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Patience pays off and thanks to this fabulous forum I am now the proud owner of what I feel is one of the cleanest original examples of the bike I have been searching for for years!
Several months ago a wonderful gentleman by the name of David A. from Michigan responded to my want ad here and simply said "I might have what you're looking for"
Well, that was an understatement. After some freindly conversation and dozens of pictures we began negotiations on an XS11 that David had owned since day 1.
In amazing condition with only 3,364 original miles (that's not a typo!) I made payment and arranged for the wonderful folks at JC Motors to transport this rare beast to me here in Winnipeg.
Lucky for me an old friend who operates a repair shop here is possibly the best XS11 mechanic in the country agreed (with a huge smile) to awaken it from its nearly 20 year slumber.
I found some very old stale gas in the tank and it flushed clean as new (I think there was stablizer in it but still, it was a gooey, smelly mess and happily my clean-up left the insides in perfect condition) Petcocks are being rebuilt and the tank will be the last thing to go on it. A tiny bit of corrosion formed below the fuel catch pan but I'm cleaning it up and having a master painter do that small touch-up.
Gord yanked the carbs and cleaned them to new condition. We added an Odyssey style battery, gave the engine and tranny fresh oil and plugs and it fired up instantly. Oh my, does it sound sweet!
New fork seals and rebuilds of the master cylinders are being performed as I type and new period correct Dunlops are going on as soon as they arrive.
Not a spot of rust and virtually scratch free this bike is a true rare find.
I will post some pictures as soon as it is complete and share my good fortune with the group.
While there is no doubt some unridden examples squirreled away somewhere (I'm sure there may even be one or two still in the crate being hoarded by some obessisive collectors but this one is living, breathing and all mine.
David included the owners manual and a Yamaha shop manual in mint condition, spare oil and air filters and even a new spare headlight assy which he bought "just because" Complete tool kit and the seat is as supple as the day it drove off the showroom floor. No sun fade, never dropped... Perfect!
Patience pays as I have been on the hunt for 20+ years and could not be happier.
Wayne
Several months ago a wonderful gentleman by the name of David A. from Michigan responded to my want ad here and simply said "I might have what you're looking for"
Well, that was an understatement. After some freindly conversation and dozens of pictures we began negotiations on an XS11 that David had owned since day 1.
In amazing condition with only 3,364 original miles (that's not a typo!) I made payment and arranged for the wonderful folks at JC Motors to transport this rare beast to me here in Winnipeg.
Lucky for me an old friend who operates a repair shop here is possibly the best XS11 mechanic in the country agreed (with a huge smile) to awaken it from its nearly 20 year slumber.
I found some very old stale gas in the tank and it flushed clean as new (I think there was stablizer in it but still, it was a gooey, smelly mess and happily my clean-up left the insides in perfect condition) Petcocks are being rebuilt and the tank will be the last thing to go on it. A tiny bit of corrosion formed below the fuel catch pan but I'm cleaning it up and having a master painter do that small touch-up.
Gord yanked the carbs and cleaned them to new condition. We added an Odyssey style battery, gave the engine and tranny fresh oil and plugs and it fired up instantly. Oh my, does it sound sweet!
New fork seals and rebuilds of the master cylinders are being performed as I type and new period correct Dunlops are going on as soon as they arrive.
Not a spot of rust and virtually scratch free this bike is a true rare find.
I will post some pictures as soon as it is complete and share my good fortune with the group.
While there is no doubt some unridden examples squirreled away somewhere (I'm sure there may even be one or two still in the crate being hoarded by some obessisive collectors but this one is living, breathing and all mine.
David included the owners manual and a Yamaha shop manual in mint condition, spare oil and air filters and even a new spare headlight assy which he bought "just because" Complete tool kit and the seat is as supple as the day it drove off the showroom floor. No sun fade, never dropped... Perfect!
Patience pays as I have been on the hunt for 20+ years and could not be happier.
Wayne
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