Trying to save another one

[Aches n Pains]

Picked up a pretty nice 1978 XS1100 E this weekend.







I've owned a couple of XS11s but still have a lot of questions.

1. I don't think that is original paint. Does anyone recognize it? The side covers may be original off another year.

2. I'm having a very difficult time getting the bike up on the center stand. Doesn't seem to have been lowered. Any suggestions?

3. Mufflers are MAC aftermarket. Any suggestions on a Harley replacement and how to fit it?

4. Tank looks good but has been Kreemed. Should I just leave it alone or try to get the Kreeme out to replace with epoxy?

Paid $500 so I don't think I can get too badly hurt.

Thanks in advance and I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Aches n Pains (Doug)

[crazy steve]

Pretty decent looking E... Looks like the only major missing OEM bits is the exhaust and airbox, most of the rest 'hard-to-find' stuff is there.

Paint is custom, sidecovers are OEM. Unless you're planning on a repaint, I'd leave the tank liner. And even then, if the liner is good, I'd leave it. A lot of people have had trouble with the Kreme liners, but if they're done right they hold up.

As far as fitting HD mufflers, you won't have any luck. The MAC collectors are too big (2.5"?), all the Harley muffs come in at 1.75" inlets.

Getting the bike up on the centerstand, well, that's never been particularly easy for any of these bikes... Check to make sure it has the right-sized rear tire (you'll find 120-17s fitted too often) and if the tire is small that doesn't help. You're also missing the 'handle' originally installed just for this purpose; yours was likely removed when the rack was installed (very common problem).

[jetmechmarty]

1. I don't think that is original paint. Does anyone recognize it? The side covers may be original off another year.

It's a repaint. It's not and original color.

2. I'm having a very difficult time getting the bike up on the center stand. Doesn't seem to have been lowered. Any suggestions?

Check and see if it still has a 17 in wheel on back. Check the extended shock length. They should be about 12.5 in.

3. Mufflers are MAC aftermarket. Any suggestions on a Harley replacement and how to fit it?

MASHERMOTO used SUPERTRAPP mufflers for a car on his MAC pipes. It looks like the way to go, IMHO. Here is the thread: Looking for exhaust 79 Special

4. Tank looks good but has been Kreemed. Should I just leave it alone or try to get the Kreeme out to replace with epoxy?

If you're going to paint the tank, remove the liner first. I just went through all that. Read all about it here: Failed tank liner

[Petersg_99]

Nice bike, it's light years ahead of where I started on mine...

[mmatches1]

Looks pretty good and low mileage. I have the same aftermarket mufflers on my 79 and wasn't sure what they were. I just fitted a Dyno Harley muffler to my 81. Had a local muffler shop weld a reducer to accommodate it. Cost $60. They had to expand one end to make it work.

[jetmechmarty]

Unless you're planning on a repaint, I'd leave the tank liner. And even then, if the liner is good, I'd leave it. A lot of people have had trouble with the Kreme liners, but if they're done right they hold up.

I'm going to disagree with you on this one, Steve. I had a tank with what I thought was a good liner in it. I had the tank and side covers painted. As soon as I put gasoline in it, the liner lifted.

You don't know how well the tank was prepped before the liner was installed. You don't know how old it is, either. It may predate ethanol blended gasoline. If so, it's just a matter of time before failure.

I wouldn't put a new paint job on that tank without replacing the liner first. This is based on my own experience.

[mmatches1]

I am not a big fan of Kreem. If it wasn't installed properly it will come off in clumps. I have used POR with good success. If you want to remove it Acetone works but will take the paint off your tank.

[crazy steve]

The point I was trying to make is if replacing the liner, it may be very tough to avoid destroying the paint job. Without knowing why the liner was put in (just to seal rust, or is there some pinholes that will allow the 'liner removing' solvent to get to the exterior paint?), it might be better to at least try to see if it holds up...

I'll agree, Kreem wouldn't be my choice for a liner, but there's more than a few 'Kreem jobs' out there that work just fine.

[bikerphil]

I would run it on the bike with a fuel filter for a while and see if it holds up, then go ahead and paint the tank if it does.

[Aches n Pains]

Thanks, guys.