Might pick up a stray...

"Nonster" (noahnic) 08/10/2016 at 14:10 • Filed to: two wheels good, organ donor, motorcycle, yamaha, cafe racer

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It’s not my first choice for a project bike, but a clean title and a price of 200 bucks says otherwise. So I’ll be checking out this old Yamaha XS1100 on Saturday. Its been sitting for a long while and will need some lovin to get her runnin, but its all there.

I figure if the motor isn’t seized the worst case is I’ll just get it running enjoy it for a bit then sell it. However, a lot of neat ideas are starting to pop into my head.

I really dig cafe racers and vintage bikes with modern USD sportbike forks and I’ve heard that one of the weak points of this porker of a bike were the spindly forks. After some quick googling it looks like Hayabusa forks are prime candidates.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. “IF” I get it, step one will be getting it cleaned up and running. Ultimately I’d like to build it into a cool cafe/brat-style urban cruiser #buzzwords that won’t fall on its face in the twisties.

bob and john > Nonster 08/10/2016 at 14:15

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step one: remove fuel tank
step 2: clean: fuel tap, fuel pump (if it has one)
step 3: rebuild carbs
step 4: NEW fuel hose
step 5: leak gas all over your garage because you forgot to seat one of the hoses right
step 6: get bike started, be happy
step 7: burn out start solenoid or something and bike wont start.


I’m on #7 atm with the yellow bike

Pickup_man > bob and john 08/10/2016 at 14:27

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step 1: take bike apart

step 2: cut off all tabs and all that extra frame you don’t need

step 3: build a work bench to hold your now disassembled bike and it’s various parts

step 4: polish some things

step 5: buy some parts that will complete the look

step 6: get distracted by other projects, let bike sit for a year

step 7: get back to the bike, grind a couple things smooth, buy some more parts, make some mounting brackets for your new parts

step 8: repeat steps 6-8 until finished

Nonster > bob and john 08/10/2016 at 14:28

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what step number is light it on fire and push it off a bridge?

bob and john > Nonster 08/10/2016 at 14:34

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none. because I’m a tenacious little bastard like that.

Hammerdown > bob and john 08/10/2016 at 14:36

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Depending upon the year, this might have a kickstarter on it. I know my dad’s KZ1000 has one. If so, the starter solenoid is optional.

jimz > Nonster 08/10/2016 at 15:42

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look into parts availability first. an acquaintance has an XJ650 and parts are rare and expensive. carb joints are $80-100 each (and it has four) and even the stupid little screen for the carb needle is $20 each.