Glad to be here!!

[Twanginblues]

Hello,

I just picked up my new/old bike last weekend. Had to rent a u-haul trailer since it was snowy but I got the thing home.



I looked at a few pics or your guys bikes and I can't wait to get mine looking top notch and driving great. It has some small issues but it's pretty much a strong runner.

I have a used guage cluster, new mirrors, now fork dust covers and new carb boots coming to me via eBay next week.

I took the beast for a ride yesterday and had the rear brake issue that has been discussed. I noticed it was hard to push and didn't coast like it should be when the clutch was engaged. I made it about 1.5 miles from my house and pulled the thing over. The rear brake had a little smoke coming from it .... ugh. I sat there for 20 minutes or so working the brake foot pedal and eventually it disengaged. At the same time I noticed a little stinky brake fluid coming from (sorry for bad technical terms here) the rod that goes into the MC right around the rubber boot. I'll follow the great tutorial for cleaning out the spooge hole and replace the fluid.

Thanks for having such a fantastic site!

I'm looking forward to visiting this place a lot.

Jon

[crazy steve]

Welcome... dang, a Puyallup guy (yep, I know how to pronounce it; grew up on south hill ). Not too far from you, out in Yelm, and there's several other 'local' guys in Tacoma/Oly.

Nice looking bike... you might want to add the model/year to your sig line so it'll be easier for answering questions.

[xs11lover]

It looks very nice from what I can see. Most have to work for a while to get them that good. I'm sure it will shine in no time. 79 special?
Oil cooler, spaghetti pipes,custom grips, steel brake lines, fork brace, highway pegs, that front master looks like new. I need a better look at that seat, it looks trick too. I think somebody loved that bike already. Nice score!

[Twanginblues]

Thanks for the Welcome!

My dad grabbed a brand new 79 special when they came out and I've been in love with this bike since then. They sound great and have the power to back it up.

Crazy Steve: Yeah, Puyallup is a great place. I'm alomost in Graham but still considered Puyallup. I've been in the area for 32 years now. It's great to hear there are more guys around here. Added sig and avatar.

xs11lover: Thanks for the input. I wasn't really sure why the pipes were criss-crossing. Is there an added benefit to this?



Bad gauges. The tach likes to bounce all over the place too.





Here's my rear brake issue



The zerk fitting looks like it's never been used. What will this grease?



No big deal. The finger works better but it's missin' the horn button.



The seat looks pratically brand new.



I'm guessing somebody did love this bike. Now it's my turn to show it some love. Thanks again guys!!

[benxs1100]

The fitting on your rear caliper is to bleed the air from the braking system. Also it looks like it wouldnt hurt to rebuild that rear master cylinder if it is leaking. Georgefix on ebay has the kit for 20ish dollars and he is very pleasant to deal with.

[Kit]

Greetings, and welcome! Nice find. It's in a lot better shape than mine was!

[SFerinTEXAS]

Nice find. Have to say I see a big learning curve coming. Stick to it and you will see great rewards.

[Twanginblues]

Benxs1100: Thanks for the info. Georgefix is the same place I ordered my new carb boots. Just ordered the rebuild kit too.

Kit: Thanks a bunch!

SFerinTEXAS: Thx. I'm already feeling the learning curve. I hope it doesn't get too twisty...lol.

[natemoen]

Sweet looking ride! Welcome to the site.

Not a big deal but I bet that caliper on the rear was replaced with a front right standard caliper. That blender should be pointing up not forward, but its not really a big deal.

[crazy steve]

Not a big deal but I bet that caliper on the rear was replaced with a front right standard caliper. That blender should be pointing up not forward, but its not really a big deal.

Nope, that's a rear caliper. They used the same casting for all three standard calipers, just machined them different. Put a front on there and you can't get all the air out....

If you have any issues with the brakes, it's time to go through all of it. Good brakes are a must!

[natemoen]

Funny things those engineers do!

[Twanginblues]

Thanks natemoen. That's good to know! I want the bike to look good, of course, but I really want it to be mechanically sound. I plan on using it as my daily commuter during the good weather months.

I got rid of my ninja to pay for a divorce lawyer about 3 years ago. I had an old 74' pickup that barely ran so I traded it plus $500 for this bike. The ninja was alright but the riding style killed me on trips over 50 miles. This bike feels like a bike should.

edit: crazy steve: That's good to know too. Learning is actually fun when you're interested in it.

[crazy steve]

Somebody did put some time into this bike; the polished calipers, oil cooler, braided brake lines, and I'm intrigued by those highway pegs. Never seen a set like those.

If you need any help, let me know. I've got a buffer if you want to 'restore' the polish on those calipers...

Sent you a PM with contact info...

[DGXSER]

Welcome to the madness of XS11 ownership. Good to hear you go the divorce out of the way already..

Very nice looking bike. Lots of upgrades been done. That seat is a custom fab also. Definitely go through the brakes completely. Based upon what you have said, I would suggest you pull and clean all three calipers and both master cylinders. Stopping is VERY important, and these bikes are under braked from the factory. You will definitely feel the difference in stopping from that ninja!!

[greatnw]

Good find!
You'll love it, well sounds like you already do.
Somebody did a nice job before you. Love the seat.
These things are easy to work on.
I hear Wilkeson, Carbonato and Mt. Rainier beckoning you to ride through.