restore or part out?

[bkush]

Hello everyone,

New member here. I have an 82 XJ1100, but it's in sad shape from what I can see with the naked eye. The tires are gone, all the rubber is gone it seems, the seat is shredded, everything seems to be rusty, and I really have no idea about the condition of the engine, tranny, shaft drive, carbs, etc.

My question is, I see on ebay I can pick up an 82 XJ1100 in excellent condition for approx. $1350. Should I restore my existing bike or buy the one on ebay and use mine as a parts bike?

Many thanks in advance...

Bill

[ratbyk]

Rejuvenate? NO!

From what you describe I would highly recommend that you pick up the eBay bike. It will cost you more to put your parts bike on the road then the ebay special will cost you. That way you have a good basic bike to ride with a stock pile of parts to back it up.
I know after riding XS's for the last 4+ years, that is the way I would go.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"
92 ZX11 Temptress

[chevy45412001]

xj11

i also would opt for the ebay bike and keep a parts bike. I own the xj myself and like you i have a partser. Saved my @ss plenty of times. Just my two paso's. I see your from Ill too, i'm up north in zion right on the Il-wis border,next to the big pond.

[fredintoon]

PO trouble?

Hi Bill,
so, how did the XJ1100 you already have get into such a sad shape?
Of course buy the other one.
Which one ends up on the road and which one becomes a pile of parts will depend on the condition of each machine's drivetrain and many other factors that you won't know until you have both machines apart.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[bkush]

so, how did the XJ1100 you already have get into such a sad shape?

I don't really know. I think it was from just sitting in a garage for the last 5 years. The PO told me he rode it everyday, weather permitting, up until about 5 yrs ago, then parked it. I think a new marriage was involved...

He did say it was a great bike, smooth and a lot faster than it looks, but he also mentioned he was having some problems with the drivetrain. Under hard acceleration in 1st gear, he said it felt like the gears were slipping or something.

The good news is that everything is there, no missing pieces that I can see.

Another question: Does $1350 seem like a reasonable price for an 82 XJ1100? It's advertised as being in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition.

Thanks again for the responses,

Bill

[John]

That is a good price if you really want it. The reason I say that is winter is a hard time to sell, so the bike must be vey nice to command that kind of money. Not to say it's not worth it. I like to think that my 80 SG is worth at least $1700 or more. I have been looking in e bay lately, so I haven't seen it. How much will it cost to get it from where it is to where you are?

[bkush]

Well, the bid price is up to $1725 now... Are you guys trying to outbid me???? lol

As far as shipping cost, I don't know. It's F.O.B. and Rock Tavern, NY and I'm in Peoria, IL...

Well, I'll have to watch it...


Thanks again,

Bill

[Jerry]

$1350 is a reasonable price for an XJ in good operating condition. The 'slipping' gear problem is common on Yamahas of this era, and there are several posts on how to fix it in the Off-lineTech Tips on this site.

Find out, if you can, the maintenence history of the E-bay bike. Has the brake fluid been changed recently? Is it still running the original brake lines, or have they been swapped for newer ones? (Old lines deteriorate on the inside.) How old is the battery? Has the electical system been upgraded, particularly the fuse block? (Block is a known trouble point.) Is the exhaust original, or has it been upgraded? (XJ mufflers are no longer available from Yamaha.) Has any other maintenance or parts upgrades, such as new control cables, battery cables, brake pads, or cam chain adjustment been done recently? Does the owner have the manual, tool kit, original locking chain that came with the bike? Any evidence of rust in the fuel tank? (Rust is bad.) Have the carbs been drained or cleaned in the last few years? If the lister is vague or cannot answer these questions, you might consider looking further.

Depending on the answers to these questions, and your comfort level doing your own mechanical work, you will start to get some idea of a budget needed to make sure the XJ is in reliable operating condition. At a minimum, plan to change oil and filter, clean or replace air filter, flush brake system and put in new fluid, do a cam chain adjustment. (After doing this one or twice, cam chain adjustment becomes a 15 minute job). I would recommend changing the rear differential and middle drive gear lube while you are taking care of the other maintenance items. Almost all owners have had their carbs off, some just make sure the bowls are clean, others to do a complete disassembly and cleaning. The XJ is coming up on 23 years old, and carbs will need service if they have not had any in the last several years.

