A few weeks ago I picked up a very nice low mileage Yamaha XS1100SF Special with all original paint and a King and Queen seat (banana seat). Heather and I had been watching it on Craigslist for a while. While she was gone back east, I surreptitiously picked it up and led her to believe that someone else had purchased it. Before she got back, I did a complete overhaul on the bike to get it road worthy, titled, registered, and plated in Oregon.
This is a gorgeous four cylinder inline engine. Yamaha basically taped on an extra cylinder compared to the XS850 like I already owned.
LOVE that seat.
Low miles.
The seat is ridiculous and awesome. I am fairly certain it has the original cover.
A comparison of the XS850 (on the right) and XS1100 (on the left). The biggest differences I have found are the much wider engine on the 1100, the bigger tail light on the 850, a slightly higher fork height on the 850, and different kick stand configurations with the XS1100 being almost vertical when on the kick stand. Otherwise, the two bikes are very similar.
I moved into a shop space with Drew and got an orange jump suit to work on the bike.
The XS1100 getting ready for its first test ride after a comprehensive overhaul.
Someday maybe I will put wave rotors on this and more modern brakes. Single piston brakes with solid disks don’t stop as well as I would like.
I wonder if I could modify the bike to get it to the speedometer’s top speed…
Ready for a ride.
Drew rode the XS850 while I rode the XS1100 up to a nice view point over Corvallis.
Ashley rode her Ninja 250 which is surprisingly large next to the XS1100. I can say that Heather was EXTREMELY surprised when I pulled up on the XS1100 to take her for a ride. The surprise was complete. Considering how much more power the XS1100 has compared to the XS850, she is very happy to be riding on the back of it.
Sunset over that gorgeous banana seat.
Nice find on the XS11. Last winter, I found a 1978 XS1100 engine and tranny mounted in the frame (nothing but frame – no wheels) on Ebay, with less than 10,000 actual miles, and won the auction for a bit over $200! I did have to drive to northern Iowa to pick it up – I live in central Wisconsin – but it was well worth the trip. Last spring I put together a bike with it, from all of my ‘spare’ XS1100 parts – I’ve been riding 1100’s for over 30 years and had owned three of them – two road-worthy, and one parts bike. This is the first one that has a sound transmission and doesn’t burn oil. When you mentioned the seat, I have one just like it sitting in my basement – still with the original covering, but mine’s a bit stiff and brittle. Looks like you have the perfect terrain to enjoy riding that powerful beast around in – do so in good health! Just out of curiousity, what did you have to give for it, if you don’t mind my asking?
If you ever have need of parts, let me know – I’ve got a lot of them here. I stripped mine down to just the necessities to run – including the wiring harness – lots of gee-gaws and do-dads that can cause electrical problems. A great place for information is on the “xs11.com” website. Tons of information, including rebuilding the electrical fuse block, installing ‘green’ Dynatek coils to replace the very weak OEM units (you have to remove the ballast resisitor when doing this…), and a wealth of other good advice for troubleshooting and longevity. The Europeans and Australians are also great XS1100 enthusiasts – I got a minimal wire harness diagram from a German website that helped me weed out mine.
I worked my way to an engineering position at Fiskars in Spencer, WI, until they closed down their scissors operations in the US and moved them to China, with hands-on experience in a variety of technologies, including microprocessor-based manufacturing and industrial lasers. Of course, everything is beyond that now, but the disciplines have allowed me to pursue other interests nearer and dearer to my heart – like motorcycles!
I certainly hope that you enjoy yours!
Hi Douglas!
I think if I remember correctly, I paid around $800 for the XS1100 plus gas to drive a friend’s truck about 400 miles to pick up the bike and bring it back. I also had to pay out of state title fees, etc. The bike rides fine as it is now (replaced tires, rebuilt forks although they are leaking again, rebuilt brake system, flushed all fluids, new spark plugs, rebuilt petcocks, etc…) but I am getting on average about 25 mpg. When the engine is hot and I’ve been running for a while, the engine will idle very high at stop lights and sometimes surge. I am pretty sure that I have an issue in my carbs. Haven’t had the time to tackle it yet. I imagine I need to do a full carb rebuild. Have you had experience doing that on an XS11? I’ve read through the threads about carb rebuilds on the XS11.com website but I haven’t quite made up my mind about doing the job. The bike runs, it’s just got lousy fuel economy and likes to idle much too high when hot (yes I’ve tried adjusting the idle settings but it causes great consternation when trying to start the bike and ride it in the first 20 miles).
In the next year, I want to rebuild the front forks (again), replace the front brake lines with braided stainless steel, and investigate putting aftermarket shocks on the rear. Long-term, I’m thinking about trying to fuel inject this bike using a MicroSquirt, the throttle body off of an R1, and some magical free time that I currently don’t have. I also want to replace the OEM coils and spark plug wires/boots. The boots on my bike are cracked pretty bad but the electrical tape that a PO put on the boots seems to be holding up pretty well.
While I own several bikes, my girlfriend likes the XS1100 the best!
Cheers!
