It was all good until....

[MRevet80]

Well the verdict is in the crank has snapped, and things are looking down as far as getting any more riding in any time soon. The further I tear into the motor, the more rust I find. Looks like I got hosed on this purchase. If anyone knows where to get the best price on parts or if you know of a cheep motor, let me know.

[natemoen]

Finding a different engine is the best and easiest remedy.

[DGXSER]

The replacemnt engine is going to be the quickest and most likely cheapest option for you. WIth your being in the Northern middle section of Canada, I am sorry but my local sorces will be of no help to you really.

[BA80]

http://www.xs11.com/forum/member.php?u=42

[trdriver71]

Have you disassembled the engine I would like to see some pics of that broken crankshaft.

[Brad]

$150 score

Through a little search and turning one 1/4 of an expensive bike down. (Plugs out, seized, no carbs, no front end, tank or seat) Mike found a fully dressed 78 that has been parked for 10 years for $150 bucks. She ran this evening. Transplant is comming next and he wants to sell the hard bags, brackets, front fairing.

[DGXSER]

That is a sweet looking 78. Hate to think it is going to parts, but one of about has to at this point.

[natemoen]

I want those bags and trunk! Why do you have to be in Canada!

[Lonerider62]

First things First

Some may disagree with me on this, but I think it would be a good idea to have a sticky on here that advises new owners to be sure that their engine is at least in decent condition before spendng a lot of money on the cosmetics of their new find only to discover they need an engine. I was lucky. I spent the best part of three weeks reading every thread I could find on here relative to the engine once I found a bike I wanted to purchase. By the time I actually put the trailer behing my car for the 600 mile treck to Minneapolis to pick the bike up, I knew what I as in for and what I should be checking first to insure I ended up with a good working motorcycle as well as one that was good looking. The information was/in on here, it's just a matter of knowing what needs to be uncovered to discern the "real" condition of a machine. I really feel for the guys who think they have found a real deal, only to be disapointed because of a motor that is beyond reasonable repair.
I was one of the lcky ones, the bike looked very good and it only took about another 600-700 to makeit as reliable as it looked and now Id ride the thing anywhere with the same confidence as I have in my FZ1. Of course, with a 32 years old motorcycle, there are bound to be failures that ust can't be foreseen. There are also a bunch that can be eliminated.

[MRevet80]

Have you disassembled the engine I would like to see some pics of that broken crankshaft.

I will be finnishing the tear down of the old motor in a little while. Right now focused on doing the swap, but yes I will post pics of the guts from the old one

[MRevet80]

I want those bags and trunk! Why do you have to be in Canada!

You do know that we have shipping companies in Canada.

[Rasputin]

Yeah but do you know what it costs to ship any distance? It aint pretty to ship to the states price wise. I just sent a pair of hardbags down south so I now know.

[Joab]

Yeah but do you know what it costs to ship any distance? It aint pretty to ship to the states price wise. I just sent a pair of hardbags down south so I now know.

And that is the biggest reason they went to someone else and not to me...spendy spendy

[MRevet80]

Some may disagree with me on this, but I think it would be a good idea to have a sticky on here that advises new owners to be sure that their engine is at least in decent condition before spendng a lot of money on the cosmetics of their new find only to discover they need an engine. I was lucky. I spent the best part of three weeks reading every thread I could find on here relative to the engine once I found a bike I wanted to purchase. By the time I actually put the trailer behing my car for the 600 mile treck to Minneapolis to pick the bike up, I knew what I as in for and what I should be checking first to insure I ended up with a good working motorcycle as well as one that was good looking. The information was/in on here, it's just a matter of knowing what needs to be uncovered to discern the "real" condition of a machine. I really feel for the guys who think they have found a real deal, only to be disapointed because of a motor that is beyond reasonable repair.
I was one of the lcky ones, the bike looked very good and it only took about another 600-700 to makeit as reliable as it looked and now Id ride the thing anywhere with the same confidence as I have in my FZ1. Of course, with a 32 years old motorcycle, there are bound to be failures that ust can't be foreseen. There are also a bunch that can be eliminated.

I do agree with you that a person should have some idea about what they are about to buy, but it doesnt matter how hard you look or what you know, sometimes you get a bad deal. The world is full of untrusting F#%k heads that are just waiting to take advantage of you. I have a 1983 Yamaha 200cc three wheeler that runs great and is very reliable. You can read all the info and blogs you want about that bike, but you would never know that all the bearings in the rear end and final drive have been JB welded in.
The fact is that buying used is a gamble, some times you win and some times you lose. What you learn along the way is your success. Don't ever claim to be an expert on something because when you get "dooped" (and you will), then you really look like an idiot.

[MRevet80]

Yeah but do you know what it costs to ship any distance? It aint pretty to ship to the states price wise. I just sent a pair of hardbags down south so I now know.

You just don't know the right people. All you have to do is get it to the states then ship it from there. Not that hard people, just timing.