death of my XS

[beechfront]

yesterday was a sad day. i finally decided to part out my XS. All those years of work gone because of my own stupidity.

i built a rear luggage rack a few years ago for use on long trips. it worked great. however i found out the hard way that trying to carry a fully loaded cooler (30 pack beer, ice, food) was just too much for it. some months later after returning from the trip i noticed a crack in the frame. i know what you're thinking - what an idiot - and you're probably right. i'm just glad the whole thing didn't give out while i was going down the interstate.

the location of the break did not affect normal driving - but i could no longer carry any luggage for trips - and i didn't want to sell it to someone given it's flaw.

so - if there is anything you need let me know. i've put up a bunch of stuff on ebay, trying to get back out if it as much as i possibly can - but i still have almost two complete engines left whcih were in perfect running condition (one will be missing some gears) along with many other miscellaneous parts. i live in bellevue, nebraska and if you want to come pick some stuff up be my guest.

i have a set of vetter hard saddlebags i'm not sure what to do with. they are complete with mounting hardware for an xs1100 special, but one of the welds is broken. i tried to fix it using my friend's crappy 110V wirewelder (no gas) and it didnt' last too long. one of the mount pegs was broken and fixed when i bought them - but it has proven very sturdy over the last 20,000 miles.

anyway - if anyone is interested in my ebay stuff here is the link:

THE LINK

i started everything at $5

[beechfront]

oh - best way to get a hold of me is via email at beechfront@gmail.com

[pit-fighter]

Hey beechfront

I would be interested in the front forks if they are in good condition...just let me know how much.

[andreashweiss]

Send you a frame for cost of shipping if you want. 81 h frame with title. andreas

[beechfront]

Originally posted by pit-fighter
Hey beechfront

I would be interested in the front forks if they are in good condition...just let me know how much.

are you referring to the ones on ebay? if not - i have another set that are in good condition. you can have them for the cost of shipping.

[trbig]

Call me stupid (Wouldn't be the first time) but it sounds like something that could be fixed with 5 minutes from a welder. If it's aluminum, steel, whatever. A crack can be fixed. I can understand parting out a totalled bike, but not for a crack!
I know.. it's your bike, your decision, just hate to see another one go to the graveyard.

Tod

[beechfront]

thanks for the offer andreas, and you are right tod - it probably wouldn't take much to fix the crack - but the other problem i have been fighting is the exhaust. i had the factory exhaust (both sets) welded a couple times by a professional and it would only hold for one or two thousand miles before cracking again.

[pathfinder]

Pipes are alot thinner and harder to weld, probably weakened from rust inside. Cure is to buy new pipes. The frame shouldn't be that big a deal. Where is it cracked? Cancel your auctions and keep it alive.

[strom]

I had my frame brake off just behind rear shocks. Had case mounting hardware, some frame, rear fender w/light and stuff hang by the plastic inner fender and one of the TCI screws made a nice new groove in the rear tire. Noticed after 20 miles of riding, almost at my house. Put some steel rods in the frame, welded together with co2, painted the area, now its fine.

LP

[COOL TOM]

Broke Frame

Like everyone is saying get the frame to a good welding shop and have it welded and put a reinforceing brace on it, not hard to do. I know because i have been welding for over 35 years. Then get a another set of pipes off someone on the site or get a new set. Just keep these xs's on the road. I would be interested in the Vetter saddle bags let me know what you want for them

Thanke Tom
82 XJ1100 DAILY RIDE
78 XS110E FIXING UP
79 XS1100F PARTS BIKE

[andreashweiss]

I have a decent set of exhaust off of a 78e. standard. Stock header pipes off manifold running to collectors crossover not there.two chrome headers attached (slip on type). With mounting points on rear in stock position. Chrome header pipes have ususal pits,road grime. Mufflers chrome is OK are average.NO Cracks, dents,holes,rust etc. These will last for some time. Not stock mufflers but stock pipes. $100.00 price includes shipping to you in continental USA. andreas

[beechfront]

thanks everyone, but the ball is already in motion. I was really getting tired of fighting the exhaust, and when i realized the frame was cracked - i pretty much decided then that i didn't want to fight it any more. i don't want to be stuck 2,000 miles away from home. i re-wired the timing advance about 20,000 miles ago so it will probably be going again soon. i figure my stator proboably doesn't have too much life left in it. my blinkers quit and i don't want to go digging into the electrical system again. i had a lot of fun working on this bike and a lot of fun riding it. but something just tells me that it is time for something newer. i could go on about the various reasons i have for doing this, but i would rather not. thanks everyone for your help and support the last 3 years. this is really a great site and great people.

[DeanR]

What kind of condition are the rear shocks, having had carried all that weight?

[dewibp]

Yup, sad deal Beech. I am just up the road from you about a hundered miles. I am bidding on some misc. items today. If/when I get them I wouldn't mind seeing what you have left for misc. parts and make a reasonable deal for what you have left. I need the rubber grommets for the side covers, the plastic tie locks for fatening wiring to handle bars, how about the handle bars?, nuts bolts, I would be interested in about anything you have left. I put these old babes back together. thx

[beechfront]

laxdad - the shocks were just fine. The stuff in the picture actually didn't weigh all that much - the big yellow thing is just a big sleeping bag, and the suitcase on back contained just a few clothes. that stuff didn't weigh as much as a 2nd passenger would. the incident in question happend in under 200 miles of riding. Because of how the back rack mounted it had quite a bit of leverage on the frame. it cracked the top of the frame right behind the seat mount. if the cooler had been sitting behind me on the seat i would have been fine. I had the heavy duty ones on there anyway so i wasnt worried about weight. I never bottomed out or anything.

dewibp - i have been conversing with a guy up in minnesota who is pretty interested in my leftovers as well, but i will keep you in mind. i should have those grommets and some of the plastic tie locks sitting around.