Looking at a new XS11

[j-thiessen]

Hello all,

Real quick bio: I'm almost done my first project bike; A 1979 XS400. It has been a blast and I frequented the xs400 forum for support and documentation of my project.


So now I find myself about to take a look at a 1979 XS11 soon and I was hoping the forum could give me a heads up of things to look for. I haven't spoken with the owner yet, all I am going off of is this pic:



Through the grapevine i've heard it runs, but needs some electrical work. That is all I know! Perhaps the previous owner was even active on this forum! Any pointers and tips I could get before looking at the bike is very appreciated!

[vedgar]

Spend the big bucks for a mint bike

You will be way ahead by getting the bike that is usually low mileage and mint. It will pay in the end. Same goes for classic cars.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Jthiessen,
Does it come with a Whip to go with the chains
It is a Standard and appears to be mostly there. The seat is not OEM or has been heavily modified. I suspect the back end has been cut or messed with.
They all suffer from varying degrees of "electrical problems' which are curable with patients and skill neither of which I posses
If you have the desire for another project this could be made into a decent ride.
Airbox is missing in the picture. I would not go beyond the $500 asking price if it actually runs well enough to ride otherwise beat him down on the price.
It will need all the usual Tires battery cleaning of carbs in addition to sorting the wiring which will have been hacked at by the previous owner as evidenced by the head lights.
Expect the second gear to need the "fix" after you get it running properly and try out the power
I Estimate $1500 and a lot of work on top of what ever you pay for it to get a useable bike. When running right the XS11 is awesome
Phil

[dpotter58]

Interesting headlight

[Blank Slate]

pay more and get one that runs!

[Radioguylogs]

Do what your heart tell you

Don't let the other members scare you away form this project if it's what you want to do.

Only one of my bikes ran when I bought it...because it was only a year old when I bought it 36 years ago.

It's true it usually cost more money to restore something than it does to buy it already competed, but sometime the journey is what is what is all about. Besides, it seems you are looking to make a customized project, not a stock project, so a lot of the cost to fix it up is going to happen anyway.

I'm a fan of stock, not customized, but I have to say you did a really nice job on your XS400 project.

PS: I see the stock airbox is actually there on you prospective victim- it just looks empty without the battery.

For advice: I would try to find a project with less than 50k miles, even though these bikes last over 100k if properly maintained.

[natemoen]

I have seen pictures of that bike here. I am guessing the owner is a member (or at least was a member). Dig around here and see if you can find it. Sometimes you get some good background info about it.

[j-thiessen]

So it is a 1979 Standard. I am learning something already!

Yes, I'm not a huge fan of the chains... Will definitely address that once I know the bike will run reliably. And is there a full wiring kit available for these bikes? I will definitely get rid of the three level LED headlight ( ) not sure where those would even be street legal.

I've been reading a lot about the dreaded 2nd gear. What is all involved with fixing that?

[Radioguylogs]

...I've been reading a lot about the dreaded 2nd gear. What is all involved with fixing that?

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5090

It's not to be dreaded (that much). I was able to do it without any previous experience...just followed these instructions. It was enlightening to see how everything works.

[kboehringer]

I Estimate $1500 and a lot of work on top of what ever you pay for it to get a useable bike.

j-thiessen,
Last year I purchased a bike in very SIMILAR condition to the one you are considering. I purchased it for $300. I think Phil's estimate of costs to be VERY conservative. If that bike does not run, it's a $300 bike at most.

To get my bike into running and reliable condition it ended up just north of $2,700.00. (including the $300 purchase price) and more than six months to complete the repairs. That did NOT turn the bike into a "SHOWROOM" condition perfect XS11. It turned a pile of crap into a very reliable MOSTLY stock XS11 that is a lot of fun. I had a bunch of fun turning the thing into my favorite ride.

While I worked on that bike, I noticed a couple XS11's for sale locally in "Ready-to-Ride" condition for $2,500. Again, not showroom bikes but very decent looking rides I could have been driving.

Not that I have any plans to sell the bike, but I doubt my XS11 would fetch the $2,700 I spent on it. There are just too many out there in running condition for a whole lot less.

Just my two cents.....

KURT

[motoman]

j-thiessen,
Last year I purchased a bike in very SIMILAR condition to the one you are considering. I purchased it for $300. I think Phil's estimate of costs to be VERY conservative. If that bike does not run, it's a $300 bike at most.

To get my bike into running and reliable condition it ended up just north of $2,700.00. (including the $300 purchase price) and more than six months to complete the repairs. That did NOT turn the bike into a "SHOWROOM" condition perfect XS11. It turned a pile of crap into a very reliable MOSTLY stock XS11 that is a lot of fun. I had a bunch of fun turning the thing into my favorite ride.

While I worked on that bike, I noticed a couple XS11's for sale locally in "Ready-to-Ride" condition for $2,500. Again, not showroom bikes but very decent looking rides I could have been driving.

Not that I have any plans to sell the bike, but I doubt my XS11 would fetch the $2,700 I spent on it. There are just too many out there in running condition for a whole lot less.

Just my two cents.....

KURT

lol......'running condition'........now that's funny, don't care who you are.

[kboehringer]

lol......'running condition'........now that's funny, don't care who you are.

Brent,
You mind explaining that? I don't get your humor? What am I missing?
KURT

[motoman]

Brent,
You mind explaining that? I don't get your humor? What am I missing?
KURT

Those selling tend to lean towards those two words..........may run......maybe even down the road........but tuned to run correctly......highly doubtful 99.9% of the time.