Would you buy a Yamaha XS 1100LH Midnight Special

[Cyrano]

LOL, Cyrano. They seem about on par with my 1150 for mpg.

My 1.1s had a small tank (can't remember exactly) but on one 'enthusiastic' ride I had to switch to reserve after only 80 miles.

[GS1150Pilot]

Mine held something like 5 gallons and would go 180 miles, no problem.

[alke46]

I only get about 35 or so on the 1150. I don't remember the XS being quite as thirsty as the 1150.

I better check my 1000E to see if it has the 1150 engine it in. I only get around 36 maybe as high as 39 on a good tank. I just figured it was my heavy wrist.

[nejeff]

I have owned an 80' xs1100 special...it got "released" in favor of my current GS850G. It was my first bike back after a full 10 year motorcycle layoff. I just could not do the "L" type seat anymore.

Funny this topic comes up, I just finished the carbs for a 78' standard XS1100 last night and am anxiously awaiting the beast up and running so I can check 2nd gear!sss1.jpg

[nejeff]

Here is a pic of the 78'y1.jpg

[GS1150Pilot]

Ah, yeah. When I bought mine, it had all that touring crap tacked on. First thing I did was jettison it. I don't mind dedicated tourers like the GLs and Voyagers, but I can't stand those mongoloid fairings and chintzed on tailboxes. That crap weighed a ton.

[Grimly]

Here is a pic of the 78'[ATTACH=CONFIG]46666[/ATTACH]

Why was it stuffed with brown paper?

[nejeff]

Why was it stuffed with brown paper?

Haha, yeah...leaves. Jackazz who I bought it from bought it from and old guy in nice shape. He then let the damn lay, yes lay, on the ground and get all dirty and crap. Had a decent cover to he didn't use. He was an idiot. A piece of wood under the kickstand would have done wonders for it. Actually in decent shape despite his lack of care...

[wymple]

I read an article about a top fuel drag bike XS1100 that used the stock crank & rods on nitro. There was one year only (I forget which) that the the XJ1100 came in a pretty small frame. And the torque on those babies won more than a couple high profile races.

[GS1150Pilot]

The XS I had would easily pull the front wheel off the ground if you were injudicious with throttle when launching.

[Buffalo Bill]

Stonking = potent-and large.

Mine was the standard version. I had superbike bars on it, did pods, a 4-1 and jetted it, repainted it, re-covered the seat, stainless brake lines, overhauled all the hydraulics. Rode it for two years trouble free. You have to check 2nd gear on them, because it seems every big bore Yamaha of that decade had issues with them.

I almost bought one, all high bars and cruiser, about $1500 asking price. Took a short test ride on it, way too Peter Fonda for me.
Bought my 1100G right after, and stripped that down to just a standard bike.

[hillsy]

As mentioned here the 2nd gear issue happened on lots of bikes. Not 100% sure but I think it had something to do with the larger throw to get past neutral that contributed to the damage.

We had a guy in our shop that just came in on Fridays and spent all his day under cutting dogs for GS's, KZ's, ZZR (ZX), etc.

The XS1100 can be fairly easily converted to chain drive as it has a secondary gearbox that houses the front bevel. You can remove that and get access to the output shaft to add a sprocket. The biggest problem is there is not a lot of room and this limits you to quite a small front sprocket. Probably not a big deal for a drag bike, but not ideal for a street bike.

[GS1150Pilot]

I almost bought one, all high bars and cruiser, about $1500 asking price. Took a short test ride on it, way too Peter Fonda for me.
Bought my 1100G right after, and stripped that down to just a standard bike.

I had the standard version of the XS. It was a great bike aside from the piggish handling.

[Grimly]

As mentioned here the 2nd gear issue happened on lots of bikes. Not 100% sure but I think it had something to do with the larger throw to get past neutral that contributed to the damage.

Also caused by clods doing clutchless changes.

[Cyrano]

As mentioned here the 2nd gear issue happened on lots of bikes. Not 100% sure but I think it had something to do with the larger throw to get past neutral that contributed to the damage.

Also caused by clods doing clutchless changes.

It was to do with the cogs not fully engaging in 2nd gear. I did the mod on my 2nd XS11 and it requires removing the gear shafts for 2nd gear and placing a spacer/washer from one side to the other of the cog. I believe it can even be done with the engine still in the frame!