Yamaha XS1100 Cafe Racer Project - Ep 01

An introduction to my XS1100 Café Racer project. 1st in a series of build videos. Please subscribe for more progress vids and updates.

[@NomadHarry]

I know this series is 3 years old, but I just came across it and excited to watch. I have a 1979 XS1100 Harry

[@jabulanijakes]

Thanks for all the knowledge sharing! I'm currently fixing/restoring my yamaha xjr1200 from '95 and your videos are immensely helpful, thank you! Yes there are a couple differences but the technical knowledge is perfect for me, especially the section on carbs which got me started on this playlist and now going through the lot from scratch - cheers to you Sir! From south africa

[@enmika0077]

I wish my service could had done by this master. He is very saby and we'll verse on all what he is talking about. I leave in United States and I own a 1979 XS 1100. -- SINCE THEN IN MY FIRST 5 YEARS I PUT A 17 THOUSAND MILES IN THE BIKE AND IN THE ENGINE 0NLY 4.500 MILES BECAUSE I CHANGE THE MOTOR THAT WAS DONE BY MR. JIM COOPER, WHO THEN HAD A SHOP IN CONNETICUT AFTER RACING UNLIMITED CCS, and he was ON THE UNLIMITED QUARTER OF MILE FOR, FOUR TIMES AS A NATIONAL RECORD HOLDER. I BELIEVE IN THOSE YEARS HE DID IT ON A 1977 KAWASAKI I HAD THE WORK DONE BECAUSE I DID LOVE TO HAVE THE WORK DONE ENGINE SIUND, WHICH I DESIDE IT TO PUT AN 1275 ENGINE KIT ON IT AND THAT IS HOW I STARTED MY PROJECT TO CONEVERTED TO CAFFE RAISING AND ENDING UP GETTING CLOSER TO A BOBER. I LOVE MY BIKE FOREVER. I WAS AN OWNER OF NINJA 1000 AND SUSUKI MR9 1600 BUT SOLD THEM AND KEEP SPENDING MY TIME ON MY XS FOR ALL THIS YEARS. I'M WRITING THIS ON 2020 SO MY BEAUTY HAS 41 YEARS OLD. Don't know how to work my phone to set some pictures. But you can write me at [e-mail] and I will send some photos. I wish to get in touch with Andy But I'm not a subscriber to almost anything, I'm just a googler or a BLABLER. HAVE A GOOD ONE

[@0027586231506]

I’m going to watch basket case for the second time. Great channel, thank you Andy.

[@andrewbull3537]

I have got a 1978 xs1100,and thanks to you i am going to breath new life into the old girl!!!!,keep it up mate see you later .from another Andy

[@ANDY5]

Thanks for the comments guys. There is still a long way to go with this project so I will post more clips as I progress.

[@absolutetuber]

i'm about to purchase two bikes, an 81 xs1100 and an 82 xj1100....your videos have been great to watch and i'm sure i will be watching them many many times

[@ANDY5]

+absolutetuber g'day mate, you will enjoy them when you get them running and riding. Thanks for tuning in, Andy

[@angelzipp]

Thank you for sharing your great work, sir. This morning I just put an XS1100 into my garage... she's in a quite a rough shape (almost similar with yours). Mine will end up as bobber, though. I will definitely "steal" some of your knowledge. Thank, again.

[@ANDY5]

+angelzipp cool 😎 thanks mate, and enjoy the project

[@jameswaters6788]

great work so far mate. Ive just been looking at the xs11 as the next base for after my current cafe build (an xv750). Can't wait to see what you do next with the bike, its great to see the photos in the video - so remember to take as many shots as you work your way through the build!

[@salafibrouae]

Very nice... looking forward to seeing more of the project.

[@900vasa]

Hello Andy! im happy to have found this video and im looking forward to see the progress of your project! i also own a xs 1100 - 81 and i have just started thinking about rebuilding it to a cafe racer. im in the early stages, just gathering inspiration and looking for parts. i will for shure use alot of your tecniques since this will be my very first project. loking forward to next video! Eric Sandén sweden

[@ANDY5]

Thanks Eric, more videos to come. Check out my other clips on this channel and stay tuned for updates. Andy

[@DistinctOgre]

Wow man, now I really get the basket case thing. Awesome work!

[@furnimaker]

Your 80s horror movie graphic was not wasted on me ;)

[@ANDY5]

lol, I cringe at some of these earlier videos

[@Stuff_And_Things_0]

that's great thanks for the fast reply and info! do you remember if you had to do any filler work or just sand down the final piece? The quality of finish on your work is much better than a lot of the home garrage KZbin vids and is what I'm aiming towards! Thanks again

[@ANDY5]

Hi, it required body filler in a few places then high build primer.

