Need ideas and input... pictures?

[Hddndrgn]

Hello everyone. First I am new and have learned a lot about these bike from your site, so thanks to all.

I bought a 79 xl1100 and a 80 xl1100 special a few weeks ago and Im looking for some ideas and what you guys have found that does or doesnt work.

Havent decided what to do with the 79 yet, but i started working (or rather stripping the 80 already. I want to turn it into a cafe style bike. So i started taking off all the isnt needed.

I ordered K&N air filters, the Dyno jet kit, new carb boots, new tires, and sent the tin off to be painted. I will also be removing all the covers and exhaust and getting them painted or powdered black.

I am looking to change the bars and seat, maybe hide the cables, clean up the bar controls, maybe hide the battery and clean up the electrical.

Might use the 79 tank on the 80, not sure waiting to see how they look after paint.. I like the smooth gas cap.

I was looking here for some pictures and some ideas, but your pics page is down. so any ideas and or pictures would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
JE'

[crazy steve]

Yeah, the photo gallery went away during a server upgrade...

From the clues I got in your post, it sounds like you may have a '79 standard, not a special (smooth tank top), but there's always the possiblity of a frankenbike (mashed together from mixed parts), so posting pics of what you're starting with would be helpful. There's enough differences between the models that advice really needs to be based on that. You might also check both the frame and engine numbers to verify just what you have... you can find that info here: http://www.xs11.com/faqs/153-serial-...ry-colors.html.

To post pics, post them to a free photo-hosting site like Photobucket, then link them to your post by copy/pasting, using the photo icon in the posting header. To see some bike pics (all sorts), look here: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11278.

There's quite a few differences between the '79 and '80 bikes, not only model but year too, so if you're planning on using one for parts you do need to pay attention. But probably everything you need to know can be found here, so welcome to the site!

[crazy steve]

I should have added that if these were non-runners (or even runners but suffering from neglect), you should figure on going through the carbs, electrical connections, and the brakes and thoroughly checking/cleaning them. Look here: http://www.xs11.com/faqs/16-what-to-...ed-xs1100.html. These are the source of 90% of the issues these bikes have, and it's far easier to do this while they're apart rather than trying fix them on the fly, or being stranded somewhere...

[Hddndrgn]

NO the 79 is a standard, the 80 is the special.

As far as using one for parts, i was planning on doing something different with each bike.. The 80 is well on its way to café style and i got alot of good ideas from lots of different places.. my biggest questions are which seat and bars to use....

And as for going though the brakes carbs and elec, they are all getting redone. also taking off the air boxes on both and putting dyno jet kits on both. I am lucky to have a family member that raced the original FJ"s for Yamaha and has over 40 years as a motorcycle mechanic..

what i am looking for is custom ideas and seat suggestions.. the second bike is still up in the air but after looking at all your pics and beautiful bike i have lots to consider...

[jetmechmarty]

seat

www.hotwingglass.com Dave Burgess has lots of cool seats.

[natemoen]

Just as a heads up, the 79 has different carbs (sort of) but the dynojet kit from the 80+ carbs will not fit it. There used to be a lit for the early carbs but it is pretty rare.

[Lbrown311]

Good tips

The resto tech tip that Steve threw the link out for is an excellent place to start for getting these bikes running, and unfortunately my bike had all of these problems and some. Feel even worse for the PO, because it had 2010 tabs on it (clearly was ridden that year) and the bike had about 5-10 years of repairs/maintenance that should have been done. 1/4 thru the metal brake pads on rear. Terribly sludgy calipers and MC's. Even worse tires. Filthy carbs. Float in carb 4 didn't even belong it the carbs. Cracked Valve seat o-rings in 3 of the carbs. Cracked seat. Clutch was horribly adjusted ( could barely take off without killing it each time ). Leaky fork seals. Stuck Oil Filter Bolt. Stuck FD filler bolt. Gross gear oil in middle and final drive. Dirty grease in drive shaft. Cruise control wouldn't allow the throttle to release from any position. Rear wheel bearings were about shot. The list could probably go on. Best part is I was a newbie when I bought my 1980 XS1100 SG and it has only been 2 months and she is almost back to 1985 condition. Takes time, patience, and a bit of searching. Cash helps too The searching part will help with the cash as will the patience if you can find some deals. Good luck with your bikes and have a good time rebuilding them.

[yamahansolo]

Cachow!

[Shacknasty]

I was gonna point you to Yahahansolo's bike!

Here's what I did with the XS11's little brother, a '76 XS750. Clubman bars, paint and a couple other things. Tailpiece made out of part of an old helmet.





Start a build thread for yer cafe. Post lots of pics so we can follow along vicariously.

[xs11lover]

Go to the bike photos thread in the members lounge. There is a pile of pics there......a few of mine too, second to last page I think.

[xs11lover]

Here is a pic of my favorite xs11 redo. I know it's dark but it's a nice shot of the shape.

[Hddndrgn]

Yamahansolo. love the bike, what seat is that? both of mine came with big cushy seats.. like the look of that one for one of the bikes...

Shacknasty nice job on the rear end...

Both look very nice and i think the 79 is leaning towards xslovers pic.

still looking for the right cafe seat, dont like the look of the snaps i see on so many..

[Hddndrgn]

The 79



Yhe 80 minus a few parts already..

[xs11lover]

If the tank matches those fenders on the 80 special I'd take them off your hands. Both of your bikes look very nice. That supertrap exhaust is a hard one to find at any price. If you list your xtra parts in the for sale area you can bring in some cash for your build.
This seller has a nice selection of cafe seats on ebay alot. They are spendy but if you just get the pad and the cover they aren't too bad. Make sure to check his other items out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980-...item5d2f478ad1
There also was a guy in LA that listed nice cafe seats on craigslist. I'll see if I can dig up his ad.

[yamahansolo]

Mine is the stock 79 seat. I bought a seat cover off eBay for 39 bucks. The gut does good work I can't recall the name of the shop. Another Guy bought one about the same time but he got a perforated one u thunk. Looked pretty cool. I also have a rifle nightflight fairing. Just waiting for it to be painted. As well as a chin scoop from airtech. It will look much sportier. You can also look into the f16 windshield. Iused to have one on there and it looked pretty cool. I'd you search through my older posts you'll see pics of it.