bought brand new in the Spring of 1983 as a leftover model..It was the last one in their inventory. I kept it 30 yrs until 2013 when i regrettably sold it.. back in 2007 I discovered this XS1100 online community... coincidentally when joining the ST-Owners forum. It was there that I discovered a few members crossed over from here. I'm gonna be 68 in Aug.. Have not had a decent ride in 20 months since my last wreck of my Suz. Bandit1250...
Been saving money and and bought myself an early birthday present...
My third ST1100...1993 with the 40 amp alt upgrade...

A nice looking find Ben!...….. to replace the ST you once had,.....to add, nice tour seat with the added rider backrest, should make a fine LD ride!

[madmax-im]

A nice looking find Ben!...….. to replace the ST you once had,.....to add, nice tour seat wi ath the added rider backrest, should make a fine LD meride!

Thankyou Brant...It seems I have an affinity for ST1100s. Never could quite pull off a Venturer acquisition..but 3 ST1100s no biggie...It may be 27 yrs old bit all it needs is gas..oil tires and moly paste....A fine LD steed indeed...

[BillyRok]

I'm 59, seems the years are tearing by now. First thing I ever rode was a 50cc Honda minibike my friend had but I really learned how to ride on my uncle's '74 Yamaha DT250 Enduro. At 16 I bought a '76 Honda MR250 Enduro, it was brand new and sitting in a corvette dealership. Then in college I bought a 1982 Kawasaki KZ750. After I sold that I went 25 years not riding until I got my XJ at 50, I wanted an air cooled in line 4 and my research led me here. I've been to the rally in Stecoah, NC twice. Always wanted to ride across the country which led to my adventure with purchasing the 1980 LG in Idaho in 2014 and riding it back home. Found this site and all the great people here over the years, it's added a lot to the journey. Ride safe all!

[BillyRok]

P.S. -- Nice bike there Ben!

[DeanR]

Been saving money and and bought myself an early birthday present...
My third ST1100...1993 with the 40 amp alt upgrade...

Nice Ben. Back again to the best bike ever!
Where did you find it? Looks like a RDL seat too.

[MaximPhil]

It wasn't easy. I had to do it over a few times because I didn't get it correctly. Found some good youtube videos that really helped me out, wouldn't have been able to do it without them.

Yeah, that is too bad with the virus, but maybe it will still be okay. If they re-open the National Parks then I would still go and see as many of those as you can! I just googled and it looks like although the visiting centers are closed some of the trails and camping is still open, so I think you may not need to put it off! Would definitely look into it further though to be on the safe side.

Hi thebottle,
Now you know how perhaps you could recoup some of the coat by doing wheels for others. Even undercut the bicycle store and do some bicycles
Have not given up on travel plan......yet. however as the border remains closed it's not my call yet.

Phil

[madmax-im]

Nice Ben. Back again to the best bike ever!
Where did you find it? Looks like a RDL seat too.

Thanks Dean..It was in classifieds on both ST forums but I found it on ST-riders forum and all interactions were done there...It has been for sale since July of 2019...No takers until i found it..1993 Candy Glory Red...
Yes RDL saddle..Heli-bars..Rackman Hwy wings...heated grips..40 amp alt.upgrade...And a whole bunch of telated products..tools..service manuals etc..just 300 miles away in N . VA. Its even being delivered to my door as part of the deal...This bike had my name all over it...And I got it for a song...