1981 Yamaha XS1100 Special (5k miles)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ต.ค. 2024
- A deviation from the norm, spotlighting one of the late 70s/early 80s Japanese super bikes, a low-mileage 1981 Yamaha XS1100 Special.
Hope you enjoy.
Email me at rareclassiccars@yahoo.com
Are you serious? Incredible classic cars and 80's Japanese motorcycles? You are living your best life, sir. I miss my 1984 Honda Nighthawk 650 so much it hurts sometimes.
Ha! Thanks. Yes, I have a soft spot for old Japanese bikes.
I have restored/chopped / bobbed / and cafed she XS 650. I got my 83 Special . I loved the Vincent Black Lightning. . I built the XS 650 engine to make 90 hp at the rear wheel. But it was not pleasant to ride/ it had so much power a twitch you had better be pointed where you intend to go. Lol.
I finally got around to watching your XS11 video. I'm a retired Yamaha tech advisor with a lot of time on that era bike. I noticed in the closeup on the carbs that the original brass pilot screw blind plugs are still in. The replacement plugs are aluminum which means that the pilot screws have not been removed for cleaning. That is an absolute must to get the low speed fueling right. Once the blind plugs are removed using by carefully drilling a 1/8" hole just barely through the top and screwing a self tapping or wood screw into the plug to yank it out. Then carefully count the number of turns to seated before removing each pilot screw. After cleaning the pilot circuits with spray carb cleaner reinstall the screws with a 1/4 to 1/2 turn more than original. Vacuum sync the carbs together and your low speed problems should be solved! Nice bike!
Wow. Thx Guy. Can you send me at email at rareclassiccars@yahoo.com? Have a few questions. Appreciate your advice.
Hi Guy. Can you email me again and forward your note? My son accidentally hit delete as I was reading ;)
The CV carbs of the era were for emissions not rideability. Had a Suzuki GS1100. When the CV diaphragms went bad and the carbs needed rebuilding, I installed an older set of smooth bore Mikunis. I got them jetted just right and it ran so much better than stock.
Nice bike, Adam. I confess I’ve never been a road bike enthusiast. I have ridden dirt bikes which I’ve enjoyed. I just don’t like sharing a path with three to five thousand pound four-wheelers with drivers playing Candy Crush! Thanks, John
I had a 250 Can-Am which was a blast !
My first motorcycle was a 1980 Yamaha XS650. I currently own a 82 Honda CM. Love those old UJM style bikes.
My first was an XS2 an XS650 with a 72, the red and white paint and the standard style tires , not the 16 inch rear. I wish I still had it!
We had an '82 650 Maxim for our first bike. What a classic. Wish I still had it . Now, I ride a '19 Indian FTR 1200 race replica. My mid-life crisis bike !
I love this bike,that is a tank,they will never manufacture anything with such standard of quality anywhere,ever...
A tank ?
It was one of the fastest on the road ! My KZ1000LTD would barely beat it. And mine was tuned with a Kerker Header.
You can't compare today to back then, if that's what you mean by "tank". Totally unfair. In this era, it was Suzuki GS1100, Kawasaki KZ1000, then Yamaha 1100, in order of FASTEST PRODUCTION MOTORCYCLES IN THE WORLD.
A little respect please...
@@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154 I think by tank he means bulletproof.
I have 6 XS1100s from this era including this one and a Midnight Special. One of the interesting things about this motor is that it turned the opposite direction (backwards) from most of the competitors of the time.
Kerry, I just purchased a '81 XS11 Midnight Special. looking for front and rear black metal turn signals, front amber reflectors. Can you direct me to a best source. Ebay has messed up parts. Thanks Ray in the USA
Adam, PLEASE don't go too far down the bike path. One or two are okay, but it seems like you have more than enough great CARS to keep us entertained for quite awhile.
You have no worry there. Am much more of a car guy now that I’m a family man.
I always find myself going back through old videos of your channel. You should do a few videos on the other motorcycles you own. I'm a car guy through and through, but I guess it's a nice change of pace. I see them here and there on other videos. Great channel I tell everyone to subscribe to the channel. Thank you for the great content you bring us!
What a beauty, these used to be a fairly common sight in my youth but so rare nowadays, this is a lovely example and a real stunner. One of the best looking bikes from that era.
