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Well it seems like I've been looking forever but I finally picked up a 1979 XS1100SF off of ebay from a dealer in Wisconsin. I had seen the bike on cycle trader a few months back and on their website. I thought their original asking price($1495) was too high for a non-running bike that needed work so I put it to the side like so many others. Flash forward to a couple weeks ago and the bike is on ebay starting at $500. I tried to grab it but got outbid. I figured no worries there will be others. The seller contacts me a few days later with a second chance offer. I guess the auction didn't work out for whatever reason so I contacted them directly and negotiated a price of $500 which included delivery to my garage!
So now the work begins. It has to be completely gone through.....new tires, carbs cleaned, brakes flushed, fluids/filter changed, general cleanup chrome polishing.... all the usual stuff. Speaking of carbs they are completely frozen with varnish! I pulled them off last night and nothing moves at all..haa. Once I pull them apart and a thorough cleaning I think they should be fine.
The bike really isn't in too bad a shape. The original tool kit is there and the emergency kicker. The side covers are not cracked at all and in good shape. The original seat is nice with one small tear at the bottom side. The tank has some varnish/rust, can't tell which, but I put in some fresh fuel along with some seafoam and I'm letting that sit off to the side to see if that will help clean it up a bit. It has some funky orange striping on the side covers and tank which I don't care for but it looks as though they were done by someone with experience.
There is only a few things missing that I see so far.....the bolt that holds the top of the air box. There's also a breather hose that is attached to a metal bracket just hanging which I don't know where that goes to yet(It's by the battery breather hose). Also the lower half of the air box is missing. The mirrors appear to be aftermarket. The rear grab bar is also missing. The only thing I plan on changing is the handlebars and adding a kickstart lever...I hear the XS850 one works? Once I get it cleaned up this should be a nice driver. Fingers crossed the engine turns over after I put a little Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders today and the transmission doesn't have any issues.
If anyone has anyone has any tips or comments or any of the parts I need let me know. Thanks.
So now the work begins. It has to be completely gone through.....new tires, carbs cleaned, brakes flushed, fluids/filter changed, general cleanup chrome polishing.... all the usual stuff. Speaking of carbs they are completely frozen with varnish! I pulled them off last night and nothing moves at all..haa. Once I pull them apart and a thorough cleaning I think they should be fine.
The bike really isn't in too bad a shape. The original tool kit is there and the emergency kicker. The side covers are not cracked at all and in good shape. The original seat is nice with one small tear at the bottom side. The tank has some varnish/rust, can't tell which, but I put in some fresh fuel along with some seafoam and I'm letting that sit off to the side to see if that will help clean it up a bit. It has some funky orange striping on the side covers and tank which I don't care for but it looks as though they were done by someone with experience.
There is only a few things missing that I see so far.....the bolt that holds the top of the air box. There's also a breather hose that is attached to a metal bracket just hanging which I don't know where that goes to yet(It's by the battery breather hose). Also the lower half of the air box is missing. The mirrors appear to be aftermarket. The rear grab bar is also missing. The only thing I plan on changing is the handlebars and adding a kickstart lever...I hear the XS850 one works? Once I get it cleaned up this should be a nice driver. Fingers crossed the engine turns over after I put a little Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders today and the transmission doesn't have any issues.
If anyone has anyone has any tips or comments or any of the parts I need let me know. Thanks.
Ask nicely and there is probably one nearby.
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