A question about bike market value

[Lonerider62]

James IS a good old boy. Like he said, many of us, certainly myself (because I know my ancestry) came from Britain or somewhere in that general area. Just because we had a little feud, then chose to make up different house cleaning arangments sholdn't be a huge issue now. Shake hands and carry on.

[natemoen]

Thanks for this advice. A question: Why is re-jetting a bad choice if there's a stock airbox and exhaust? (I may start a new thread on this question and add more details, just to foster some real good discussion of the sort that I have come to see here).

because you will end up too rich or too lean depending on which way you go. If you make no mechanical changes there is no reason to re-jet.

[JerseyJon]

because you will end up too rich or too lean depending on which way you go. If you make no mechanical changes there is no reason to re-jet.

Hi Nate,

Thanks for the response. So here's what I thought: The '80 special (and the standard as well, I think) had to deal with new emissions guidlines. Instead of redesigning much, Yamaha just made the jets smaller, leaned out the fuel mixture, and thereby reduced the horsepower of the '80 from what it was in the '79 model. I read about this in the articles reviewing the '80 model year. So, my inner genius figured that rejetting with larger jets would restore that lost power. I also figured that I might have to lose the airbox and instlall those cool-looking pods. Doesn't that make sense?

Looking to learn,

Jon

[DGXSER]

The 80 model year they changed the design of the carbs substantially, the primary difference being the way the pilot jet gets fed straight from the bowl instead of through the main jet. But the size of the slides changed, the vent was moved to the inlet bell instead of the external vent tubes, the mixture screws are different design, as well as changes to the emulsion tube jets and needles.

Mostly due to the change in how the pilot jet gets fed, the main jets are much smaller than the earlier models. Like 120 or even 110 versus 137.5. From all of my tinkering and all the threads I have read on here over the years, the consensus is that these bikes run about the best with stock set up. So if you have stock exhaust, and a stock air box (ok, even if you drill out the air box as some have) you should not need to change the jetting of the carbs.

Now, if your after high end performance, that is a different issue. Now you need to decide if you want more top end at the sacrifice of some of the low end grunt these bikes have, or do you want better low end and give up some top end performance. Beacuse all of the information I have seen and experienced would indicate your going to lose something if you switch it out from stock. Not that the top end won't be better than stock, just that the bottom end will not be as good as you improve the top, and vice-versa. And, once you start changing exhaust and or air intake from the stock setup, now you will need to figure out the jetting that works best for your combination which tends to be a trial and error process.

[crazy steve]

...The '80 special (and the standard as well, I think) had to deal with new emissions guidlines. Instead of redesigning much, Yamaha just made the jets smaller, leaned out the fuel mixture, and thereby reduced the horsepower of the '80 from what it was in the '79 model. I read about this in the articles reviewing the '80 model year. So, my inner genius figured that rejetting with larger jets would restore that lost power.

It wasn't the jetting that caused the 'lost' power; between '79 and '80, Yamaha lowered the engine's compression and used milder cams, as well as changing the ignition curve. They did run the bikes a bit lean, so you could bump the main jets up one size to 112.5, but then you'll probably have to 'adjust' the float levels a bit to get it back into proper tune. Stock exhaust and airbox, stock jetting is best....

Pods by themselves won't gain you any power, just make the carbs easier to get on and off.

[jetmechmarty]

I also figured that I might have to lose the airbox and instlall those cool-looking pods. Doesn't that make sense?

As stated in the previous two posts, you have little to gain by changing the intake/exhaust. You will give yourself something to do in getting it to run well again. FWIW, my SG has a 4 into 1 exhaust, stock airbox, and stock jetting. I wish it had stock exhaust, because I think it's pretty.

The XS1100 is a very quick bike as 30+ year old bikes go. Stopping leaves something to be desired. If the bike isn't fast enough for you, there are many options in faster bikes that the XS1100 will never beat. I like riding the XS Eleven as it is. It leases lots of room for tweaking that won't involve sacrifice. Suspension comes to mind.

[James England]

James IS a good old boy. Like he said, many of us, certainly myself (because I know my ancestry) came from Britain or somewhere in that general area. Just because we had a little feud, then chose to make up different house cleaning arangments sholdn't be a huge issue now. Shake hands and carry on.

Thank you kind sir. Hey! We all fell out over TEA, I think? Boston Tea Party or something. I like tea... but not enough to fall out over it (he says, hand extended....)

