Basket case questions

[Jaxx79]

I am new to the site, so hello to all. Bikes are my life and racing them my addition. My true love is my Suzuki Hayabusa landspeed racer.

This is my first XS 1100 and it is a real basket case. I am building it for a customer and looking to do as much research as possible.

Any ideas on what the VIN can tell me about what model I have? My Clymer doesn't really say. The sticker on the steering head says it was built 9/78 (not sure if this made it a 78 or 79).

Not sure what model of carbs or how to tell either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Anyone on the site with racing or carb knowledge would be most welcome to contact me. I have a few questions.

That's all for now, love the site, it's very informative.

Jack Harrison
Jaxx Speed Shop
Team Too Fast
Bike #382 - 200 MPH Club Member

[Ken Talbot]

Hi, Jack.

There's an article in the miscellaneous tips section with the info you're looking for to identify the model you're working with. Another good article is the one that discusses some of the differences between various models .

Over the years, the amount of valuable information that has been compiled here at the forum is really quite amazing. You'll want to spend some time checking out the main technical sections, and you'll find the search tool is quite useful too.

Chances are pretty good that somebody here probably has the answers you're looking for - all you gotta' do is ask...

[red bandit]

hi , if yours was made 9/78, it is probably a 79. i think you can turn the headlight off plus high and low on the 78, the 79 only high and low.
i have a 79 special and a 79 standard. there are a lot of differences, mostly cosmetic. the special: round headlight,tach,speedo,more of a teardrop gastank,16" rear wheel. chrome engine side covers,valve cover &front engine mounts and mirrors. tail light smaller , rear fender is shorter, handle bars, front forks & calipers &brake pads, are diff. side covers appear to be the same, but they have diff. location of mounting tabs.
the standard: square headlight,tach,speedo, bigger and boxy gastank. 17" rear wheel. the forks have axle thru the bottom/end of tube. the axle on the special is up about 3" from the bottom and on the front side. the fork assembly will swap. but not the parts. ie:special calipers on standard fork tubes.

there are few other diff. but this should help you see what you have. good luck red bandit

[Jaxx79]

Thanks for the help guys.

Jack

[pggg]

Jax, I'm sorry, but when you get that XS1100 up and running, please tell the customer gently that it ain't no good. We want to see that XS continued with, and turned into a 200mph landspeed racer. Thank you.

[Jaxx79]

Racing fever

pggg,

Talked him into taking the bike to Maxton, NC (standing mile land speed track) with me, so we can race it. I'll keep you guys posted with the results.

From what I've seen (magazines, posts, etc.) I feel pretty good about running 130+ MPH with the stock pistons. The goal for this bike is 140 MPH. Unfortunately it has the aerodynamics of a brick and would take an insane amount of HP to hit 200MPH (probably 350HP or so at the rear wheel). Air is very unforgiving and thick above 150 MPH.

Anyone in the area is more than welcome to stop in and race their bike (with some basic prep) the last weekend in June.

Hit me up if your interested,
Ride safe,
Jack