I had a 1978 Yamaha XS 750 SE (750 Special). It was 3 cylinders with shaft drive. I think it was the second year shaft drive was out. As with most Japanese bikes, it was very reliable and tough. They had a complete tool kit under the seat with which you could perform many routine fixes. It included the little plastic dipstick to check your front and rear fluid levels on the shaft drive. This was from the era when we still used leaded gas. Gas didn't have ethanol (that I'm aware of) either, so you didn't have to stabilize your fuel. It had a 5+ gallon tank, too, which was great.
I had a red one. LOVED IT!
WENT TO AN 1100 SPECIAL THEN
A VENTURE ROYALE...
Why am I not surprised to see this? Love it! I have a '75 CB750-4 and an '80 & '81 Hondas as well :) You can't beat the classic Japanese bikes!
loving your channel for all the old car talk, then was very excited to see we own the same bike! i have a 79 special, which I've ridden daily since 2009! great way to get to work!
Great video! I own a 1980 XS1100S that I have had since 1984 and yes I was the mack back in the day. I still love riding it but only short runs.They all sound simuliar staritng and taking off. Bike looks crisp! Thanks for posting
Wow Mr. > Grrreat! I just happen to have a 1981 Yamaha XS1100H model, it's the other style,, during that year (the last year of the XS11) it was competing against the Honda GL1100, for the best/biggest Touring bike. Well some 40 yrs later that Honda won out. I love my XS11. I've also got a 1975 Honda CB400F , supersport. The 2nd smallest 4-cylinder motorcycle brought into this country. From '75, 76, 77 that was it! I've got an original Light Ruby Red, it was sitting inside of my garage for about nearly 17 yrs until I got the gumpshon to get it back up and running , and I did back in 2016.
N O T A C A R....
In all seriousness, I know next to nothing about motorcycles but I would like to learn, and you're the right person to learn from. Never knew where to start, but this one seems like a great place to start!
I had two CB350's, both 1969s [two tone green with rubber knee pads]. The first [bought new] was great until it was stolen. The second was not great; the engine ran short of oil and it seized. I have not ridden since about 1975 nor will I. Not for lack of desire but at age 75, a bad fall would really damage me. Hell, just falling in the house damages me.
I’ve owned a few early eighties yammers. I love the air cooled inline fours. They have such smooth power.
Beautiful XS1100 bud! I just brought home a 79. It needs work been sitting for years but it's all there.
Yes! Love bikes as well as cars! Yay!
Good to see bikes covered on your excellent channel!
Man sweet bike! Glad someone is doing vids on classic bikes as well as cars. My dad is rebuilding 1980 xs1100
It’s difficult to describe how much I’m enjoying this channel and yes I also found a Honda CB 360 T sort of a touring bike the flat seat upright driving position had a little sissy bar and luggage rack on it it was red white and black it was the two cylinder and it was absolutely reliable powerful fun to drive smooth riding Justin absolutely wonderful bike
My second bike was a 82 Yamaha Virago 920! Awesome choice of motorcycles Adam! I have a soft spot for 70’s-80’s Japanese bikes.
Thanks for another excellent video. My first bike was a 80 Kawasaki KZ1100, full vetter fairing and bags/trunk. Probably why I've always had big bikes. It just dawned on me this week that my 2003 Goldwing will be eligible for collector plates before I know it. 🤷♂️
I'm in favor of more posts about this beautiful old Yamaha. I've always wanted a motorcycle but never owned one, so I enjoyed your experience with it. Maybe I will...
I had the 79 xs1100 it was an awesome bike I loved it
Nice bike ! I like that old cow in the garage also ! Yeah the pilot Jets/idle Jets, most likely will be plugged, That's the little jet. Adjust Idle mixture screw, front center directly in front of float Bowl in a horizontal position, This Will help with lean idle. Counterclockwise half a turn, never take it out more than three turns ! Sometimes mixture screw is blocked off with small silver plate, Remove plate.
I had the 1981 XS1100 (not the Special). It was a rocket. Extremely dependable. Very satisfying.
nice review of what I remember was one of the big ones displacement wise from that era...you nailed the review...if it wasnt for oxygenated fuel there would be a lot of those still being used today
Selling my Yamaha 1100 to someone who appreciates the bike. It belonged to a friend of mine that passed away a couple yrs ago. Was running fine but would need a good go-over.
Great video....lovely bike. I had an 1100 Maxim which superseded the XS. Great styling on these bikes...
Nice Adam! My favourite sought after bike when I was a teenager. My brother in law had the XS750 shaft drive which was beautiful to drive.
Great video! Great speaking! Cheers from the Finger Lakes!
