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  • #1

    New project. A challenge

    Hi Folks

    Here's some pix of the bike which arrived today. It looks very sad and neglected! I drained the tank and carbs, put fresh petrol in and tried starting the bike using Easy Start (ether).... mmm... it ran until the ether ran out and stopped repeatedly.

    The brakes need a complete overhaul all round. The calipers look awful The electrics are all over the place. The seat is Honda; so is the key. The front fender is rusted through. The fusebox is decrepit. There are three damaged fins on the barrels. The handlebar switches are in a poor state. The clocks are full of condensation. Fork 'ears' have rusted through

    I stripped the carbs and found out why it won't run.... every jet is completely gunged up with filth. Two of the diaphragms have holes and one has a tear.

    This is a sadly neglected and miserable looking bike. My initial reaction was to scrap the bike, take it apart for spares and do away with it. Then, having stripped the carbs, got the electrics running and found a healthy spark, I began to have second thoughts.... when the engine turned over on the Easy start, I didn't hear any rattles. I drained out all fluids, removed the oil filter and started disassembling for spares or repair. The frame would need stripping and painting. The petcocks leak. It's missing the metal seat trims (rare and expensive usually)

    So, XSives, just like in the Roman amphitheatres, is this a thumbs up (restore it) or thumbs down (scrap it)? What do you reckon? PIX below:













    Last edited by James England; 12-23-2010, 01:09 PM.
    XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Looks like a good restoration project.
    82 XJ1100
    Regina,Saskatchewan,
    Canada

    2006 V-Star 1100 custom

    Comment

    • #3
      Lots of work for ya - but worth it!!

      Hey James: To be honest it looks better than when I got mine & mine's fantastic now. I won't go into it, but once you get at her its a labor of love & the end result will be worth it all. Have at her lad & enjoy. WOW that kinda sounds too good. - Dan
      '81 XS1100 LH - Midnight Special - been lookin' a long time for this one.
      1179 big bore kit, 80SG motor
      Rebuilt head, valves
      TC Bros Forward Controls (Brass Pegs)
      Tkat Fork Brace
      T.C. Spade Fuse Box
      Dyna Coils & wires
      Mikesxs shocks,controls,& bars (special)
      ISO grips with stelleto ends
      4 into 1 black Bassani exhaust
      Bridgestone Spitfires
      Tuned by Tinman905
      & a will to keep it.

      Comment

      • #4
        DO IT! people have started with less...

        It looks great for the most part in the pictures! Your description though is much more frightening though! Seeing what you did with that last one though i am sure you will make this one just as amazing.
        Nathan
        KD9ARL

        μολὼν λαβέ

        1978 XS1100E
        K&N Filter
        #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
        OEM Exhaust
        ATK Fork Brace
        LED Dash lights
        Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
        Green Monster Coils
        SS Brake Lines
        Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

        In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

        Theodore Roosevelt

        Comment

        • #5
          Restore it of course. But why do you keep coming on here and shunning us lot? I'm not bothered mate but curious

          http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/

          Upset you have we? Bollox.

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by FJ111200 View Post
            Restore it of course. But why do you keep coming on here and shunning us lot? I'm not bothered mate but curious

            http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/

            Upset you have we? Bollox.
            Oh sorry... no not shunning you. It's just that, ages ago, I found the two XS sites and for weeks, I just couldn't succeed in registering on the UK one. It went on for ages. I did get onto the US forum though. So I was on here for ages and got to know people and got familiar with the site format and layout etc etc.
            XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by James England View Post
              ...So, XSives, just like in the Roman amphitheatres, is this a thumbs up (restore it) or thumbs down (scrap it)? What do you reckon?
              Well, the poor thing has definitely lacked for love, but at least it looks like it's all there. This will be a bit more of a project compared to your near-cherry starting point on the other bike...... so I'd expect a larger outlay of cash if you're after the same results. Those 'small' parts can eat up more money that you think . But if the motor seems decent, it's too nice to part out...

              Maybe look for 'parts bike'....
              Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

              '78E original owner - resto project
              '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
              '82 XJ rebuild project
              '80SG restified, red SOLD
              '79F parts...
              '81H more parts...

              Other current bikes:
              '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
              '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
              '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
              Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
              Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

              Comment

              • #8
                My thoughts are that it is way to nice of condition to end up a parts bike. Maybe it is past the pint of being able to become the cherry condition machine your after for a reasonable fee.

                If it is, then do what it takes to make it look decent and road worthy instead of a total restore or rebuild and sell it off to some bloke who is looking for a nice reliable and exciting bike that does not need to meet the standards your looking for.
                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

                • #9
                  It looks like it could be made to run and look fine. Restore to original? Well, you could run into $$. Remember too, the seat trim wasn't used on all models. I have two 78E's, one has chrome trim and one has painted trim. You would likely need something different than a Honda seat to get the trim to mount properly.
                  Skids (Sid Hansen)

                  Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Having 2 is twice the fun! As nice as your last project came out it would be a shame to ever get it caught in the rain. This one looks to be a daily rider after you get it back to good shape. Have fun
                    wingnut
                    81 SH (Daily Ride)
                    81 650XJ (Brother in laws bike, Delivered)
                    81 650XJ Jane Doe (Son's Ride)
                    82 750XJ Project bike (Son in law's future ride)
                    81 XS 400

                    No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another; and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him.”

                    A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.

                    Thomas Jefferson

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Restore it, got a couple out here and the only reason i wont restore them is because it is to hard to get the titles on them, but if i run across a chep frame with a title, i got six of them but only one set of side covers, whats the deal with the side covers, oh thats another point the side covers are there, restore it. lol
                      1979 xs1100 f
                      142 main, 45 pilot, Jardeen crosover 4/2, no air box
                      floats @ 25.7

                      1979 xs1100 F
                      1978 gl 1000 goldwing
                      1981 gl 1100 goldwing
                      !986 venture royale 1300

                      Just an ol long haired country boy, come to town to spend some egg money
                      when ya get bucked off, get back on

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Most definately restore it.

                        Do it! BIG THUMBS UP!!
                        1980 CB750K

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by James England View Post
                          Oh sorry... no not shunning you. It's just that, ages ago, I found the two XS sites and for weeks, I just couldn't succeed in registering on the UK one. It went on for ages. I did get onto the US forum though. So I was on here for ages and got to know people and got familiar with the site format and layout etc etc.
                          So, you gonna come on over or what? We have meet-ups and camping weekends.
                          There's the European rally every year. And it's the UK rally in 2013, sounds a long way off but you know how time has a habit of creeping up.

                          Come on son.

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