Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Your advice needed

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Your advice needed

    Hi Guys, I'm new to this board. I just sold my 2004 Beemer to free up some cash. I love old Yamahas and have two in the garage. I am looking for one to be my "rider". I am eyeing-up a 1981 XS1100 special on the local classifieds, it looks really clean in the pictures and has 20k miles on the clock.
    What should I be aware of, and is this high mileage for an XS? How many miles can you expect out of one before needing a rebuild?
    Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    P.S. The owner is asking $1200 obo. ( That is if it hasn't been sold by the time you read this...)
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Welcome to the board. Even if that 11 is not in the best shape, people here are more than helpful, and you will get it up a running perfect in no time. As for the mileage, I have heard of 70-80 thousand miles before a rebuild if it is well taken care of. 1200 bucks if runnin well and not burning oil sounds like a pretty good deal. Most of the problems with these machines are with the carbs. Soooo, if it is running... I say go for it. That just my.02$ though, I am sure some more experienced folks will chime in soon.
    "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

    • #3
      check out this tech tip -

      this should answer some of your questions-
      what to look for on a neglected xs

      Comment

      • #4
        Welcome aboard. With proper maint. You should be able to clock triple digits. 20K is not really that much for a 26 year old bike. $1200.00 is pretty reasonable for a running bike that only needs a little tweeking. You'll find that a little time with your carbs and clutch as well as minor electrical stuff, will net you a " pull your arms out of their sockets in acceleration " XSpierence. They are smooth, compliments of shaft drive. With the wealth of info avail on this site, You'll be able to figure out ANY issues that come up.
        Also, being a member of the XS/XJ owners assn. You'll be part of some of the greatest, down to earth people there are.
        S.R.Czekus

        1-Project SG (Ugly Rat Bike)(URB)
        1-big XS patch
        1-small XS/XJ patch
        1-XS/XJ owners pin.
        1-really cool XS/XJ owners sticker on my helmet.
        2-2005 XS rally T-shirts, (Bean Blossom, In)
        1-XVS1300C Yamaha Stryker Custom (Mosquito)
        1-VN900C Kawasaki Custom (Jelly Bean)

        Just do it !!!!!

        Comment

        • #5
          it's hardly broken in yet

          as far as the mileage goes. Whether or not it's been abused or neglected over the years is another matter. Assuming it's in OK condition the asking price is fair.
          You do know the motor runs backwards? I didn't when I got mine. In theory that massive motor running backwards precesses the wrong way as you corner but WTF the bike has way too much power for it's handling anyway. XS11 Specials have tiny gas tanks and weird ATE pattern front brakes that an ex BMW rider may already be familiar with. XS11s have their little quirks but they are great bikes. Go for it!
          Fred Hill, S'toon.
          Fred Hill, S'toon
          XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
          "The Flying Pumpkin"

          Comment

          • #6
            As they said...

            SEVERAL people on here report getting well over 100,000 miles.. and still going. Being used to most early 80's type bikes that were flat wore out at 50,000... that just amazed me.

            If it looks good, is complete with a good title, and has good compression... I'd probably still pay that even if it wasn't running right now since I know a bit about how easy they really are to work on. Just be careful of the tires... looks are decieving.

            Tod
            Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

            You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!

            Current bikes:
            '06 Suzuki DR650
            *'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
            '82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
            '82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
            '82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
            '82 XJ1100 Parts bike
            '81 XS1100 Special
            '81 YZ250
            '80 XS850 Special
            '80 XR100
            *Crashed/Totalled, still own

            Comment

            • #7
              If she is running

              If the bike is running make sure you take it out for a test ride. Take it easy and shift through the gears. These bikes are notorious for hard shifting, mine has since I bought it new. They also have a second gear problem that usually occurs with a lot of hard shifting and riding. Also, don't always believe what the clock says. People by spare parts off of Ebay etc.... and that may not be the original. Read the tech tips on the second gear problem so you will know what to look for. By the way for a running bike with small problems 1200 is a great price.
              2 - 80 LGs bought one new
              81 LH
              02 FXSTB Nighttrain
              22 FLTRK Road Glide Limited
              Jim

              Comment

              Previous template Next
              Working...
              X