XS11 Pensacola - Resto/Mod

[kboehringer]

XS11 Friends,
I've been absent for a while working on an XJ project (SECA) and haven't posted more than a couple times here in months.

I'M BACK! With a new project!

This one we call "Pensacola" as that's where we got her from.


This machine was in pretty rough cosmetic condition but amazingly started right up the day I got her home with a quick carb clean and a jump start. The previous owner was trying to resurrect her but was unfortunately killed on his newer Honda. The widow said it hadn't been started in years....

This build will be SIMILAR to the Dead Duck some of you are already familiar with. But it will have some significant differences......



Although time has been limited due to work demands and the SECA project, I have made some progress:

• The Wheels were replaced with my favored XJ variety and painted to match the bike
• The tires are new Pirelli's and both wheels have new bearings and seals in all locations..
• Forks were rusted terribly and they've been replaced cleaned and re-sealed.
• The tank and seat are remnants from a 79e hulk I grabbed for $100.
• Front fender has been modified very much the same as Dead Duck.
• I accidentally purchased some flat-tracker bars and I tossed 'em on and I like the function and the look.
• Foot pegs are XJ variety to replace the worn out '79's
• I have a Yamaha Accessory Fairing painted and ready with the proper mounting kit (Like Mayberry and Ugly Duck) just no windscreen found yet.
• My next project on this is to modify a HD Fender for the back and completely re-design the butt end of this thing. I want to stick with Yamaha parts wherever possible so it may get an XJ rear lamp.... anything different!
• It's likely I'll do the Hog muffler deal here too as they are just so well made, fit great, and I got a spare pair for something like $20! Can't beat that!

Nancy picked the color.... I don't care for RED hues but this isn't too bad?

I'll keep ya'll posted..... Hopefully the PICs work?

Sincerely,

[madmax-im]

Wow Kurt..it is really an awesome thing to see your collection and Thankyou for resurrecting these fine machines. I suspect you are just about out of room for anything else...Wish i still had a vintage ride but at this point I'm just lucky to have any ride at all...Look forward to the updates and such...

[kboehringer]

Still Room on the Roof!

I suspect you are just about out of room for anything else...

Ben,
There is still some room on the roof!

Nancy said I could put one or two in my home office so there is still room for; an RD400 Daytona, SR500 and maybe a couple more I'm looking for

Kurt

[madmax-im]

LMAOooo

[Radioguylogs]

Used to be, whenever Kurt got a bike, one seemed to fall into my lap about the same time.

I called it "keeping up with the Boehringers".

I have to surrender, as I have fallen behind @ 6 bikes.

[kboehringer]

A little father's day work....

XS11 Friends,
I'm trying to make a LITTLE progress on Pensacola today... Grandson is visiting from South Carolina but I was able to slip away for a few minutes and mount the fairing I've had waiting for a while.



Found an OEM mounting kit for the XS1100 in the original packaging but the rubber grommets were a PITA since they are new but 40 years old.... Momma's hair dryer softened them up enough to allow me to get them installed. Unfortunately I don't have a windscreen for this fairing but hope to find one....



I realize the gas cap for this tank is total pooo. Been looking without success for a "Decent" replacement. If no joy, I will likely sandblast this and just paint it....



I might get a chance to work on the "new" rear fender. The plan is to paint this the body color which I think will help tie everything together.....Not Sure?




It's a Harley something or another, not sure what it's from. It was $10 at a garage sale so I grabbed it (I am definitely a pack rat for Motorcycle parts.)


The OEM fender is really badly rusted and I had to BEAT it sort of straight with a big mallet. Might have left the butt end alone had this stuff been in good shape.....

When I make some progress on the rear fender and etc. I'll post up....

KURT

[earl G]

that is a nice bike collection you have there.
small to big
gas cap, i got mine power coat when i did my tank, cut down on the sun reflecting in face.

[kboehringer]

Letting Mike Catch Up!

that is a nice bike collection you have there.
small to big
gas cap, i got mine power coat when i did my tank, cut down on the sun reflecting in face.

Thanks Earl.... I've got my eyes on a couple more, but I have to take a break and let Mike catch up first!

