Yamaha in the future?

[UJM]

After selling the GL500, I've been lurking the 'lists of the world looking for what would be the next project bike.

Requirements:

• Must be something I can and will work on
• Prefer vintage Japanese
• Wanting to return to a "big block" again, something about displacement.....
• Hopefully a real "UJM" (go figure...)
• Should not be in need of a lot of work
• Must meet my old rule of thumb, a buck a cc or less
• Able to be ridden hundreds if not thousands of miles at a time (weekend), comfortably and quickly when desired. Reliably.
• Probably a few other things, it's too cold to think right now.....

OK, I stumbled on what might be the bike





1979 Yamaha XS1100 - 30,000 miles

Needs a carb cleaning, intake boots, who knows what else, looks fairly good though from the pictures -

The guy would be willing to trade even up for my CB750 drag bike, I'm not sure I want to let that one go - the XS is a hair over 2 hours away, I'm thinking hard about it -

Imagine it as a Kenny Roberts Replica, in the lines of the Kawasaki Eddie Lawson Replica or the Suzuki Wes Cooley replica - Yellow with bumble bee stripes, similar to the TZ750 or RZ350 paint scheme -

The windscreen on the bike as it is in the pictures would not make it home, call it gone (or instand eBay item) - I'd leave it without or go with a 1/4 cafe fairing, ZRX style....

Downsides, the XS11 was known to be a poor handler, I might be able to live with that, must experience it to decide -

Upsides, well, there are quite a few -

What, what do you think????

[HondaJim]

Do it.

If not, get an 83 Virago. I used to have one of them and I wish I had it back to chop up and customize.

[UJM]

Title problems, not going to be that one.

It was worth considering, heck, I might focus in on a XS11, they seem to have a fairly strong following, are somewhat unique and have a boatload of torque.

Handling issues are fairly easily addressed, and there are fixes for every other little issue, it seems.

I dunno, going to take my time......

Thanks for taking the time to comment HondaJim, much appreciated!

[mrhonda1987]

The torque is phenomenal. Almost as good as my 919, but 30 years old. My dad has two of them. Kinda quirky, but a hoot to ride. So long as your not thinking about tearing up too many corners, its a great ride. I think I might hijack his this summer when i wanna just go cruise around. Suppose I'll have to buy a Yamaha jacket then...

[tarenson]

I had an '82 XS1100 - a torque monster indeed - with excellent power for its day. Some noticable shaft jacking, but not too bad. It's only a 2-valve engine; a good-running Zuke 1000 4-valver from the same era will give it fits!

[UJM]

Originally Posted by tarenson

I had an '82 XS1100 - a torque monster indeed - with excellent power for its day. Some noticable shaft jacking, but not too bad. It's only a 2-valve engine; a good-running Zuke 1000 4-valver from the same era will give it fits!

Oh yeah, the GS1100E was a great machine, had a 1980, I'm considering one of those as well, but a later model with the welded crank.

Sure like shafts though, low to no maintenance is sweeeeet!

Thanks!!!!

[UJM]

Well, here is another one I'm considering.....




Needs attention, remove the saddlebag mounts and luggage rack/back rest, the crash bar/driving lights, a lot of little things -

What to do.....

[brian]

I was gonna metion the gs. My buddy had one that would scream! I've always wanted to do a long and low one... They're cool, but ya can't go wrong with an old cb1000 either now.

[mrhonda1987]

The XS's are great. If they don't want too much, I'd go for it.

[V65rider]

The XS 750's and 850's were great bikes, they were very picky about clean carbs and spark plugs. Other than that I put about 20,000 miles on my xs 750.