Great Find!

[Doyle]

I'm talking to my neighbor who rides a dual purpose bike, he asks what types of bikes I have. When I told him an 80 XS Standard was one he said, "wow, I have a buddy that bought one new in 79, rode it for 2000 miles and crashed it. He put a tarp on it in 1980 in his custom car shop and it's still there, 24 years later!" I got the guys phone #, called him and he says "come and get it for $300 bucks." I picked it up, bent frame, broken wheels but even the stock exhaust pipes are shiney and undamaged. The big deal is a complete 1980 XS 11 engine and drive train with 2010 miles on it. The carbs don't even have any discoloration inside the float bowls! Does anybody have any ideas re:examining the motor (ie pistons in the same place in the cyl for 2 1/2 decades etc.)?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Doyle,

That's awesome, now go and check out this link, it's in the Misc. section tech tips,

How to check a Neglected XS

Read the part about the ENGINE......BEFORE you attempt to do anything with it, like turn it over, etc.!!! Congrats on a great find.
T.C.

[Shuriken]

It's a once in a lifetime find. The best I can come up with in Utah is trashy, weathered, abused, neglected XS11 bikes with not less than 20k miles.

What are you using for a good luck charm?

Ben

[Doyle]

I know it is a great find, where was it 5 years ago when I rebuilt my original motor from the crankshaft up! I was just staring at it in the garage and realized now I've got spare calipers, rotors, wheel bearings,etc. I have alot of disassembly and packaging to do this summer. By the way, thanks for the advice T.C. I'll research and check the motor out the proper way. At least it has lived indoors in So California so far.

[ratbyk]

Great Find

Doyle, I have a straight 78 XS E frame with swing arm. Shipping would likely be expensive but do able. I paid $250.00 Cdn for it ,wheels, motor complete plus the electrics. If you are interested in the frame/wheels/brake rotors let me know. We should be able to come up with a workable deal.
Contact me at danielsken@shaw.ca and let me know if you are interested in any of it. Between what you have and I have you could build yourself a really low mileage XS.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[Never2L84Ridin]

Doyle,

Sounds like you fell in a pile of turds, and came out smellin like roses. Aewsome find. Good luck with it.

Kevin