New to me '80 XS1100G

[parrot820]

I picked up a 1980 XS1100G today, "touring" edition.
At least I think that's the right model designation.
It's definitely a "project" as these pics show:
http://parrot820.smugmug.com/Motorcy...S1100G-Touring

This is my first project bike, so we'll see how it goes.
I've only done minimal work on my other two bikes (R1100GS, R1200C) so this will be quite the learning experience.

I'm also very new to this model of bike, but one of the reasons I decided to give the XS a shot as my first project is because of this forum. I don't think I'd take this on if there wasn't an online resource to bug. :-)

My current plan is to tear it down to the frame, then start putting it back together again, component by component, fixing and replacing as I go.
I haven't decided what to do with the fairing. I really like the "naked" look with the shorter handle bars, but the fairing is in pretty good shape so I might put it on there just to see what it looks like.

I look forward to getting down and dirty with this bike and hopefully I can bring it back from years of sitting outside in the Northwest weather.

Patrick

[tarzan]

Welcome parrot820

You have quite a project there.Keep us posted and yea we like pics.
It looks like you are missing some parts,There is a guy up by Omak that sells parts.His name is Andreas Weiss.He always has parts in the for sale section here.
Rick

[DGXSER]

I must have upset the pic nazzi "no pics for you!!!" (think Seinfeld).

Anywho, welcome to the forum!! I am about 2/3 through my first project bike. A barn find. It has been fun, and challenging. Ebay has been my friend and enemy!!

Anyway, best of luck on yours!

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Welcome parrot820

Man, that damp Washington climate is really a rust producer. Isn't it?

Lots of work ahead. As I'm certain you aready know there is lots of help and good advice here.

Don't be afraid to ask! ( my signature )

BTW the company here is pretty good too if you just get bored.

Just be sure to use lots of smileys so your not misunderstoodbeen there done that

[parrot820]

Thanks for the "welcome" everyone.

I'll try to put future pics in the posts themselves.
I haven't read the instructions yet for how to do that, so just included the link instead.

Rust: yep, lots of it. Although the worst seems to be the battery box. The rest is annoying, but not to the point where I won't try to clean it up.
I was down at Harbor Freight today and picked up some rust solvent, steel brushes, and "aluminum polisher". Wish me luck.

I don't expect to have it sparkling like new, but definitely better than it is now. I do plan on stripping and repainting the frame. The inside of the tank is way rusted too, but I'm going to go the radiator shop route on that one and see if they can clean and seal it.

The only "mechanical" issue I know of for certain so far is that one of the header pipe posts was snapped off by the PO. Is that part of the engine, or is it a threaded post that I can try to dig out of there?

Other than that, it's a complete mystery to me. I haven't even tried to start her up.

I should be to the point very soon where I'm doing more than tearing apart, so the questions will be coming fast and furious soon enough.

Patrick

[XSokieSPECIAL]

The inside of the tank is way rusted too, but I'm going to go the radiator shop route on that one and see if they can clean and seal it.Patrick

2 words ebay--- wait-that's only 1. I've seen several standard tanks on ebay lately. You might check that out.

The only "mechanical" issue I know of for certain so far is that one of the header pipe posts was snapped off by the PO. Is that part of the engine, or is it a threaded post that I can try to dig out of there?

If you mean by " header pipe posts " the exhaust studs in the head, yea they screw in but sometimes they can be a real PITA to get out. I hope at least there is enough to get a hold of.

Spend some money and get a real good stud removal tool before you go too far with it.

Mac or Snap On have some real good ones.

[tarzan]

The only "mechanical" issue I know of for certain so far is that one of the header pipe posts was snapped off by the PO. Is that part of the engine, or is it a threaded post that I can try to dig out of there?

If you are talking about a stud for mounting the header to the head,then no,it is not part of the block.It is just a stud screwed into the head.You can carefully drill it out,maybe even easy -out the thing.

[devilschld]

welcome i can see by the pictures u have ur work ahead

[webbcraft2150]

Welcome to the madness. There is no real cure. I pilot a 80G also, with the factory "tour pack". Bags, trunk, lowers, fairing,, luggage rack, backrest, the whole nine yards. I do not run with the trunk unless on a long road trip but I keep the bags and fairing on for daily driver use. If you have the oem Yamaha fairing (square headlight and turn signals), stash it if you don't want to run with it, they are getting very rare. The hard bags actually come in pretty handy for everyday use, again, if you don't like em, stash em. Anything that goes wrong with one has been addressed here and everyone is willing to help you along. During the ressurection process, you WILL get mad, frustrated, pissed off and generally fed up with trying to bring the beast back to life. Walk away for a day and hit it again. It will be all worth it the first time you tag redline through a couple of gears.

[cywelchjr]

Amen to that, you will have days that you hate the beast, and after you walk away for a while you will want nothing more than to make it better, because you can't stand to see it down.

[crazy steve]

....Man, that damp Washington climate is really a rust producer. Isn't it?

Yep, up here you buy the BIG bottle of chrome polish for your projects.

Cool, another NW guy.....

'78E original owner

[tarzan]

Over here on the east side of the state we don't get all that rust,unless we leave our toys out in the snow.You guys on the west side get the copious amounts of rain and then salt from the ocean.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Parrot820,
Welcome to the forum! Congrats on the Standard!
Looking forward to seeing all the pics of your teardown and rebuild... so when ya get into it, start up a new thread so we can follow along!

We're a picture loving crowd here...

Like others have already told ya, does look like plenty of work ahead for you, but it'll be a labor of love before you know it! Just take your time, and follow the fellows advice if you get frustrated. It's sure to happen... but it will be worth it when you get 'er done.... and twist that throttle! Just be prepared and hang on...

Good luck!
Bob

[XJOK2PLAY]

Greg,

It's just because some folks don't get that great Okie sense of humor you got sometimes... sooo misunderstood....

But I can 'tolerate' it....

Takes one to know one, I guess... LOL

HeHeHe....

(How'd I do? Did I put in enough smiley faces, so that everybody understands???)

[Ivan]

Just be sure to use lots of smileys so your not misunderstoodbeen there done that

Just what exactly is that supposed to mean?!?!?!?