Hi- new owner of XS1100.

[ThrottleJunky]

The brakes are pretty much done with the exception of bleeding the fronts. The entire system was completely disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled with fresh fluid. I had to use air to free the stuck caliper pistons. The rotors and pads are like new. It's amazing, though, what time will do to brake fluid. Nasty.

The clutch is completely frozen up. I need to order a clutch kit. Even if I can free it, I won't chance using it because I worry about the material holding up. So, I'm not sure I'll have this thing on the road this weekend as I'll likely be waiting on parts. Tis a shame since I'm really looking forward to riding it. I'll take some pics tomorrow.

[natemoen]

Glad ya got them all apart. Compressed air seems to work the quickest for that.

[cywelchjr]

'They' are lawyers, and that six year figure is correct if you live in Phoenix Arizona or a similarly hot sunny climate. If you live somewhere cooler and the tires haven't been exposed to the sun constantly, they can last considerably longer. Use your head; if there's signs of weather-checking, yeah, you should replace them, but just because they're six years old doesn't mean they're bad...

I've had tires that were old, didn't have any weather checking at all, and were hard as a rock. There is more to it than the rubber checking and such, it gets harder over time as the volatiles come out of the rubber and it gets harder. I had a set that were 13 years old, and the tire installer almost couldn't get them off the rim, and they still looked brand new, but they were WAY down on grip.

[crazy steve]

I've had tires that were old, didn't have any weather checking at all, and were hard as a rock. There is more to it than the rubber checking and such, it gets harder over time as the volatiles come out of the rubber and it gets harder. I had a set that were 13 years old, and the tire installer almost couldn't get them off the rim, and they still looked brand new, but they were WAY down on grip.

Cy, like I said, you have to use your head. First, that 'six year' number was arrived at (and adopted by most tire makers) from testing that was performed in Phoenix Arizona; the city with the highest average daily temps in the entire US which was pointed out in the report. One thing that wasn't taken into consideration before adoption (but was mentioned in the report) is that tire degradation from heat is exponential; the hotter the temps the tire is exposed to, the faster it goes bad with the rate accelerating as temps go up. Cooler climate, aging from heat is slower. So where you live makes a pretty big difference. They took the 'worst case' and applied it to everybody, which is how lawyers work.

So, if you live in Phoenix where the average daily temps in June-September are 100 degrees, yep, six years should be the max. You live in Sacramento, where the same average temps/time period are 90 degrees (this data is from the US weather service). Your tires will age slower than Phoenix, but not by a lot. Where I live, the temps for the same time period are about 70 degrees, so my tires will age slower yet.

So, do what you gotta do, but I won't throw away a tire just because it's reached that 'magical' sixth birthday; I'll look at it and decide if I think it needs replacing...

[cywelchjr]

Cy, like I said, you have to use your head. First, that 'six year' number was arrived at (and adopted by most tire makers) from testing that was performed in Phoenix Arizona; the city with the highest average daily temps in the entire US which was pointed out in the report. One thing that wasn't taken into consideration before adoption (but was mentioned in the report) is that tire degradation from heat is exponential; the hotter the temps the tire is exposed to, the faster it goes bad with the rate accelerating as temps go up. Cooler climate, aging from heat is slower. So where you live makes a pretty big difference. They took the 'worst case' and applied it to everybody, which is how lawyers work.

So, if you live in Phoenix where the average daily temps in June-September are 100 degrees, yep, six years should be the max. You live in Sacramento, where the same average temps/time period are 90 degrees (this data is from the US weather service). Your tires will age slower than Phoenix, but not by a lot. Where I live, the temps for the same time period are about 70 degrees, so my tires will age slower yet.

So, do what you gotta do, but I won't throw away a tire just because it's reached that 'magical' sixth birthday; I'll look at it and decide if I think it needs replacing...

Not saying throw it away at 6 years at all. What I'm saying is that weather checking in NOT the only thing to check for, as the tires can become rocks without having checking. Also, if you get in an accident with tires older than 6 years, I would expect possible problems with the insurance co, as they would likely claim it was your fault through negligence and refuse to pay.

Seems a moot point to me anyways, cause unless the bike is garage furniture, I doubt that tires would last long enough to be an issue, and bikes that have been sitting, generally have tires far older and abused than 6 years anyways.

But what I'm saying is don't just look for cracks, but check for how hard the rubber is. We only have two tires to provide all our grip, we can't afford to be down on grip much if any. That's all I'm sayin man, not that your wrong, just that your advise is missing part of what needs checked on older tires.

