Yamaha XS11 Cafe Bruiser Cruiser Project
- Thread starter Drewski
- Start date
That should be stay "tuned"!! 
;D
Hey, there's a lot of work to go to get this beast running, but we're on our way! It was a good deal and I think it'll be a good bike for a reasonable investment!
Electrical gremlins, exhaust, carbs to sort, gauges, paint... the list goes on and on....
I think it'll be a cool machine when it's done! I can't decide if I want to keep it or sell it to a good home! My gut tells me I'll sell it!
Time will tell! ;D
;DHey, there's a lot of work to go to get this beast running, but we're on our way! It was a good deal and I think it'll be a good bike for a reasonable investment!
Electrical gremlins, exhaust, carbs to sort, gauges, paint... the list goes on and on....
I think it'll be a cool machine when it's done! I can't decide if I want to keep it or sell it to a good home! My gut tells me I'll sell it!
Time will tell! ;D
Oh I didn't know these were shaft driven! Pretty cool. Bike seems to be in good condition. Just needs servicing?! painting?! and well ya rearsets!
P.S. Oh missed this bit. So its going to be quite a task to restore it. Have to go through the same ordeal for my puny Yamaha!
P.S. Oh missed this bit. So its going to be quite a task to restore it. Have to go through the same ordeal for my puny Yamaha!
Gordon said:
Ya Gordon,
It's not as bad as it could have been! We actually got it to fire this afternoon! I'm so PUMPED!!
(I have a buddy helping me that's as excited as I am about this project!)
We checked the wiring, fitted a battery, sprayed some quick start in the carbs and... yee haa!! It's alive!! ;D ;D
Well, for a second or 2!
There's more to sort out with the wiring (details, details... ) and many other areas to finish as I mentioned before, but at least we know it'll run. Whew!
One of the other things I'm going to do is trim the subframe below the tail of the seat. This means welding a brace to join the upper frame rails just aft of the upper shock mounts. I think it'll be fun to work out all the little details to make this as clean a bike as we can.
For paint, I'm going to spray it grey or flat black with gold emblems and gloss black accents. Hopefully I can sweat the prep work and do a good job with that. ;D
I'm really looking forward to doing all this!
M
miss alliekat
Guest
Now that is going to be an evil monster... mmmmm you cant beat size ... ;D
valvesprung
Over 1,000 Posts
After seeing your streetfighter I can't wait to see how this turns out!
untitled
cafe racer virgin
Awesome bike Drew! If you need a shop bitch to give you a hand with whatever, including making coffee runs 
, let me know. For that matter, if anyone needs a helping hand (unexperienced, but friendly and zealous) with your project please let me know. I'm willing to pay with my time and energy for a learning experience. ;D
, let me know. For that matter, if anyone needs a helping hand (unexperienced, but friendly and zealous) with your project please let me know. I'm willing to pay with my time and energy for a learning experience. ;D
Swagger said:
Sweet!! I'll check that out! Thanks! ;D
No, I don't think I have the budget for another 'KZZXR'!
That was a 'once in a lifetime' kinda build! This bike will be more in line with other home built projects you see on this board. Much more 'hands on' than my KZ was! Not to say it won't be beautiful... just less bling and a little rougher, if you know what I mean!! ;D ;D I see what you guys have done in your garages and driveways and I'm inspired to do the same. Or at least, try! 
;DI'm really excited about this machine! I think it's gonna be a fun ride! 8)
Swagger
Putting boot to ass since 1967!
Gotcha.
Mine stripped down to right around 440-445 pounds but could have been in the 400 range with some effort. It'll run like a scalded cat without the flywheel though you'll need to have some machine work done to mount the electrical bits. If you're cool with it, dump the electric starter and all it's associated pieces, you'll shed a lot of weight right there. Triumph Daytona 1000/1200 and Trophy 1200 carbs all but drop in. They actually bolt directly up, you may need to play with the throttle cable(s) but they are infinitely better than the OE carbs and much nicer to tune. The head, like it's 3cylinder sibling responds well to porting, no need to get radical, just blend the bowls, smooth the short side and give a little love to the valve stem protrusions....it's worth almost 10hp on a completely stock lump. There are still 'big(ger) bore' kits out there that yield 1200cc though you can resleeve and run pistons from an FJ1200 and get IIRC 1340cc......
Cams are tougher but Delta Cams will regrind yours for $65 each and they work VERY well.
Lastly......
Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks!
