Goodbye 750SE hello XJ early christmas

[Shawn27530]

Hello Guys and Gals,

I have been lurking this forum for quite some time reading about these bikes. First I want to say thanks for all the info.
Well I knew I wanted an 1100 Yamaha and today things just fell right into place.
I sold my 78 XS750SE to a friend at work, and today I stopped by my friends motorcycle shop to shoot the b.s. and he had a Yamaha over in the corner sporting 4 head pipes. I got a big smile on my face and he said you ain't getting that, that one is mine!! So after an hour of shootin the s#$% and begging him to sell it to me and $425.00 she is sitting in my garage with all of her 15k on the odo. He bought it from the original owner. The bike is in great shape with the factory exhaust and everything else is stock also. Its even got the chain lock on the right side. I hate to say it, (ducking and dodging flying debris as I say this) but I like the way the XJ is setup over the XS. I just have a few questions and I am sure it has been covered on this forum before so if maybe some of you can just point me to a thread that would be great. What if any are the engine differences between the XJ and XS and will most parts interchange. I do know I need some intake boots. Thanks in advance, Shawn

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Shawn,

Awesome find and deal!!!! Welcome from out of the shadows!
The Engines are pretty much the same, aside from the alternator, and YICS ports in the head, oil level sensor in bottom of tranny pan, no vacuum advance unit on left side crank, all ignition advances are controlled by TCI and accessory vacuum box/sensor.
But the mechanics are essentially the same. Have you read about the intake boots....they can be repaired....they usually looked quite cracked on the outside, but they are dual layered, and the inner layers can be totally okay, just need to slather a layer of black RTV or liquid rubber on the outside to cosmetically seal/cover the external cracks. With only 15kmiles, you shouldn't need much in the way of parts, aside from perhaps some clutch friction plates, and perhaps some valve shims, brake pads, tires and other expendable supplies!
T.C.

[Shawn27530]

Thanks for the welcome,

Yeah, I read about the boots in FAQ, we have some cool sealant at work we use to seal aircraft fuel tanks so I will use some of that. Ok I am going to play dumb here what is YICS? And does the XJ have the kick starter guts inside the case, I see the plug. I want to install a kicker.

[TopCatGr58]

YICS, Yamaha Induction Control System, IIRC, a fancy way to even out the vacuum pulses amongst the carbs, allegedly to provide better emissions controls and mileage. You'll need to fashion a plug for when you want to syncrhonize the carbs!

No...no kick starter parts inside, and it's a real pain to want to install them, I believe it would involve splitting the cases to be able to insert the needed gears/shafts. The TCI won't work if the voltage drops below 10V anyways. It's fairl rare for the need to use a kickstarter, so just be happy with the electric start, keep a good strong battery, and a set of jumper cables if you're that worried about it!!

T.C.

[Shawn27530]

Yeah, I guess you are right about the kicker,

Heck, come to think of it I hardly ever use the kicker on the 850 unless I am at a crowded gas station or at the Yamaha dealer, people give you a funny look when you whip out a kick starter.

Thanks for the info.

[lsippell]

The Best Looking!

Shawn,

Don’t do any ‘ducking and dodging flying debris’. The XJ is the best looking of the Yamaha 1100’s (my turn to duck and dodge). I’m on my third one since 1982, and if something was to happen to this one, I’d get another!

Louis

[wingnut]

Welcome NC Rider

Shawn, I too was guilty of hanging around the site without a XS and found one early in the fall but not the great deal you found!! Glad to find another XS rider in eastern NC. I'm just a nice ride toward the beach from you in Havelock so if your headed this way give a shout and we will turn it into a mimi XS fun ride. BTW I just tripped over a 79 standard thats been in a barn (really) for the last 12 years. I'm going to look at it this weekend. Maybe only for parts but the price is real good. Just have to figure a place to hide it from SWMBO

[Shawn27530]

Well I'll be darn there is life in NC......j/k, Yeah we will have to hook up sometime, maybe do some wrenchin or riding. I like to talk bikes over a brew or two. The old lady (dang she hates when I call her that) has been begging me to take her down your way and ride the ferrys to the lighthouses and such, this spring we will have to do that. As far as the standard goes I like em, I love the tank, and not to many of them around. My 850 is a standard, which I bought in Havelock from the original owner with 3,700 miles on it.

Ok another abbreviation illiterate here.....What does SWMBO stand for? I know it has something to do with the wife. I'll probably feel like a dummy once you tell me.

And as far as the Maxim being better looking, well I'll have to agree, that tank is slick, isn't it?

[DiverRay]

Shawn;
SWMBO = She Who Must Be Obeyed. We all know why...

[bandet01]

hey wingnut if you dont get that 79 standard i might be interested in it i really like the standards and i need to find another one for my bro since his virago has went doen hill and needs fixed so keep me updated if you get it or not and plus i have a 1979 xs1100 right now and it is my style of bike

[wingnut]

Barn bike 79

I talked to the guy today and I'm going to look at it Friday.I'll keep you posted. From what he says the original owner died 6 years ago and its just been sitting there. May have to jump thru some hoops to get a clear title. I'm checking with the NC DMV in the am.

[Shawn27530]

Well guys,

I didn't have the heart to let the 750SE go. I called my co worker tonight and told him I will give his money back. He didn't have a problem with it being he is leaving in one week and I still have to reassemble the front brakes now that it is all rebuilt.

[wingnut]

Like trying to give up on one of the kids .... just can't do it. Now if you can figure out the XJ you'll have a full set.