My CB400 Honda, automatic!, was great fun as my first new vehicle/transportation, as an 17 yo!!! On I-95 no less. wheeeee!
Would love to see a vid with the H2 back on the road!
Really cool Adam. Wasn’t this design one of Yamaha’s first 4-strokes, in the form of the 3 cyl XS750? My dad had a ‘78 XS1100. The burgundy one. What a thrill for a 12 year old kid. Started my lifelong love affair w/ bikes. Thanks again!
Yes it was.
Lovely bike I've got a xs 750 1979 I had a commando up till a couple of years ago but sold it which I now regret because I loved it but my health at the time we'll let's just say thinks weren't looking good for me ,anyway I'm good now so bought the xs great bike and very rideable
Thanks for sharing! Shame it is hard to find a quiet road for riding....
The Japanese muscle bikes of that time are interesting. At first they thought they wanted to be Harley-esque cruisers, then shortly thereafter, so many morphed into wannabe GP racers and never looked back, unfortunately.
My journey has been the opposite of yours. Now that my kids are grown and almost out I got a minibike I soon modified at 56, and a year later a motorcycle. I picked up a mint '82 Honda CM200T, for around town. It has a Hondaline rack I did not remove ... and I use it for quick store trips when I can.
great to see your a motorcycle guy !!
I remember this bike and the what it could do.
This is the styl of motorcycle that I loved to Ride
I had a 81 XJ 750 Maxim and wish I still had it!!!😞
Nice bike my dad has a 1973 honda also a 1985 Chevy Corvette
Yeah, Japanese bike from the 70's thru like you've said, till '82ish, I like till about '84ish,,,, but yeap: something very special to me also. I have owned an '04 Yamaha FJR 1300 also,,,,,> Great bike but : not for me, I had it for a year put on about 2k miles and had to sell it!
Thanks for a look at your nice XS. But motorcycles are not driven - they are ridden.
nice motorcycle.
Awesome.
Very nice !
This is also the precuser bike to the body bag inviting ( in the wrong or right hands ) first gen vmax, Short for V4 Maxium.
My dad had a 1979. Same black color. I took it for a ride when he first bought and it almost got away from me when I hit the throttle
It’s nice my friend daily drove one for two years because of a DUI. Strange is it not? If the police try to pull you over just run. Different era.
more bikes..yes..
Very nice. Do you want to sell it.
I would buy that in a heart beat. Pitty I am in South Africa.
Had a 1980 mint onr about a decade ago. Wish I hadn't unloaded it....which the nee owner immediately wrecked.
Adam, I did not see this one coming. Do you have a RD 350 kicking around?
Ha. Well, thought I’d see if there were any car and motorcycle people out there
@@RareClassicCars plenty!…although I’d term it motorcycle and car. haha. Nice old xs. I have an ‘80…unassembled in original Yamaha crate (as well as an XS650). You wheel out 60s70s Italian or iconic British bikes - channel will triple again.
Wow. That’s impressive on the XS in the crate.
You know, I’ve ridden an RD350 and really enjoyed it. But I don’t have one. I do have a Kawasaki H2 750, though.
@@RareClassicCars Some of the cool kids had RD 350s when I was in high school. I was not one of the cool kids. In regard to your ownership of H2 750, of course you own one ;-)
My father has an 81 850special. He still has it
whats unique about the bikes of this era is they are mostly air cooled, as opposed to today most are liquid & air cooled
Yeah, that’s not what’s unique about these.
4 sale? I would love to own it…
A windshield makes all the difference.
Sounds like you’re ready to sell. Let me know if you are.
What are you asking for the yam?
Thanks. This one is sentimental to me, so I'm not really looking to sell. Lots of memories with my dad on this one.
yes, it was the "BIGGEST" and "BADDEST", QUICKEST "THING" on wheels,,,,,,, 2 or 4, at that time! 11.78 seconds in the 1/4 mile, doing some 114mph! Nothing was quicker! Nothing!
Yes it was. Still a quick machine.
Clean the carbs-gas today is not like it was back in the 80's. Clean carbs will make the bike run like new. I had my 80 1100 Sg since 1986.
Are you selling how much and how should I contact you
Am not. Sorry
Do you still own this bike
Let me know if you want to sell it. Thanks
Thx. This one has some big sentimental value to me, so prob not looking to sell.
1st view
Though that Vincent Black Shadow that broke down…is valued in six figures, where as that Yamaha ha ha is, sorry to say…essentially valueless
You haven’t seen them sell lately.
Not a car.