xs recommendation

[Gringo]

Hey guys, I saw this posting near me the other day. Sounds like the same 1st and 2nd gear problem everyone has been having but am scared of the dremel fix being too hard to do (how long does it take for a newbie?). I am comfortable doing work on bikes but would still consider myself as an amateur. I am very hands on and technically savy but dont know if a bike at this price would be worth it so I figure I would ask you guys. Thanks

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/2220927771.html

[natemoen]

I have not had to deal with the dremel fix at all so I can't speak to that. Other than the gear slipping what you can see in the pics it looks decent and the take looks like an 81s tank.

[DGXSER]

Not great pictures, but, based upon the tank alone it looks like it could actually be an 81 which makes it the Venturer. Which can be a more desirable model.

If it runs decent and all the other parts are there, then I would say it would be worth about $4-500 to me, but price is in the eye of the beholder.

As to the tranny fix, well, it certainly can be intimidating. I know I had never dug into a bikes engine cases before I did my first one. So it was a bit un nerving. But I also just did it on my current bike in less than 8 hours start to finish. Print out the tech tip, take to the garage/work area with you, read it over a few times looking over the engine and parts as you do. Then go through it step by step. The fellows who put that together did an excellent job of taking through the steps almost bolt by bolt.

Another great tip for anyone digging into anything like that where you are not familiar with everything, is take a good digital camera or video camera out with you and use it to take photos of how things are in place before you remove them. I do it after I remove every single piece. It really helps when you go to put those parts back on and the oldtimers kicks in and your sittign there wondering "Now, how did that go together??"

Overal, from what you see anyway, definitely worth going to take a look at. Before you go, look over the FAQ titled "what to look for in a neglected XS".

[crazy steve]

If it runs decent and all the other parts are there, then I would say it would be worth about $4-500 to me, but price is in the eye of the beholder..

I'd have to agree, nearly $700 is a bit steep for a non-runner. And I'd say this bike isn't a Venturer, but has just been fitted with that tank. Looks like a regular standard from the clues to be had in the pic (mostly the cast rear peg mount), so you may be looking at a frankenbike. If you go look at it, it might pay to go armed with a list of model serial numbers to properly identify it.

[natemoen]

And here is the link to the page with the numbers to see what for sure it is. Check both the steering neck vin as well as the vin on the engine but go by the number on the steering neck to see what the bike really is.

http://www.xs11.com/faqs/153-serial-...ry-colors.html

[jwhughes3]

crazy-steve how do you see it?

The CL pic is so poor quality I don't know how you can even see the rear peg mount much less identify it as cast?


John

[crazy steve]

The CL pic is so poor quality I don't know how you can even see the rear peg mount much less identify it as cast?

LOL! You're right, I can't tell it's cast from looking, but all of them are cast. What I see is the shape; the standard and special mounts each has a distinctive profile. In this case, it's the thickness of the mount directly underneath the swingarm pivot. Too thick to be a special (and the '81 standard frame was a hybrid; it used the special peg mount/exhaust system) so it has to be a '80 or older standard frame...

[motoman]

Venture to say that IS a Venturer, unless someone went to the trouble to use 81Venturer side-cover emblems. Also, too many other visuals that normally would'nt be changed...so frankenbike........not....

[DGXSER]

Dang I must be getting older than I thought. If you can makeout any of that level of detail, you must have eagle eyes, and a REALLY good image enhancement program.

Either way, it looks like something worth looking into. Go look, take plenty of pics and post them here if you want, plenty of folks here can eye ball what is what from a few decent pics. I'd bring jumper cables and a 5mm allen wrench and a 6mm allen wrench for your ratchet driver and see if it turns over by hand, then try to start it.

[crazy steve]

Dang I must be getting older than I thought. If you can makeout any of that level of detail, you must have eagle eyes, and a REALLY good image enhancement program..

Actually, my eyes are better than they were as I had cataracts several years ago, and they corrected my eyesight when they fixed them That, and lots of practice looking at crappy CL and Ebay pics to make sure I'm looking at/getting what I think I am...

But I've found that the rear peg/muffler mount is the only sure-fire way to positively identify standard/special (and 81H) frames. These mounts can't be swapped, so if they're in place, you can usually tell if you can see them.

[Jarion]

I'm putting off the eye surgery....
My 52" computer screen compensates just fine.

[Gringo]

Wow, thanks a lot for the info guys. So as I am new to these bikes, why would an 81 Venturer be desirable? Did it just have extra little additions that are unique? Thats impressive that you can tell all the different parts on the bike from those crappy pictures. I emailed the guy requesting better pictures and maybe go check it out. I will most definitely print off that serial number sheet when I check it out. I definitely had the feeling that asking $680 for an non-working bike was too much. I have done a lot of research on xs' but not too much about the 1100's yet so thank you very much. Going to read some on this site.

As for the repair. I am not nervous in my hands on abilities but rather just scared because I have never been into a motorcycle engine like this before. I honestly think it would be fun... but, as I am poor, spending a lot on a bike and then screwing it up by dremeling something incorrectly on a $700 bike would make me nervous. I would be a lot less nervous spending $300. We will see what I can do. And I would have all you guys to ask If I ever came across anything. I will keep my eyes out for bikes regardless if I would get this one or not. Thanks.

[crazy steve]

So as I am new to these bikes, why would an 81 Venturer be desirable?

The Venturer was the last 'standard' model, and came equipped from the factory with (in addition to the larger fuel tank for touring) a fairing with lowers, saddlebags, a 'touring' seat, and luggage rack. Many also had the optional trunk/backrest. If you're looking for a touring bike, these came ready-to-go. The earlier bikes could be had with a 'tour pack', but this was a dealer-installed item (or could be installed by the owner).

The main difference between the '81 Venturer and it's earlier standard brothers was the frame/exhaust; these used the 'special' exhaust system and the frame was slightly different to mount it.

If you don't want a tour-ready bike, these can be a bit of a PITA to 'convert'...

[skids]

dremeling something incorrectly on a $700 bike would make me nervous. I would be a lot less nervous spending $300. We will see what I can do. And I would have all you guys to ask If I ever came across anything. I will keep my eyes out for bikes regardless if I would get this one or not. Thanks.

Go with your gut instinct. Offer him 300 and tell him no higher than 350 if he doesnt bite. He'll never sell it like that locally.

[Gringo]

Yeah, I am definitely not looking for a touring bike. If I got a bike with all the fenders etc on it I would sell them. I don't know how this is favored on this forum with you guys but I am wanting to bobber it out. I've always been a crotch rocket guy so I want something with a bigger engine than a 650 preferably. So they suck to bobber them out if it would be an '81 huh?