New member New bike Xs 11oo Special

[rockyoneandonly]

Hi everyone , this is my first time posting as im new to the forum . I recently aquired a 1981 xs 1100 (special aka a project bike) , Ill post some pic s in a day or so , Im told the bike was ran two years ago but who knows and there is a second gear problem that needs to be fixed so where do i start im asking my self ( russ where do you start lol) Hey ive got an idea how bout the first bolt , lol Im joking here in case you didnt catch that, anyway im going to tear it down completly and do a little welding on the frame to stiffin it up , the engine has 46,000 plus miles so its time for a rebuild there and im sure other places need attending to also so in effect im looking at a complete restore project here, this is my second bike i also have an 82 virago 750, had to replace the starter on that one , runs very well though .I remember xs 1100s kicking ass on the street when they first came out , in a strait line they were top dog for awhile ,anyways i hope i can get some help here doing this project and thanks for reading . Russ

[DGXSER]

Welcome to the madness Russ. Look around and read up on the tech tips, they tell you alot of good stuff!!!

There are some true genious folks here and people who are trained mechanics. So far, I do not know of anything you can need to do to oen of these machines that someone here can not tell you exactly how to do it. This is a golod mine for tech info and stuff the books don't tell you to, did I mention the tech tips? There are things in there to do and nto do that may even contradict the manual, believe the tech tips!!!

As to a rebuild, nahhhh that baby is just getting broke in!! I know of several of these machines with over 80,000 and never had the head off. others will tell you even longer milage machines still rolling as they came out the factory door.

I just bought a similar bike myself, an 81 special that sat in a barn for two or more years. The second gear repair is well documented in the afore mentioned tech tips. Called the dremel fix I believe. Read it over and you will have your gears taken care of in no time.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Welcome Russ

You came to the right place! I got my 80 Special almost exactly a year ago now.

It had been POd to death. It was rolling but hard(stiff calipers) the engine hadn't been running in 2 or 3 years because the PO couldn't figure out why (pickup coil problems). Carbs were WASTED. And a VERY large part of it was in 2 cardboard boxes.

If it wasn't for these EXTREMELY helpful people I wouldn't be riding what I've got today.




I learned more here than I could have in any stinkin' manual.

Some here are just plain crazy like me, but a lot of them are EXTREMELY intelligent.

I see you've got an 82 Virago too. I have an 81 that sat in a carport for 10 years I'm working on. If you have much experience inside that thing I would like some help. Also PARTS.

Welcome to XS11.com! Channell 11

[tarzan]

Welcome Rockyoneandonly,
You definitely have come to the right place.Excellent people here.
I also have an 82 Virago.Did that whole starter thing.PITA
I wouldn't rebuild that engine unless it knocks or smokes or something is
seriously wrong with it.I have one apart right now with 48,000 miles on it and the cylinders are well within spec.As has been stated many people get around 100,000 miles out of them.
Ride safe.
Rick

[rockyoneandonly]

thanks

Thanks alot you guys , im pretty much a new mechanic myself hoping to learn about these bikes , i was thinking about buying a new bike but looking at prices and what you get for the price you gotta pay i decided id go with the older machines , i like metel not plastic, ive done body work on cars for years and ive been a welder done alot of that, serious welding too , anyway im hoping i can turn some talent onto these bikes and learn something in the process the only thing ive done to the virago is a new starter also had to replace some parts in there due to wear but once you get into it its pretty easy to do . I guess haveing an xs 1100 is like having a big block 454 in the bike world, i like the clean look and brite shiny metel Ill probly do some changing peices to suit my own taste im sure of one thing Ill be changing the bars to a more strait bar something to hang on to if ya get my meaning lol by the way that black special ya got there looks great mine is black also but ill change that . thanks again .Russ oh i did paint the virago tank and covers

[fredintoon]

Hi everyone I recently aquired a 1981 xs 1100 (special aka a project bike) ,- - - Ill post some pic s in a day or so , Im told the bike was ran two years ago but who knows and there is a second gear problem that needs to be fixed so where do i start - - - anyway im going to tear it down completly and do a little welding on the frame to stiffin it up , the engine has 46,000 plus miles so its time for a rebuild there - - - Russ:

Hi Russ and welcome,
the search button will tell you ALL about the 2nd gear fix.
You need to be a real expert to weld stiffness into a frame rather than just add weight to it.
At 46,000+ miles that engine is just about broken in nice.
Get it running again and put a few hundred miles on it.
Then do compression and leakdown tests before spending a load of cash on a rebuild.

[Incubus]

If you are looking for trained mechanics or people who are very bright, then I guess I should shut the hell up. However, if I can get my bike running - and my '79 Standard is running SWEET right now - then that should give you hope that you can get yours running very well too.

I am living proof that if you put a thousand moneys in a room with a thousand typewriters they will eventually turn out a best selling novel - or at least a nicely running XS11.

Patrick

[rockyoneandonly]

xs 1100 pic s

ill post some pic s soon and thanks again . Russ

[XSokieSPECIAL]

I see you've got an 82 Virago too.I have an 81 that sat in a carport for 10years I'm working on.

Ahem! excuse ME. That would be a 91.

[DenyP]

Welcome!

Lots of great folks here with an unbelievable knowledge of our bikes.

Deny

[rockyoneandonly]

virago

Yes i do have a virago i just had to fix the starter on it when i got it it was in ok shape i painted the tank and side covers then the starter i put some new plugs in and changed the oil , it runs pretty good now , id like to change the bars id rather have a more strait barim not a big fan of the pull back bars anyway its a work in progress lol Russ

[dontlikeoc]

Russ, I am working on a 1981 Special project too. It is true that many people on this forum help you out even about most unusual questions.

[rockyoneandonly]

81 special

Whats your plans for your 1100?

[kirmit77]

Whats your plans for your 1100?

TO RIDE IT!!

just joking... well kinda....

Good luck to you on your build. I did a complete tear down and rebuild when I got mine in February. Only took me till august to get it going but i was on workmens comp and had ALOT of time on my hands. I POWDERCOATED EVERYTHING! Just take your time and make it your own.

[rockyoneandonly]

I was thinking about a total rebuild but im not sure i have the time ,Im a singer songwriter and do alot of recording plus i make instruments also , so my time is limited , but a rebuild would be great ,Ha we ll see If i decide to go on with it ,it ll take a year i bet .