$1350 will be a starting point. Don't be surprised if you are into it for $1500 - $1600 (or more) before you put a mile on it.

On the other hand, you may get lucky and not have to spend a dime on it! Much depends on the current owner's attitude toward his bike and proper maintenance. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

[Jerry]

OOPS...price went up while I was writing my last note! Personally I don't think the XJ is worth that much, particularly with transportation cost included, unless is is near mint or has a lot of options, like a full touring package. I paid $650 for my XJ back in 1999. Have more than $1,800 in it now with a full Vetter package, ss brake lines, Jardine 4 into 2 exhaust, sealed battery, Progressive fork springs, upgraded fuse block. and a custom seat, but don't think I could get more than $1,500 for it. Maybe I'm wrong.....

[bkush]

Thanks everyone for your replies...

Now that the price is up to $1800, plus shipping and any immediate maintenance I will have to do to it, I think I will keep looking. Maybe I can find a steal like Jerry did!!!!

My father had an 82 XJ1100, bought new in 82. I wish I still had that bike. It was the bike I learned to ride on. Looking back, it seems like a lot of bike for a learner, but it was all we had! So, for sentimental reasons, I want another XJ. Does anyone know of one for sale? Obviously, I'd prefer all the "usual" problems fixed and in excellent condition, but I'm flexible.

I just saw the post about the rally in Indiana this summer. I hope to be on the road and see everyone there...

Thanks again,

Bill

[John]

Rock Tavern, NY? Mabe you should buy it anyway, and have the boys at Orange County Choppers trick it out for you.

[bkush]

Mabe you should buy it anyway, and have the boys at Orange County Choppers trick it out for you

Do they work on stock bikes? It's funny you should mention that, I met them last week at work. I work at Caterpillar in Peoria, and they're going to do a Cat 100th anniversary bike. They were touring the assembly plant. I got to shake their hands (Sr, Paulie, and Mikey). I was kinda surprised, Sr. isn't as tall as I thought he was. He's actually the shortest of the three, but definitely the widest!!!! lol

An O.C.C. Maxim, can you imagine?


Bill

[xssiveone]

Originally posted by bkush
Thanks everyone for your replies...

Now that the price is up to $1800, plus shipping and any immediate maintenance I will have to do to it, I think I will keep looking. Maybe I can find a steal like Jerry did!!!!

If you're interested in a '78XS, a friend has one for sale. He's done absolutely everything to it so all you need to bring is a helmet. I've got a list around here somewhere of everything he's done if you're intersted, as well as some pics. I'm about 6 or so hours from you, right across the international border from Detroit,MI. I forget what he was asking for it.

He's only selling it because he crossed over to the dark side and bought an HD Heritage Softail.

[bkush]

If you're interested in a '78XS, a friend has one for sale.

Thanks Brian, but I really want an XJ1100, for sentimental reasons. Maybe if I don't find an XJ for a reasonable price? I understand the bikes are very similar and all, but I already have the XJ for parts, and it's the bike I cut my teeth on...


Bill

[macnut xj]

Thinking of selling my XJ.......

I've been thinking of selling my XJ. It needs a bit of work to finish it, but it runs good, and has no tranny problems. I even have a parts bike and some extra parts. I already have a Honda 750 Custom project, and am looking at doing a 70's-style 450-500 Honda twin chopper project. Just not enough time to do everything. I'm straight east of you in Indiana on US 24. I just haven't figured out what to ask for it yet. Mostly all it needs at this point, is the replacement tank has some light rust inside that needs cleaned out, and repainted, and it needs a battery, and a couple of other minor things taken care of. I did ride it around the neighborhood last fall a bit with a lawnmower tank temporarily mounted, and I have to say, it is the quickest bike I've ever rode! Even picked the front wheel off the ground a couple of times. I really like it, but it's just more bike than I need. That said, if it was a Midnight, I'd never part with it! I love those bikes!