[crazy steve]

Not saying throw it away at 6 years at all. What I'm saying is that weather checking in NOT the only thing to check for, as the tires can become rocks without having checking. Also, if you get in an accident with tires older than 6 years, I would expect possible problems with the insurance co, as they would likely claim it was your fault through negligence and refuse to pay.

Seems a moot point to me anyways, cause unless the bike is garage furniture, I doubt that tires would last long enough to be an issue, and bikes that have been sitting, generally have tires far older and abused than 6 years anyways.

But what I'm saying is don't just look for cracks, but check for how hard the rubber is. We only have two tires to provide all our grip, we can't afford to be down on grip much if any. That's all I'm sayin man, not that your wrong, just that your advise is missing part of what needs checked on older tires.

Cy, I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just pointing out that the 'six year' figure shouldn't be the last word. For most people, it won't be an issue. Not even weather checking should be the only reason for changing a tire, as I've had Avons develop light sidewall checking in less than a year; I wore them out with no issues. But for those with multi-bike fleets and/or a short riding season, this can be an issue. Myself, I have several bikes, a shorter season than you, no work commute (retired), and trouble with my bad back often enough that I may not put a lot of miles on in a given period.

Here's the real answer: http://cgi.ebay.com/0-100-SHORE-DURO...item45eefc67c0
This would allow you to monitor the actual tire condition; might even be fun to test various new tires and see what you get between brands/models...

[cywelchjr]

Cy, I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just pointing out that the 'six year' figure shouldn't be the last word. For most people, it won't be an issue. Not even weather checking should be the only reason for changing a tire, as I've had Avons develop light sidewall checking in less than a year; I wore them out with no issues. But for those with multi-bike fleets and/or a short riding season, this can be an issue. Myself, I have several bikes, a shorter season than you, no work commute (retired), and trouble with my bad back often enough that I may not put a lot of miles on in a given period.

Here's the real answer: http://cgi.ebay.com/0-100-SHORE-DURO...item45eefc67c0
This would allow you to monitor the actual tire condition; might even be fun to test various new tires and see what you get between brands/models...

I have to agree with you there. I think we agree on what the issue is, which is hardness of the tire over time, and with only two of them, how long are you going to trust it? I agree that in your area they will last significantly longer. My point was purely that the two things that are an issue with tire age are cracks that are more than superficial, but more, how hard the rubber gets, cause that is what is going to make your tire wash out in the turn.

[ThrottleJunky]

The brake system is done. I need to pick up a clutch pack, or order one online, and get it in next week. Here's a pic of the bike. I am going to sell off the full fairing, windshield, saddle bags, trunk, crash bars front and rear, and seat. I'd like to get as much as I can so I can put that money into a single seat, and some modifications. The clutch housing cover is off because I was checking the adjuster. The bike is actually close to mint. I also have an extra standard tank that I will sell. The only thing I don't have is the reflector on the rear guard. From what I can ascertain, the bike has never been down. The exhaust is pristine with only one tiny dimple on the passenger side. The crash bars have no scrapes.

[ThrottleJunky]

PS- Not the prettiest of colors, I know, but consider the era. The bike won't look anything like this when I'm done with it.

[natemoen]

That does not look like stock exhaust.

[MaximPhil]

HiThrottle Jockey,
Yeah a picture. My 2cents. Fairing and bags are Vetter.
From this angle the tank looks like a standard not the extra large. Are the Yamaha logos held on with screws?
Be careful when assembling the clutch. Check the tech tips for details so you do not break anything.
Phil

[ThrottleJunky]

Yeah, all the bags, etc. are Vetter. I found the label on them. What's interesting about it is the "MacTools" logos on the bags (ugly), and the fact that the keys and locks are "MacTools" too. Not sure what that's all about. The guy I bought it from was very proud of the bike, and seemed to kind of lament letting it go. It very well may have an aftermarket exhaust. I think the seat is, too. I think it was taken care of.

After further review, I don't think it's stock exhaust, either. It flairs out on the end. I think this bike was customized right after the guy bought it, or maybe some MacTools promotional thing from the early 80's. Who knows?

[bikerphil]

If that olive green color was a light green (think Bel-Air), that'd be awesome looking. .

[motoman]

Either way, a bunch of money was spent on that bike to make it look like it does. BTW, those muffs are Jardines....no longer available. Hate to see it get whacked up, but to each his own.

[crazy steve]

...From this angle the tank looks like a standard not the extra large....

Very definitely a standard tank. They're actually easy to tell apart; the standard tank knee indents are rounded at the front, while the Venturer indents are straighter at the front and slanted forward.

I'm with Phil; if that olive color was a mint green, that would be a very pretty bike. Not that the bike looks bad, but some peoples color choices do make you wonder...