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  • #1

    new to the forum 79 xs 1100

    I've been searching this forum for info for about a week and I finally decided to stop being lazy and sign up. I may regret my purchase, but my buddy said he was giving me a good deal on a bike, the bike is a 79 xs1100. I paid 800 bucks, and only rode it around his neighborhood, so I had no reason to shift up to 2nd gear.
    the newest problems include: 2nd gear slips, the clutch doesn't want to engage, the speedometer doesn't work, turn signals don't work, air filters are bad, spark plugs were bad, exhaust is rigged, rear tire is bald, front tire has dry rot, bad fork seal, and it leaks oil.
    I have set out to fix all of this and am probably going to have a lot of questions for everyone on the forum. There is already a wealth of information here, so I'm sure I can find out what I need.
    I just changed the plugs and took off the air filters yesterday, now it actually stays running without being choked. It runs pretty steady, so I don't think i'll have to service the carbs.
    anyway, i've got to go now, but i just thought i'd introduce my bike and welcome any comments about being stupid for buying a bike with so many problems. we'll see, and wish me luck,
    steve
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  • #2
    Steve

    Welcome

    You've just purchase the greatest motorcycle God eve allowed man to build.

    Ok ok maybe your specific unit isn't....but once you get it all lined out I think you'll love it.

    Comment

    • #3
      Good Deal? Great Bike, YEAH!

      Hey there Steve,

      Well, don't know how close you are to your "buddy", but sounds like he got you for several hundred $$ too much, with that many problems!!!

      But, they are not insurmountable! Aside from the tech tip link on the left hand column, you will want to go to the MAIN FORUM PAGE, and scroll down for the tech tips, many are NOT linked to from the left column. The tranny repair will show you how to fix your 2nd gear skipping problem, best to take care of 1st while you're in there!!

      Turn signals can be as simple as corroded grounds, the rear are inside the fender wells, or could be corroded contacts inside the handlebar switches, or it could be bad flasher unit, can be replaced with aftermarket, but will loose self cancel feature, vs. spending $80+ for Yamaha's replacement!

      Best to get OEM fork seals from Yamaha/bikebandit.com, several folks report leaking from aftermarket ones after just a couple of years, the OEM ones are more durable!

      Oil leaks can be misleading, thinking it is coming from below, where instead it actually is coming from above, like cam cover or cam tensioner rubber plug.

      To save yourself some greif later, you'll want to go ahead and service the carbs, otherwise you may find tuning problems later that you won't be able to solve IF you haven't ruled out the carbs!

      Other than that, once you get it into proper shape, yes, you'll have a great bike that will be worth the $$ you put into it, in pleasure value!!
      T.C.
      T. C. Gresham
      81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
      79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
      History shows again and again,
      How nature points out the folly of men!

      Comment

      • #4
        the newest problems include: 2nd gear slips, the clutch doesn't want to engage, the speedometer doesn't work, turn signals don't work, air filters are bad, spark plugs were bad, exhaust is rigged, rear tire is bald, front tire has dry rot, bad fork seal, and it leaks oil.
        Yeah... he's a new guy, all right. For all that he just wrote here, I fail to see what problems he's talking about. He just bought a 28 year old engineering marvel! Sure, tires he'll have to pay for, but all the rest is self fixable. Oh, but the first thing you'll need to spend money on, Importeater, is a manual.
        T.C., as always, is correct about the carbs. Plenty of posts and tech tips here covering everything! Plenty of people here to give answers when asked, and to offer their opinions anyway, when not asked!
        welcome any comments about being stupid for buying a bike with so many problems
        The error was on the part of your buddy... for getting rid of the bike. Most of us have several of these fine crafts. Most of these bikes were bought in conditions far worse than yours. Most of the members on this site have limited mechanical ability(or so they thought), but have achieved remarkable results on their own, asking questions when stumped.
        (Yeah... this guy'll be posting pics soon, I think)
        "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a mechanic!' ('Bones' McCoy)

        Comment

        • #5
          Welcome Steve,
          "Beware of any man that owns a pig farm"
          "Hence the meaning of the Saying,.. As greedy as a pig"
          79 XS1100 modified standard
          Chain Drive, Monoshock,extendend hand built swingarm, 200 rear
          pod filters,150 mains,45 pilots
          straight pipe 4-2 exhaust
          new to me 05 Kawasaki zxr12r man does she fly
          Owned 83 Honda V65 Magna
          Owned 02 Vstar 650 classic
          owned 85 Honda Shadow VT 700C

          Comment

          • #6
            I also have the same model and mine wasnt even runnin when I bought it. Some money,blood,sweat, and more money. I love this machine. I also believe that no one else in the world is gonna have MY bike, which is part of the reason I love it. As I said above Welcome to the land of XSsives. You won't regret it. PS great name.Heres a pic of my bike.



            Currently

            Before [URL]
            "Beware of any man that owns a pig farm"
            "Hence the meaning of the Saying,.. As greedy as a pig"
            79 XS1100 modified standard
            Chain Drive, Monoshock,extendend hand built swingarm, 200 rear
            pod filters,150 mains,45 pilots
            straight pipe 4-2 exhaust
            new to me 05 Kawasaki zxr12r man does she fly
            Owned 83 Honda V65 Magna
            Owned 02 Vstar 650 classic
            owned 85 Honda Shadow VT 700C

            Comment

            • #7
              .. Damn Steve, thats a freakin cool ride! how bout a better pic [of the bobbed version]?
              makes me want to bust out a hack saw and get busy

              Comment

              • #8
                Here ya go,



                Sorry6 bout the darkness, pics taken at 4am before work
                If you want to check out some pics of the process go herehttp://sfranklin8.photosite.com/album1/
                "Beware of any man that owns a pig farm"
                "Hence the meaning of the Saying,.. As greedy as a pig"
                79 XS1100 modified standard
                Chain Drive, Monoshock,extendend hand built swingarm, 200 rear
                pod filters,150 mains,45 pilots
                straight pipe 4-2 exhaust
                new to me 05 Kawasaki zxr12r man does she fly
                Owned 83 Honda V65 Magna
                Owned 02 Vstar 650 classic
                owned 85 Honda Shadow VT 700C

                Comment

                • #9
                  My bike








                  Comment

                  • #10
                    That's a clean looking bike. With the problems you described you might have got it for a little less. Once you get it fixed it will be worth at least twice what you paid for it.
                    2 - 80 LGs bought one new
                    81 LH
                    02 FXSTB Nighttrain
                    22 FLTRK Road Glide Limited
                    Jim

                    Comment

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