Douglas
Hey Douglas N… I’m looking for the side cover plates for the SX 1100 SF Special, in black… Got those laying around?
I realize this is a 2013 response but thought I would through this out there. I purchased my XS1100SF 1979 a few years back for a great price. The seat is toast and the pan is a bit rusted. Looking for another seat for it or seat pan in descent shape. I love riding this bike, I had Harley’s in the past and hate to admit to that. Any help or direction on where one might be had would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bob
Dear Sir, I’ve been working on a 79XS1100, I wonder if you have a stock seat and stock exhaust system. I sold Yamahas from 1985 to 2007 and like the XS1100 very much.Denny
Howdy Dennis,
I’m afraid that I don’t have any spare parts for an XS1100 on hand. However, I’m sure the parts are available at sites such as E-Bay. My current issues with my XS1100 are 1) dragging rear brake (I think I need to re-set the return spring on the rear brake pedal), 2) rear shocks are shot 3) front shocks need to be re-built. I just haven’t had the time in the last six months to do the work. Hopefully soon before riding season gets underway I can take care of these issues.
Cheers!
Douglas
Ran across your picture ,I have the same 1100 in black ,29,000 miles. Got it from the first owner,GREAT RIDE .
Hi Wade!
I think I am the third owner of my XS1100. It has been a great bike but I just don’t have the time to ride it and my other motorcycle like they both should. I am in the painful process of deciding which I will keep and which I will sell. 🙁
Cheers!
Douglas
Hi Doug,
I just had a heart attack seeing my old bike. The Washington plates, King/Queen seat, and the San Diego State University parking sticker (I tried to remove it so it is scratched up) on the front left fork. You are the 2nd owner. We did a title transfer just to facilitate the sale of the bike beings I live and work overseas. I am happy to see that it went to a good home. I paid $3,400 for it brand new and bought from the Yamaha shop in Longview, Washington. I was writing a book for my young daughter to have after I pass away. I did a search for a 1979 Yamaha XS1100 special with king/queen seat and up it popped. Most of the miles were put on it in Palm Springs and San Diego.
Rick Smith
Howdy Rick!
I just sold the bike four months ago to a nice young man from Texas. The bike was still running great when I sold it. I think he’s really enjoying having that sweet XS1100 now. I have NEVER seen another XS1100 with the king and queen seat in person and only found a couple references online of that even being an aftermarket option. My partner really loved that king and queen seat but she wasn’t super happy with what a speed demon I could be on that bike with her on the back. I had much love for the XS1100 but it was way too easy for me to wheelie in every single gear at just about any speed 🙂
After I purchased it, the bike saw a lot of miles all over western Oregon and then around the Denver metro area in Colorado. The guy who bought it from me was planning to use it for long distance rides between Texas and Colorado this coming summer. He was going to ride it in the winter down in Texas (where it’s warm!).
Cheers,
Douglas
Was wondering if you could tell me how tall you are? Thinking about getting an xs1100 but being over 6ft I am worried about being too big for the bike.
Hi Zach,
I’m 6’2″ and have no problem fitting. I’ve got a 33″ inseam though. If your legs are longer than mine, you might want to try test riding one before making a commitment. You could always get the seat height raised (recover the seat and add foam) to adjust that part.
Cheers!
Douglas
Just bought the same bike , color and all … Hoping you might have some insite as where I might find some parts , speedometer to be specific … Thanks … Robert
Hi Robert,
Best I can say is to check E-Bay. That’s usually my parts source for my older bikes.
Cheers!
Douglas
Hi I have a 79 that was made into a trike , I have been redoing it over the last year to get it to fit me and wife , I have alot of extra Parts because i got hold of a Parts Bike in trade Most i have No Use for , So ask me i might have the parts you Need ? thanks George
Looking for right side rear and front blinkers, as well as throttle assembly on right side grip and all and it’s getting fuel in oil, yes it was dropped
I just picked up a 79 XS11 that has 16,361 on the speedometer. The guy I got it from is the third owner. It has been sitting for almost 2 years, but before he parked it he had put brand new tires, new brakes, new clutch, clutch cable, and an after market exhaust, which I actually got 2 sets, one straight and one turn-out set. he also lowered the bike by putting shorter shocks because he is short, so I have extra shocks and exhaust, plus 6 used turn signal lights, a new shop manual. It has bad gas but it runs good.The electronic tach does not work but that is an easy fix. I plan to remove the tank, which the inside looks brand new, and put fresh gas with fuel treatment. Very low mileage for a 79. Wish me luck.
Still have named parts???
I also got 4 new, in the box, carb boots. the ones on the bike are starting to dry rot from sitting outside. I have about $500- $700 in spare parts.
Still have parts???
Just picked up a 79 sx1100 this last weekend at an estate sale. 8700 original miles not redden since 1982. Carbs are all apart but appear to be all there. Gas tank has never had the bad gas in it. The bike appears to have been parked inside wood shop all its life, very little chrome pitting. All this for 300 dollars.
Sounds like you got a great deal! They’re great bikes.