XS1100 for sell

[Tazcop]

Ok guys I don't have the patience or the knowledge to work on this bike.
It is a 1978 XS1100 16000 miles fearing saddle bags and trunk. I paid $1300.00. I put in quite some money into it already. New tires, new battery, new rectifier and carb parts. It still needs some work to get it running right and I see that a lot of you out there know what they are doing. I would like to get at least $1400.00 for it. I put it for sale here first as I can see that you guys know and love these bikes.
I live in Montana and only have 3 real good riding months. (only two seasons here in Montana Winter and Fourth of July )
Let me know if any are interested and you can e-mail me at tazcop@ronan.net.

Thank guys, you are a terrific bunch on this site and I got a lot of help trying to get it running right.

Taz

[Tazcop]

Tried to put a pic of the bike but I don't know how so if anybody want to see it I can e-mail it.

[dragxs11]

Sorry to hear your throwing in the towel Taz. I don't want you to get the wrong impression; These bikes usually run seemingly forever. But the only thing harder on them than drag racing seems to be sitting around for years at a time. You still might be able to get a shop to fix it, but you might not be ready to spend anymore money on it. For some people, the best thing to do is just shell out for a much newer bike. I must confess that it would have been easier for me to do that. But I have an affection for retro bikes. I guess either way though, I'd be tweaking on whatever I was riding. Good luck though

[Tazcop]

Hey thanks Dragxs for the words of encouragement.
I just don't have the money and the time or knowledge to spend on the bike. Even today I took it for a little run and I thought by golly it seems to be running a bit better until it started spurting and choking, mostly when running at low speed. I was watching all the other bikers going around on their bike with no problem. I guess that did it for me I figured if I got to spend money I might as well get something that run and if need fixing at least I can find parts for it and at a more affordable price.

Thanks again.

[fusionking]

Sorry I don't think you're gonna find any bike that you can buy parts for "cheap"

[CHRISSER]

Sorry to hear you giving up on a great bike man. These bikes don't seem to be noted for their great carberators so in this situation patience and perseveirance would appear to be the best way. Spend some time, do a little research, tinker a bit, you might be pleasantly surprised.

[Jeff]

I've found that at least my own personal XS takes more TIME than money. In my case.... patience and learning as much as I could about the inner workings of the bike have paid off with a relatively inexpensive, sweet running machine.

I had eyeballed the bike for over a year sitting out back of my friends pawnshop. When I actually started working for him.... I got curious and began to research the beat up old beast. From what I found here.... I began to think that if the price was right... I'd have me a decent road bike again. I broke down and purchased it from him for $700. I've put quite a few hours into tearing thru the carbs and working out a few electrical gremlins. I've actually put very little cash into it so far besides oil, filter a few odd parts here and there and battery. Most has gone into purely cosmetic enhancements such as replacement side covers and a new sport fairing for the front. All it needed was a little TLC to make up for the PO's abuse and it came back for a second shot at life. Now.... I don't know what I would do without my bike.... nicknamed "FlashBack". It may not have the flash and glitz of the new generation of cruisers.... but what it does have is timeless STYLE.

Sure.... I suffered thru a little embarassment when a fellow biker pulled along side and my old XS began to spit and sputter. But... now that I've taken the time needed to work out the bugs..... I get to embarass a few riders by dusting them with a 25 year old bike.
I know I can't just run out to the Yamaha shop and pick up parts in stock... or even special order them in most cases..... but I HAVE found anything I have needed to be available if I just had patience and waited for it to pop up somewhere. In EVERY case..... I managed to pick up parts.... even NEW ones.... for considerably less than they would have cost me from the dealer when they were still available. One of my co-workers at the pawn shop is kicking himself in the pants now for turning his nose up at the bike when he had an opportunity to purchase it...... after seeing what I've managed to do with it.

[Jeff]

Just another note....

I'd hate to see you give up on your XS.... ESPECIALLY..... if it is a 78 Standard. So far.... I think I have the only Standard in town.... though I have seen quite a few Specials and Maxims. I too spent a little while thinking I had made a mistake by purchasing my own 78 Standard..... but that thought has been long since banished from my mind.

Keep the faith! Keep the XS!

[TopCatGr58]

Expenses

Isn't there somebody that lives near this fellow that could visit him and help him get his XS running right!??

Hey Tazcop,

Speaking of costs and know how to work on it, lets reflect on the costs of a newer machine! If you can't buy it outright with cash, you'll need to make payments, that requires FULL insurance coverage, much more expensive than the minimum liability only. With a newer machine, to keep it in warranty you may have to take it back to the dealer for its required services, much more expensive for even just basic tuneups and oil changes. The newer machines are much more complicated, and require fancier tools and gauges and such for working on them.

I'm sorry I don't live near you, I'd be over there in a hearbeat to help you out, but that's how I am. I hope you reconsider and can find someone to give you a hand, these are very good machines once you get them into the condition they need to be!

T.C.

[Tazcop]

Thanks every one for all the pep talk you have been giving me and after reading all about it I might reconsider and keep this bike and try to work on it. I don't really mind having to pay here and there for the parts but like I have explained I have no clue on what I am doing mechanically speaking. I can drive just about anything from 2 wheels to 21 wheels but I can't fix 'em.
But with this site and every one here giving me support and tips I will give it a try. I will to work on it myself and try not to screw up to much.

Thanks TC I wish you'd live nearby too so you could help me too.

thanks guys you're a great bunch.

[fusionking]

YEEEAAAAA TAZCOP!!!!!!!!!

Awsome man!!!!!! I REALLY hope you find/fix all your problems. It would be nice if you could find a set of carbs off of a known-good running bike to try out. Anybody got any they'd part with ? All I have is a set I got off ebay that was supossed to be for an XS but seem to be for an XJ. They appear to be near perfect but I think they would only cause you more grief in your case.

[Jdwags]

don't give up

Don't give up man,

i started with the mongrel, i bought at a church auction for $500, and it ran ok but not really that well.. ( course i didn't know that for about a year and a half..)

then i was given another by my uncle that had let it sit for 15 years..

needless to say im trying to restore both bikes, but right now they are blended, so i have something to ride..

its been alot of tinkering, frusturation, and words, but i keep coming back to this list, and the sages here, as well as looking at the ol girls out in the garage just itching to get back on the road..

get it goin and come out to PNW in August.. only been to 1 rally but it is something i will never forget..