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  • #1

    Thinking of buying a XS..

    Hi, I sold my Suzuki V-Strom last month and I've been looking at retro bikes since then. One I've always had a soft spot for is the XS11's. My dad has one (his second) and they seem to cater for the bigger riders. (I'm 6'4).
    I have the option of buying a XS from a lady in another state. I've haggled her down to $4500 (AU, about $3900 US) for it and was wondering what the opinion might be. It's a 1981 model XS Special. It's had a complete rebuild, engine was overhauled (bored out slightly), fresh paint and polish and it looks like new, its only travelled 27,000k. The owner sadly finished the project then passed away shortly afterwards and his wife is selling it. His aim was to get it as close to factory standard as possible (apparently)
    I've seen a few models that need some TLC selling for half that price on ebay. Just wondering is it going to be money well spent?
    Do these models required a high level of maintenance? I'm good with basic stuff but have my limits once the engine head comes off...

    Any help and opinions welcome

    pics


    Tags: None
  • #2
    The price seems high, but man, that bike is an awesome sight. If she won't come down of the price and you don't mind tinkering, I would pass on it and get a more reasonably priced XS (just because of the amount she is wanting). Now if you rich and that much isn't that much to you, go for it.
    1980 XS1100 Standard "Touring"
    Fairing, Trunk, and Bags
    850 FD
    Fork Brace
    Progressive Front Springs
    Engine Guards w/Foot Pegs
    Oil Cooler
    Throttle Lock
    Uni Air Filter in Airbox

    2009 Suzuki Bandit 1250S ABS

    Comment

    • #3
      I take it it's a euro midnight special..?? I've only ever saw one. It's nice! and in a class by itself. I think the air box was gold on them and that's not the factory exhaust but it sure is purty.
      A run of the mill xs11 special in good shape, would cost between $1500 to $2,000 in the states. I have watched restored xs's go for up to $5,000.
      79 XS11 Special (Lazarus)
      80 XS850 Special (Old Faithful)
      80 XS11 Standard sorta stock (Beatrice)
      79 DT 100

      Comment

      • #4
        It IS very pretty.
        1978 XS1100e Satin black untill I can afford some pearlescent red paint from house of color.
        1978 XS1100s Flat Black with a Windjammer and hard bags setup. (parts pig)

        Comment

        • #5
          IMO, that is a VERY well maintained and put tother bike (at least visually). I'd give it a good test ride to check the gears are solid and not in need of the typical repair, See it start from cold and verify it purrs like a kitten from the first push of the button.

          If it does all that and looks like that, the price is a little steep, but if your mor einclined to pay more and ride than to pay less and work on one, looks like a good choice to me.
          Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

          When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

          81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
          80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


          Previously owned
          93 GSX600F
          80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
          81 XS1100 Special
          81 CB750 C
          80 CB750 C
          78 XS750

          Comment

          • #6
            Coopz - That is not an ordinary '81 Special (XS1100SH) or Midnight Special (XS1100LH). That is a VERY nice XS1100RH - specific to Australia. The exhaust is not original, but just about everything else seems to be. There are a few other things like the seat and the handlebars that make it unique among the XS's

            These bikes are relatively bulletproof and will easily run over 300K miles without any major issues, as long as the basic stuff is taken care of. There is nothing super technical on them, and with the help of this site, I'm sure you'd enjoy this particular bike. Now, the price does sound a little steep, but you can also look at it with the idea that it won't take much (or anything) to turn this into a daily rider. If I had the money, I would definitely go for it.
            1980 XS850SG - Sold
            1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
            Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
            Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

            Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
            -H. Ford

            Comment

            • #7
              The pegs are moved back and the shifter is different. I can't zoom in clear enough to tell. Looks like the rear brake pedal is shortened also? With you being so tall, that will shorten you up even more than normal. Probably easily reverted back to normal though with a set of pegs, a shifter, and a brake lever.


