Need advice on my first XS 1100 project

Hey everyone,

I've put together a very nice XJ 650 Maxim project last winter and I was thinking about starting work on an XS 1100 I found semi-locally. My jaw has been dropped from what appears to be an insanely good deal. Here's the bike.
Because of the high mileage, is it just going to explode? Is this worth my time if I intend to ride every where every day? Thanks.

 

i just recently purchased a 1979 XS750 special which had 28000 miles on it. It was in running condition when i purchased it, a little tight on the brake and clutch and the ride wasnt all that smooth. In the process of cleaning it out and replacing the fluids and such but i got a pretty good deal as well.
I guess it all comes down to how much time you want to spend on it and how much effort you want to put into it and money of course.
Theres a guy on here whos in Qatar and hes rebuilding an XJ that looked like it should've just been buried in the ground or melted over to reclaim the metal. But hes rebuilt it into what almost looks brand new.

 

Can't comment on your particular example,but it's worth remembering that the XS11 is one of the motors that gave Yamaha a bulletproof engine reputation.
With proper maintenance I would expect you to get another 50000 miles on that engine.BUT as with all old /used motorcycles how was it cared for over the last 30 years?

 

It does not look like a good deal. The carbs and airbox are missing, looks like the gauge cluster is hanging off. I can be a good parts bike. I looked at one just like that near me and it was complete. He only wanted 200$ for it. I had enough parts so I passed it up. Keep looking you can find a runner that only needs cosmetic work for 1000$ or less. Look harder and you'll come up with a really nice one for less than 1500$.
If you get the one you are looking at plan on spending:
200+ for a carb rack
100 for filter box or pod filters
remember going through the brakes changing oil, fixing all the other things wrong you can easily add another 200 to 400 before you can ride it.
Put all that money in your seceret stash and go buy a ready to ride bike.
Look at my gallery, the XS1100 cost me 1200$ and the XJ1100 cost me 1000$. I put maybe 200 into each bike for maintenance items before they were street ready.

 

Try to talk him down, It would be worth fixing if you can get it for 200. These engines have been known to go 100K miles with proper maintenance. Do a compression check before you buy it. If it is low , walk away and keep looking. Don't give up, the XS1100 is a blast to ride.