At minimum you're going to want a fork brace, the stock pogos are fairly flimsy. Were it me I'd swap to something a bit chubbier up front, The stock shocks were ok for touring and are by now probably beat. Grab yourself some Redwings or other higher end units in the +1 to +1.5" range and you'll enjoy the much improved handling.
...sigh.....wish I still had mine. It was a brute!
Mine stripped down to right around 440-445 pounds but could have been in the 400 range with some effort. It'll run like a scalded cat without the flywheel though you'll need to have some machine work done to mount the electrical bits. If you're cool with it, dump the electric starter and all it's associated pieces, you'll shed a lot of weight right there. Triumph Daytona 1000/1200 and Trophy 1200 carbs all but drop in. They actually bolt directly up, you may need to play with the throttle cable(s) but they are infinitely better than the OE carbs and much nicer to tune. The head, like it's 3cylinder sibling responds well to porting, no need to get radical, just blend the bowls, smooth the short side and give a little love to the valve stem protrusions....it's worth almost 10hp on a completely stock lump. There are still 'big(ger) bore' kits out there that yield 1200cc though you can resleeve and run pistons from an FJ1200 and get IIRC 1340cc......
Cams are tougher but Delta Cams will regrind yours for $65 each and they work VERY well.
Lastly......
Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks-Fork-Shocks!
At minimum you're going to want a fork brace, the stock pogos are fairly flimsy. Were it me I'd swap to something a bit chubbier up front, The stock shocks were ok for touring and are by now probably beat. Grab yourself some Redwings or other higher end units in the +1 to +1.5" range and you'll enjoy the much improved handling.
...sigh.....wish I still had mine. It was a brute!
Mmmmmm, the big XS. Was looking for one of these for a while, but never found one for a reasonable price that wasn't a beat POS. Supposed to have big power. I've seen them up close, and for that engine, they're really not that BIG of a bike. Not much bigger than my XS650. CERTAINLY smaller than my GS1000. Though I like my Zook, I've started out on Yammies, and still love em like no other.
My forum time is divided right now (GSR, 650 garage, and here), but I'm looking forward to following this build.
My forum time is divided right now (GSR, 650 garage, and here), but I'm looking forward to following this build.
Thanks for your interest and comments guys!
Swagger:
I don't anticipate doing 1/4 of what you did to your old machine!! It sounds like a wicked ride!
My plan is to clean it up, keep it simple and do what it takes to make it safe and fun!
I've done the brakes, added a fork brace and swapped a set of S&W shocks on the rear in addition to what you see in the photos.
The electrics have been checked and cleaned up. It fires, so I believe we'll be in good shape once I get the tank ready.
That brings me to my latest problem. The tank leaks!! When I was cleaning the rust out of it, I ended up with crap all over the floor. It dribbles out along the bottom seam on the right side! CRAP! Oh well, every old bike seems to have it's issues! This one will be no different!
Rudy:
I love Yammies too, even though I'm really a Kawi Guy!
Thanks for your interest! Maybe you'll wanna build a 'brother' machine! That would be fun! ;D
I'll try to post some current pics soon!
Now I gotta get to this leaky tank! :-\
Swagger:
I don't anticipate doing 1/4 of what you did to your old machine!!
It sounds like a wicked ride!My plan is to clean it up, keep it simple and do what it takes to make it safe and fun!
I've done the brakes, added a fork brace and swapped a set of S&W shocks on the rear in addition to what you see in the photos.
The electrics have been checked and cleaned up. It fires, so I believe we'll be in good shape once I get the tank ready.
That brings me to my latest problem. The tank leaks!! When I was cleaning the rust out of it, I ended up with crap all over the floor. It dribbles out along the bottom seam on the right side! CRAP! Oh well, every old bike seems to have it's issues! This one will be no different!
Rudy:
I love Yammies too, even though I'm really a Kawi Guy!
Thanks for your interest! Maybe you'll wanna build a 'brother' machine! That would be fun!
;DI'll try to post some current pics soon!
Now I gotta get to this leaky tank! :-\
Swagger
Putting boot to ass since 1967!
Whatever you do, be sure to check, change and top off the lube in the driveline. The mid-drive is susceptible to heat/friction related death in a spectacular fashion though if you keep it oily it'll last forever. You can mix and match driveshafts to fit a 750/850 pumpkin on it to yield a more cruizerly rpm rate on the freeway if that's your inclination. Have fun....sniff....I miss mine.....