Potential new project

[James England]

Hi James,

I have yet to see a better restoration on any XS1100. Great work - Show winner! If you did consider selling this bike, what price would you ask for it?

Well, the last one I did sold for $8,000. This one is a better job, actually, in that the frame was powder coated and the exhaust is slightly better. I'd be looking for no less than $6,800 for it. Failing that, I'd probably just keep it and give it to my foster son. Maybe in another 20 years, it would be a little nest egg for him!

[James England]

Do all the European xs11s come with the rear turn signals mounted on the license plate? Here in the US the license plate mount was only used when you had hard bags since they cover up the original mount.

Yes, all the Euro models had the turn signals like that. The rear light bracket has two holes and little clamps inside to hold the stems. The round sockets in the frame, where the US signal mounts usually go, were blanked off with rubber grommets.

The stems are extremely difficult to find as NOS and I had the originals rechromed.

[James England]

That is a very well done restoration James.
It looks like it just came out onto the floor at the dealers showroom!

The bike you're bidding on appears to be mostly there, just a bit worse for wear than others. I'd bet it might be a challenge but one you'd be able to easily handle.

Thank you. He he! The good thing here is that the registration plate gives away the age so people do a 'double take' when they see what they think is a new bike and then wonder about the age on plate. On the last bike, someone asked me how I'd managed to get such an old plate on a new bike! Very gratifying.

Yes that other bike is very rough. It would be quite a job but would be worth acquiring, even to hoard for a while as a source of spares for the next one or whatever. It's sat for 10 years with no carbs on, so I bet the valves are rusted open/shut, rusted liners etc. Could be really bad.....

[DiverRay]

James,
NICE JOB! Sorry about not getting back with the pics, but I noticed others here covered it before I could get any... I'm going to try and get some pics up of the '79 that is now going back together. I did a repaint on the frame, not powder coat because I don't like what the salt air here can do in short order if there is ANY break in the coating...
It will NOT be up to your very high standards, but it will have the Pacifico fairing and optional rear box.

[James England]

If you did consider selling this bike, what price would you ask for it?

Well, since you asked this question, it got me thinking. Having finished the bike, I realised the process of restoring them means more to me than possessing it and looking at it. Also, insuring two bikes is expensive and I don't have much space for a collection. Also, when one has put a lot of time and effort and money into something, it's not nice to watch it degenerate again by being used, especially in a rainy country like this. So, I put it on eBay. After 4 days, 42 watchers and 450 views, it sold for $7719 and is going to a bike collector who plans on doing only a few miles a year on it, he says.

So, onwards and upwards. No tears about selling this time. I'm now looking for another one........ Another build thread would definitely be boring, folks, wouldn't it? Basically, the same thing, all over again!!

[natemoen]

You are crazy James! Did you even ride it?

[James England]

You are crazy James! Did you even ride it?

Yes, I did. For about two miles! Just to test it. Yes, it looks a bit crazy, I suppose. I really loved doing this one so much that I want to do another one and I just don't have the space and I'm not a collector type, if you see what I mean. I have the XJR1300 for every day use and the expense and logistics of running more than one bike is really offputting. So the XS would sit there and just get looked at.

I'm already scouring eBay, looking for another European E or F model. I've realised that what appeals to me is the process of getting torn into a miserable looking bike and 'saving' it. It's really rewarding and, for me, more rewarding than actually possessing the finished product...if you see what I mean?

The buyer is extremely pleased

Anyway, I reckon another will come up for sale and I'll do it all again (that's the crazy bit!)

[jetmechmarty]

James,

Your build threads are great! Every one of them! Of course we want to see the next one.

Congratulations on the sale!

[donebysunday]

Please James just love watching !

[Prisoner6]

... So, I put it on eBay. After 4 days, 42 watchers and 450 views, it sold for $7719 and is going to a bike collector who plans on doing only a few miles a year on it, he says ...

And in the blink of an eye ...

IT'S GONE!

Congratulations, James ... but WOW! It's a little surprising considering you had so recently finished Black Beauty II ...

But I do understand your reasons ...

Next build thread, please ...

[James England]

And in the blink of an eye ...

IT'S GONE!

Congratulations, James ... but WOW! It's a little surprising considering you had so recently finished Black Beauty II ...

Yes, only four days. And on to BB III soon, I hope.

[James England]

James,

Your build threads are great! Every one of them! Of course we want to see the next one.

Congratulations on the sale!

Thank you! I'm on the lookout for another bike now. Hopefully one will come up. It would be nice to do over the summer when it's a bit warmer outside. That way, I could spend pleasant hours in the sunshine taking it to pieces etc........

[James England]

Please James just love watching !

hopefully another one will come up for sale. It took a while last time but I'm hoping that one will definitely come up for sale some time. Even two, if I could get them!

[crazy steve]

Another beautiful restoration James... although I don't think I could have sold it quite that fast....

Going to try maybe a different color this time? Didn't Yamaha sell a silver model? Just for a change you know.... LOL.

[Prisoner6]

Going to try maybe a different color this time? Didn't Yamaha sell a silver model? Just for a change you know.... LOL.

I concur ...

James,

How about a different color? You could go with the Diamond Silver that Steve alluded to ...

You could try the New Ruby Red, or even the New Pearl White ... one of your restorations would look amazing in any of these colors!

All three colors were used on European models between '79-'80 ...

Just my $.02

P.S. Keep us posted about your search for another project!