              Tod
              Last edited by trbig; 02-22-2010, 10:35 AM.
              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

              • #8
                Thanks for the replies, I think I will purchase it. I think it's ok for the price. Motorbikes cost a lot more in Australia, my mate sold his 1994 CBR1000F with 80,000k on it last month for $5000.. I can only guess what they would sell for in the USA.

                I think this bike will suit my needs

                Comment

                • #9
                  Good! Hope you enjoy it. Keep us posted.
                  1980 XS850SG - Sold
                  1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
                  Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
                  Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

                  Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
                  -H. Ford

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I cant see the pix...
                    '79 XS11 F
                    Stock except K&N

                    '79 XS11 SF
                    Stock, no title.

                    '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
                    GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

                    "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by trbig View Post
                      The pegs are moved back and the shifter is different. I can't zoom in clear enough to tell. Looks like the rear brake pedal is shortened also? With you being so tall, that will shorten you up even more than normal. Probably easily reverted back to normal though with a set of pegs, a shifter, and a brake lever.


                      Tod
                      You know, looking at it, it looks like the pegs might be on backwards and switch as to the side their on. Looks like the shifter is backwards to compensate and the rear brake lever is clearly as you said shortened. Everything but the rear brake might be as simple as putting thing back where they belong. Then again I could be wrong (it would be the first time though).
                      Cy

                      1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
                      Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
                      Vetter Windjammer IV
                      Vetter hard bags & Trunk
                      OEM Luggage Rack
                      Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
                      Spade Fuse Box
                      Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
                      750 FD Mod
                      TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
                      XJ1100 Front Footpegs
                      XJ1100 Shocks

                      I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        That shifter setup is factory for the euro models, I've been thinking of going to that setup because it's easily adjustable for my big clown feet. The stock shifter adjusts either too high or too low for me. The Euro version involves a different shifter cover that has a mounting pivot for the shift lever, a rod with 2 ball ends and a connector for the shift shaft. you can see a bunch of pictures on xs1100.com, the euro site.

                        BTW, any Aussie blokes or Euro lads with those parts available? Please PM me!

                        I'll need: Cover; Shifter; Rod; Arm.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Nice looking RH Coopz. It's been well restored and it has the fairing which is a very rare item.

                          Same as the European Sport except it has a longer rear guard and a couple of screws in the front guard that was for the front number plate back in the old days.

                          Seat has been recovered and it looks like Koni shocks on it. The Konis are a bonus over the standard shocks.

                          You'll never really know how much work the engine has done, but going by the work that has been done on the bike you'd imagine he did all the right things by the engine too.

                          You better read up about XS1100's. Everywhere you go folk will want to talk to you about it. Nice buy and pretty good at the price. As you say bikes go for a lot more money over here.

                          Thing is, if you keep it in that condition you'll never get any less than what you paid for it. I'd get twice what I paid for my RH now.
                          Last edited by melbxs; 02-23-2010, 03:24 PM.
                          Melbourne, Australia. XS1100RH

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            hey coopz,
                            good to see another aussie on board.
                            where abouts are you?
                            thats one really nice looking bike, ive had mine for nearly
                            5 years, you wont be dissapointed.

                            yep, the pegs sit back and slightly higher,
                            makes for better cornering,
                            but at 6'2, sometimes my knees ache after a long ride,
                            but highway pegs help.

                            Hey Randy,
                            the shift set up isnt to bad,
                            but there is much more play in the shift
                            than there is in the special models.
                            ill pm you.
                            Last edited by petejw; 02-23-2010, 05:20 PM.
                            pete


                            new owner of
                            08 gen2 hayabusa


                            former owner
                            1981 xs1100 RH (aus) (5N5)
                            zrx carbs
                            18mm float height
                            145 main jets
                            38 pilots
                            slide needle shimmed .5mm washer
                            fitted with v/stax and uni pod filters

                            [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pA8dwxmAVA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/url]

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              that is one nice looking 1.1, color me jealous
                              1982 XJ1100 Stocker with a Kerker header.

                              Comment

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