New to me '78

[Phyberoptic]

Picked up a '78 XS11 in great running shape and appearing to be mostly original. 31K miles. Has what appears to be a throttle lock, was that a factory option? Got it from it's second owner of over 11 years who reports 1st owner as retired CHP officer.





Ran it down the freeway for a couple of miles and then a couple more in town. Shifts and accelerates well. Rear brakes need servicing, and tires track the freeway grooves (old Dunlop 48x) so going to change them out too.

Otherwise I think it a deal at $500

-=PO

[crazy steve]

Somebody added the throttle lock, that's not a Yamaha accessory. Looks to be in very nice shape, mostly original (Jardeen mufflers, non-stock seat cover) with the dealer-installed fairing. If it's half as nice as it looks in the pics, ya stole it!

[jetmechmarty]

Nice! I like that 66 Chevy too!

[GLoweVA]

Nice! I like that 66 Chevy too!

I like his red bike dolly! That'd be great to move a bike around the garage!

That Trunk is definitely not stock, but it looks big enough to put 2 helmets in!

Looks lilke a steal! And it runs too.

[Phyberoptic]

Thanks,
the seller kept it running, taking it around the block every couple of weeks, even though he hadn't really rode it in like 10 years. It has a dime sized dimple on the tank, and a couple small chips in the fairing, and the carb mounts are dry and cracking but do not leak (tried a WD40 test).

I may get the polish out and see if the paint will shine up, if so get a paint code and have a pint made up for the luggage. Then a few hours with the buffer on the engine case. Tires (looking at the Shinko 230 Tour Masters - Inexpensive and sticky). Then ride out the summer on her.

-=PO

[Phyberoptic]

Nice! I like that 66 Chevy too!

Yeah, she's for sale... set up with two hydralic lifts to do the front/back/side-side hopping. 350 chevy, automatic. Or will trade her for a Road King.

-=PO

[Phyberoptic]

I like his red bike dolly! That'd be great to move a bike around the garage!

That Trunk is definitely not stock, but it looks big enough to put 2 helmets in!

Looks lilke a steal! And it runs too.

The lift is a Harbor Freight deal I picked up with a coupon for $300. It is foot pumped but still saves a ton of wear and tear on my aging back. And it matches the tool box... :-)

-=PO

[crazy steve]

...I may get the polish out and see if the paint will shine up, if so get a paint code and have a pint made up for the luggage...

This is a problem on these bikes; there is no 'paint code'. You'll need to try having the paint matched to existing, something many have tried but no one has reported success... If you do manage to get a good match, please report the 'mix' here...

[Aches n Pains]

$500? Ya' killin' me.

Great find.

[Guest]

I have a twin to yours. Same fairing same bags. Althought someone repainted them. Do u have any keys for the bags? I can not fine anything that will work. Hope your oil filter bolt is not rounded off like mine was?

[lee_dutcher]

great looking scoot you got there wish i could have a standard next to my special... nice kawi u got there too..

[Phyberoptic]

$500? Ya' killin' me.

Great find.

Have another '78 available in Northern California for $500.



runs great.. a bit rough on the eyes.....

-=PO

[natemoen]

Have another '78 available in Northern California for $500.



runs great.. a bit rough on the eyes.....

-=PO

that isn't a '78!

That is a '79 special.

[fredintoon]

Have another '78 available in Northern California for $500. - - - runs great.. a bit rough on the eyes.....

Hi Steve and welcome,
to expand on Nate's post, that's a Special. (Front-mount front wheel, smaller gas tank, 16" rear wheel, other detail differences)
In '78 they only made the Standard.
The first year for Specials is '79. The '80 Special had slotted brake rotors and it's tail light mounted on an aluminum grab rail.
That's how we know that bike is most likely a '79.

[Phyberoptic]

Hi Steve and welcome,
to expand on Nate's post, that's a Special. (Front-mount front wheel, smaller gas tank, 16" rear wheel, other detail differences)
In '78 they only made the Standard.
The first year for Specials is '79. The '80 Special had slotted brake rotors and it's tail light mounted on an aluminum grab rail.
That's how we know that bike is most likely a '79.

So the title and frame numbers match and is listed as a '78. Owner says he's second owner and the tank, seat and a few other parts had been changed over the years.

-=PO