[andrewraffaele]

Dear all proud nationals,

I don't align with nation-states, I swear allegiance to XS1100s (and tea).

But the question remains:

Would American XS1100 78 standards sell well over-seas? I humbly ask for your consideration.

[crazy steve]

...Would American XS1100 78 standards sell well over-seas? I humbly ask for your consideration.

Given the costs of shipping and import duties and possible hassles with vehicle requirements? Hard to say.... but I doubt it.

[James England]

Dear all proud nationals,

I don't align with nation-states, I swear allegiance to XS1100s (and tea).

But the question remains:

Would American XS1100 78 standards sell well over-seas? I humbly ask for your consideration.

The most popular model in the UK and Germany (where there are lots) is the European version of the XS1100. I think this is because it looks nice but also because the XS1100 first appeared over here in that form. The MNS and S and US styled bikes came later. What turned heads originally were the oblong headlamp and indicators and huge black engine.

In general, US styled bikes don't go down too well here. The riding posture is a bit 'easy rider' ish with the footpegs further forward. This is why you don't have the gear linkage system, shorter footbrake and similar footpegs.
It's difficult not to be subjective but I do recall, in the late 1970's, the wannabe chopper style bikes, laid back US appearance bikes and 'easy rider' look were generally regarded as a bit daft by most serious bikers.

Your Venturer model would be more popular here. It has a smaller tank but same shape and a silver engine, not black. Plus several other differences but it looks very similar. They do sell at better prices compared to the MNS (which we always considered 'girlie') and the swirly wheel bikes.

So... in short answer to your question... I suspect yes. But only if it resembles the European one as mentioned above......I saw on sell last year for approx $5,000 on eBay UK....it was a nice looking bike.

Re tea. I've heard that US tea and beer are not worth squabbling about. We Brits like strong tea and strong beer (at least 6% alcohol by volume). I would be happy, in memory of times gone by, and to show that we Brits really don't mind that the US won independence, to send you some Yorkshire tea-bags, so if you PM me your name and address, I'll send you some and you can drink a toast to us....

[crazy steve]

...Your Venturer model would be more popular here. It has a smaller tank....

James, the Venturer actually has the larger tank; it was the only US model than did (no doubt sourced from the euro bikes). But it also has the 'Special' exhaust/footpeg set-up on it, so you would be unable to install the euro footpegs because of frame differences....

[Eveready1100]

Here's one currently for sale in Australia. Looks to be the same specs as the Euro 11. Barring the 4-1, that is.

Originally listed for 8 grand!

Gumtree Classifieds - CLICK

[fredintoon]

Vive la difference, as we say. You'll think I'm OK (you guess) too, when your wheel bearing explodes and you politely ask me to sell you one.... and I, being an English gentleman, politely oblige.......... Anyway, the chances are that you're from the same genetic stock as "those Brits" (unless you're native American?).... so don't knock mummy, daddy and the old homestead too much, old sport, eh?

Hi James,
speaking as an average Celtic/Roman/Saxon/Norse/Gawdknowswhatelse hybrid, perhaps the lad does share our heritage, Raffaele sounds Italian to me.
We had a campful of Italian POWs in Bristol back in WW2. There was no escape problem as camp conditions were far better than conditions in the Italian army.
They used to mingle with the locals a fair bit, added to the baby boom, too.

[TomB]

But it also has the 'Special' exhaust/footpeg set-up on it, so you would be unable to install the euro footpegs because of frame differences....

Not entirely accurate, the Euro/Ociana 5K7/RH's (Sport) have the same frame and footrest ali brackets/exhausts and also have the most rear set footrests of all XS1100's, so they could be used.

[James England]

James, the Venturer actually has the larger tank; it was the only US model than did (no doubt sourced from the euro bikes). But it also has the 'Special' exhaust/footpeg set-up on it, so you would be unable to install the euro footpegs because of frame differences....

Steve, I think you'll find the frames are the same. What's different are the alloy hangers that hold the footrests and exhaust brackets, not the actual frame. I sent the complete changeover kit to Steelraider.... alloy hangers, both pairs of footrests, gearchange linkage + engine cover with pivot. They all fit straight on..... Interesting re the Venturer tank... I didn't realise it was the same size. In the original Yamaha publicity here in the UK, the capacity of the tank was much vaunted and Yamaha said "Knowing the kind of guy who rides the XS1100 will want to do loads of miles at a stretch, the tank etc etc etc"... all a bit sexist to the modern eye, I suppose.....