1980 XS1100

[ront]

Hi Guys,
I am not sure if I have ever posted here or not. I cannot remember. I have lurked quite a bit though. Very nice site!!
I am a member of the Triples forum as I do own a 1978 XS750 SE. The reason I am posting here is that last night I was looking at a 1980 XS1100SG. The guy is asking $1200 for it. I payed $1000 for my XS750 and it was in very good condition(for it's age) when I got it. This bike is not running at the moment. He said it did about 1.5 years ago. The paint is pretty faded, headers have some rust on them, but mufflers look pretty good. There is some rust in the tank. I did not see any floating though. There was gas in the tank and some on the ground under the bike. I could not tell for sure where it was coming from. The chrome looks to be in pretty good shape. The paint in the instrument gaiges is pretty faded.
I woould really like a bigger scooter, but I am not sure this is the one. My XS750 is set up pretty well, runs strong and is paid for.
The battery was dead in the XS1100 and so we could not even try to start it. He said he would try this week end. Do the XS1100's suffer from the gasoil that the XS750 and XSS850's can? Is there anything else that I should be paying special attention to? Is $1200 to high a price for a non running bike.
Thanks for any input at all!! Here is a picture of my XS750. It would take alot of work to get the XS1100 to look like this!

Ron

[DiverRay]

Ron, check the "Tech Tips" on the left, as I think there is one about buying bikes.
I would not pay more that $500 to $700 for the bike, if he was able to turn it over and start it. Not starting, $500 tops. If you do the work, you are looking at $700 to get the bike in good shape once again.
I payed $600 for daily ride, and that was a running bike with fresh carbs and a new battery.
Ray

[jetmechmarty]

My limited experience tells me the bike you're looking at is totaled. I gave $2K for mine and it needed nothing. I still haven't done any maintenance other than normal wear and tear items over 25K miles.

These bikes appear to bring about $2K or less in very nice condition. How much will it cost to bring the bike to very nice? It sounds to me like more than $800 in parts and labor.

That bike in the picture looks to me like $2K if it was wearing XS1100 badges. I've seen some nice bikes people claimed to have paid a few hundred dollars for.

BTW, I love the bike. I can't imagine what I could replace it with.

[DeanR]

Agree with DiverRay and Marty in Georgia, and the pink flower decorations on the horns and fender are interesting!

[mastan]

Ron:
I'd offer him $500 tops and keep looking. You can find one in pretty nice shape for that kind of money. $500-$800 for getting that bike on the road is conservative imho.
BTW, thats a beautiful 750 you have there.
Mark Stanton

[knewsom]

if you're looking to buy a good bike in decent cond., expect to pay 1200... but for what you're telling us, I agree, 500-700 tops.

I paid 700 for a bike that runs, but had a slough of problems, and I'm STILL getting it roadworthy.

hold out for a good one on ebay and spend the extra $$$ for a bike in good shape.

[Hoop]

$1200 for a non-running XS1100 is unthinkable and borders on insane. You'll need a battery ($75), probably 2 tires ($200), fuel tank redone, carbs redone, petcocks replaced, just to find out what else is wrong with the bike. The seller claims the bike hasn't been run in 1 1/2. It could be 10 years.
The faded paint/instruments & rust on headers are cause for great concern. This bike likely spent part of its life outdoors. This means you'll have to deal with rusted nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

If the bike looked as good as your XS750 (which is beautiful), a non-running bike might be worth $500.

If the XS1100 looked as good as your XS750 and was in good running condition, it would bring $1500 - $2500.

To get the XS1100 you've described into good running shape with good cosmetics, I'm guessing you're looking at a minimum of $1500 in parts/repairs. Non-running XS1100's in questionable shape with faded cosmetics are a dime a dozen. Few people on this forum would pay $200 for the bike you've described.

[charles]

i paid 600 hundred for my 80 xsll00 special full dress and all i had to do was overhaul carbs, front brakes, tires, and lots of cleaning and it sat inside i still spent around 1100 dollars fixing it ........spending 1200 for one that sounds rough is crazy i agree with everyone else 500 tops less if possible my xs1100 only had 20000 miles on it to

[Hired_Goon]

I paid 500AUD(approx 380US) for mine not running. Even that was a gamble. Good part was it looked like it had been kept under cover as no visible rust apart from the headers.

Was complete minus seat and one sidecover. Has new tyres and new pads. Calipers/MC need an overhaul though.

Now the motor runs and she purrs like a kitten I feel a whole lot happier than I did when I bought it. If the engines sound then the rest is cosmetic. Cept brakes of course.

Mine was worth it but no way I'd pay 1200 for something I couldn't hear running. Engine parts are the hardest and most exoensive bit to get.

[flyingdakota]

xs750

Howdy!
Say my bro-in-law has a xs750 that the motor just siezed and he would like to get another bike, where are you located and would you be interested to sell the 750? if so how much?
cessnafixer@yahoo.com located in Hubbard, Oregon.
Thanks, Tim

[ront]

Thanks alot for the input guys. I really appreciate it. You all confirmed what I was feeling. Yes, I wouold like to get a bigger bike, but, I do have the XS750 set up pretty well and it is a good strong running bike. I will just wait for now. BTW, I have not heard back from the guy after he got the XS1100 running. I really doubt he got it going.

Thanks, Ron

P.S. Thanks for the comments on my XS750. I really have not done alot to it, since I bought it. When the guy pulled it out of the garage, I just stood there smiling and saying, "I'll take it" .

[xschop]

just do it

the xs1100 won't dissapoint you, and they are increasing in value and popularity here....chop