Hope to see you again at the Vintage Yamaha Rally (Formerly XSSE)?
Kurt

[madmax-im]

You may be storing these in your office ..or on the roof..LOL but you're gonna need a real big trailer getting all these beauties to the VYR ..Either that you get 6 others together and you all just ride 'em...Would make a nice pack...

[kboehringer]

HD Fender.... Maybe not good choice...

XS11 Friends,

Trying to make some progress on the fender....


Had to cut 1" out of the center of the fender and weld it back together, HD fenders are WIDE.

Gonna have to trim it some, looks too out of place on a café bike. Using tape-off stripes to determine the final shape.... Still unsure about this.

I KNOW I want a Painted rear fender.... just not sure this is the best choice... YET.

KURT

[kboehringer]

Blasting away the grime and corrosion

XS11 Friends,
Although I SHOULD BE working on the SECA, or tuning up one of the other 11's, I've been investing some very limited and valuable time in Pensacola. Got the rear brake done, wet sanded and buffed the tank, and a couple other misc. items.

I was hopeful I could have this machine ready for the VINTAGE YAMAHA RALLY (previously known as XSSE). But I'm not certain my overwhelming work schedule will allow enough time to get this one complete....

Realistically, I need to pull the motor out of this frame and have the frame Powder Coated. I was blasting some other misc. parts and wanted to see if I could get 40 years of leaking valve cover crud off the motor. This bike also spent its entire life in a coastal area (Pensacola) so all the aluminum is corroded too.



I've tried every chemical I can think of to get this hardened crap off. The media blasting works good on the HARDENED stuff but anything that is still a little pliable is too "Bouncy". It's certain, this valve cover was leaking for YEARS and YEARS and never addressed.

I've got work to perform on all the bikes before the rally and still haven't decided which ones we will take for riding, showing, and a spare (just in case I or someone else needs an 11 for a day or two)

Gonna be burning the midnight oil for A LOT of days to get this baby where I want her to be.....

[3Phase]

Kurt,

Try soaking a shop rag in parts dip, the stuff in a can with the holy basket.

Gently wrap the rag around the area of the frame you want to clean.

Wrap the wrapped rag in plastic wrap or a small trash bag to hold the rag in place and keep the solvents, uh, solvent, and in contact with the crud so it can do its job.

Depending on the type of solvents you're allowed in your area, it may eat the plastic and you'll have to use waxed paper, aluminum foil, or whatever you can find around the house/garage but you get the idea, I'm sure.

[kboehringer]

Berryman's Works GOOD!

……. the stuff in a can with the holy basket..... SNIP
Depending on the type of solvents you're allowed in your area...…. SNIP

Scott,
THANKS!!! Took your advice (slightly modified) and the results are VERY good. The primary problem is the ENGINE. It is (or was) a total PIG! Not one single cross through vent hole between the cylinders was open. I'm talking a ridiculous amount of crud. NO WAY did this guy ever clean this machine.... in ANY way!

I just happened to have TWO cans of "Berryman's Carb (and parts) Cleaner" the older can hadn't seemed to be doing the trick after dozens of dirty carbs and misc. parts. I put this old can's contents into a spray bottle and SOAKED the motor with it. I continued to soak the motor over and over all day in the HOT Georgia sun. I just sprayed it off and it looks VERY good. Piles of ^#&$ just running off.

Obviously, this stuff is designed for use on COLD parts vs. the typical engine cleaner that wants a warm engine (not possible at this time). Also, this is probably not a good choice at about $30 a can and the California libs in your area would likely hang you by a delicate body part for using this stuff.

Thanks for the advice Scott. Wouldn't have thought of this one! Photos later.....

Thanks again,

[3Phase]

You're welcome!

Be careful with that sprayer, you never know what the guts are made from. If it doesn't like Berryman's it'll start squeaking like the commercial with the green jello in the old lady's lap before it explodes.

I was sitting in the garage trying to do pretty much the same type of tedious thing with small brushes and stuff, then thought, "WHY! am I doing this?" I grabbed a rag and parts cleaner, then let the chemicals do the work.

[kboehringer]

Too bad no pre-cleaning photos.....

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pre-cleaning photos. Take my work for it..... It was a complete PIG. The Berryman's got it CLOSE to clean.





Personally, I don't like a dirty motor. No reason for it.

NOW, I can start working on this thing.....