Disturbing trend?

[randy]

Each week I see at least three XS's being parted out on ebay. I wonder where they're all coming from? Part of me is disturbed that they're being broken up.

But I like shopping for parts!

[Dragonrider]

I think a lot of 'em come from here:

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6541

A wrecking yard must have titles for the vehicles it has . . . and there is regulation (at least in this state) to make sure they do . . . but ebay sellers have no such incentive . . . bike thievery is at an all time high.

Also, new bike prices are way down . . . the Honda 919 . . . which is basically a modern, water-cooled, injected, bad ass in-line 4 . . . is only about $8000 brand new . . . and many other bikes are in that range as well . . . it'll go farther and faster and furrier than an XS . . .

A solid running, clean XS can still go for $2200 around here . . . and that's a 25 year old machine . . . with 30-50 thousand miles on it.

With incentives, low interest rates and such, it's easier to buy the new one . . . (can walk out with one without dropping a dime . . .)

I think you've just gotta love the breed.

[MAXIMAN]

I too am saddened when I see one going down. It's really kinda weird. I guess some sort of nostalgic sickness many of us suffer.

I have seen several in the past few months I wanted to save but feared a divorce . I did however manage to snag Kong from the jaws of the junker.

There must stil be quite a few out there running though. TKAT told me last week he had sold a total of 1400 fork braces for the 1100. And I see way more 11s without TKATs than with.

But it gives me night sweats about the demise of the great bike...

At times I feel like the little kid on the spooky movie...


I see.......... dead elevens

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by Dragonrider
With incentives, low interest rates and such, it's easier to buy the new one . . . (can walk out with one without dropping a dime . . .)

I think you've just gotta love the breed.

I think that's great if you can really afford one. But I've got too many friends that hock their childrens future just to ride a new bike. Sad thing is they put about 2K a year on one....they don't really even use it.

I on the other hand am one of those few people that could afford to ride just about whatever I wanted. But I can't do it....at least not in terms of new cruisers. Now don't get offended here anyone....but I think the new cruisers just SUCK. I have NO use for V-Twins and Harley wanna bees. Actually I have no use for Harleys.

BUT THAT'S JUST MY UN-INFORMED OPINION...

So don't take it personally people.

Of course I wouldn't mind having any of the new I-4s (usually in a sport) and I kinda like the sixes to... Too bad they don't make a smokin' I-4 with a cruiser or standard styling.

[81xsproject]

I may be the selfish one here but without these part bikes my bike would never end up on the road. Without ebay I wouldn't be comming toward the mobile point of my XS restration. I say "mobile point" cuz I don't think it will ever be "fully" restored. So gentleman, keep one on your bike and the other on ebay.
JC

PS good luck bidding against me, I got the edge! Ha ha!

[scalded dog]

I just saved an "80 xs 11, I have three 79 xs 11s, one for parts, My brother wanted an xs like I have, so we bought it off e-bay for $595, the carbs were shot, had an extra set, transferred the 110 jets, to my set that uses 137, it runs great, had 26,000 on it, very dirty, dented tank, 2inch risers, ugly after market fairing attached partly by hose clamps, my extra parts bike has original faring and bags, I'm tansferring a lot of parts, but it will be one more xs 11 back on the road. now I will have to hunt up another parts bike. Later 'Dog

[TopCatGr58]

Ooooh Scalded Dog,

You say you put 110 Main jets into a carb set that originally used 137?? You're probably running way too lean!!! Have you checked those plugs for signs of any color vs. bleach white, or burning off of the electrode!?!? Those earlier 79 carbs share the pilot circuit with the mains so that's why they used the 137 sized jets, so the 110's are way to small. In the 80-81 series the pilot circuit got its own jet, and so they could reduce the mains down to the 110-120 range.
T.C.

[Jerry]

Local Harley dealer is advertising brand new 833s for $6,500, actually just under that. A neighbor bought his wife one.

I, too, don't like to see the bikes broken up, but all of us know the time and effort it can take to get one of these critters running reliably can, and usually does, require an investment of more than the bike is worth. Not a lot of people are willing to do it.

On the other hand, membership in this group is also going up, as are prices on good running XS and XJ 1100s. I've a couple theories why. One is nostalgia, as a lot of people remember these bikes. Another is multi-function use; you can build a performance, touring, show, rat bike, or trike from an XS or XJ. Hard to do that with most other old bikes out there! A third reason is the styling, which although dated, still has a strong appeal because you can work on these things without tearing off a couple dozen body parts to get to a spark plug. Face it, there are very few 'starter' bikes out there, so a used bike, particularly shaft driven, with an air-cooled 95hp in-line 4, has a lot of appeal.

I can't take on more hardware; in addition to two storage sheds full of stuff, my back yard won't handle it. (I've an understanding landlord, not to mention wife, as it is.)

FWIW, this trend is reflected in my other two hobbies, snomobiling and Scout 4x4s. The old performance stuff is going up in price and more 'parting-out' ads are showing up to cash in. The XS/XJ are not alone! All I can hope to do is to preserve what I can, which is less than I would like, and encourage others to do the same.

[scalded dog]

Hey TC, I havn't checked it, but I will tommorow. I may need to go back to the 137. Later 'Dog

[Czekus21]

Then you have a person like me. The XJ I have may be seeing the "parting out list" That is if I can't get a title for it. I probably could go through the mail order title stuff, but what I've got into it and what it's going to take to get her running, let alone looking half way decent, may be more then I'm willing to invest into this beast. I'll know more as the year goes on and I start to tear into it.
A person also has to think that with the availability of parts for the XS and XJ. It takes parts to keep em goin. It also takes people who care about their ride and will service and take care of it. Stuff last alot longer if you don't flog on it all the time. These bikes are old and can take a floggin but like anything else, Abuse em long enough and then you have extra parts.

[dpotter58]

I have had a bunch of knot heads look at the '81 M.S. I'm driving now and ask about the 11s. These are classic bikes that run and ride very nicely.
When looking at new bikes (that all look alike) for several thousand dollars, I'm surprised more folks aren't into the older bike thing.
As for myself, I don't care for the V-twins and really do not understand the idea of the Harley knock offs. If you want the H-D look and ride, buy one. I'll go with the inline 4s any day.

[skids]

Well, I sure like the looks of the new Victory!

[prometheus578]

Skids, have you seen the Victory "8"Ball? Pretty neat lookin'

As for old bikes vs. newer ones.... Bah!
Old bikes every time!
Same as older vehicles. The average car costs $600 a year in maintenance. Compare that with a new car... payments, interest, insurance. (that's why I drive an 81 Blazer) (That, and if I take the seat and tank off, and tilt the handle bars forward, I can back the XS into it. No, mine didn't break down, I was picking up a "parts bike")

Hey, these things are 25 yrs old. So this year you need forkseals or have to clean your brake calipers. Big deal. Still doesn't compare to the expense of a new bike.

[ratbyk]

Victory

The Victory is a cruiser is it not? I read some where lately that:
"Discussing which was the fastest cruiser was like arguing as to who was the sexiest lady down at the old peoples home"
Why would anyone want a 2 cylinder M/C when they could have a 4 or a 6 cylinder even?
Beats me.
Ken/Sooke

[Materi]

Originally posted by dpotter58
I'll go with the inline 4s any day.

Ya gotta have four in a row to get up and GO!!!