[@johnkinnane547]

G’day Andy I bought one brand new when I lived in Adelaide good touring, but a pain in the ass to change the back wheel by the way mine was after 81 it was dark brown 1.1 but what your saying about parts ect is correct. Regards John Kingston PS nice to see a channel produce in Tassie.

[@thetradinggoat5101]

Andy you’ve done an incredible amount of work and a fantastic job. Cheers from Newfoundland Canada! I have a 79 xs1100 I touched that I just rebuilt the clutch and have running perfect. I want to start the cafe build on it and I want to start with the front end, with some clip on bars etc. I was going to slide the forks up and use some 37 mm clips ons I believe!! I’m also hoping that swapping the tax isn’t too hard. Any suggestions? Thx

[@5theend1]

Im excited man keep them coming.

[@ANDY5]

Joel Godinez Thanks Joel. There are 9 in the playlist to date. Bike is at the painters now so should see some progress in a week or two.

[@petersteele6358]

My father is restoring 1981 XS11, looking for valves. Do u know a good place to buy? Bought a head from a wrecker online, only 1 valve was left in it!

[@Flashdogger]

Andy, would you tell me the brand of air filter and were to get those exact air filter pods? And also the jets you are useing ?

[@NorthernSutherner]

great job ! would like to see more, i have one also.

[@sergiosanchez-hh2bb]

About to get this Same bike have to rebuilt the carbs

[@Stuff_And_Things_0]

hi Andy! great build. have you got any tips for the fibreglass seat? did you use many layers and was there much work in getting it nice and flat? This is on my to do list!

[@ANDY5]

Hi Sam, thanks for tuning in. I only decided to post video's, initially, so my family and friends could follow the build. Unfortunately the seat was made prior to me starting to film. I made the seat from close cell styrene foam. Then I shaped it with sand paper and covered it with painters tape. I can't remember how many layers I put on there but I know that I had issues because the heat that is generated by the chemical reaction of the resin curing started to melt the foam. If I was going to do it again I would only lay down one or two layers and let that harden before building more layers on top. I used a method similar to this kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ3GqIdofrKtpLc I hope this helps, good luck with your build, Andy

[@onelionatplay]

Working on my 79 , carb 2 doesn't have the spigot for the vacuum advance , is there a fix? Can I drill one in?

[@mbarnhill86]

great videos!!!!!!! questions though. who is the the manufacturer of the Rear shocks? what size tires did you put on? how did you lower the front end of the bike? I just purchased a xs 750 looking to do some mods. Thanks Matt

[@ANDY5]

+Matthew Barnhill Hi Matt, rear shocks are JBS, available from ebay, rear tyre is 130x70x17 front is 3.25-19, I lowered the front by sliding the fork tubes through the triple clamps by 40mm. I am considering lowering them internally, not too difficult. You need to make a spacer for the rebound dampener the length you want to lower by and chop the same amount off the springs. Andy

[@mbarnhill86]

Thanks man for the advice! An also thank you for all time and effort you put in to your videos! There are none others out there like yours with as much detail. I enjoy them and they are extremely helpful. Expecially the second gear fix video!

[@ANDY5]

+Matthew Barnhill Make sure you check out episode 41, gearbox surgery

[@charleselston8058]

Yes i have a 80 xs 1100 i have something over heating up and shutting the bike off i changed cdi box but still does it do you think it could be a bad rectafirer or the stator but battery stays charged all wires look good if you have any info that wold be a big help thanks

[@agamurtuza8963]

Charles Elston your motorcycle is running lean

[@ImamSadikin]

Hi Andi! Nice project. Also don't forget to submit the story about your bike here: otomotif.org/submit-your-bike/

[@jimrowe4177]

Andy, how many miles/kilometers were on the XS1100 when you acquired it?

[@ANDY5]

G'day Jim. I don't know mate, the speedo was busted and I binned it yonks ago. I probably should have looked.

[@halfnelson6115]

Probably a stupid question, but Is that bike called a "Midnight Special" in the US?

[@ANDY5]

+HalfNelson 73 Hi mate. The Midnight Special was a similar spec bike. For all intent and purposes, yes, they are.

[@kenbrannon5620]

I have a XS1100 Special, I am having a hell of a time locating a Stator for it. You have line on where one can be had?

[@ANDY5]

Best bet is to search the interwebs www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=XS1100+stator&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=2 Andy

[@jimmyghee8820]

so um...when am i gonna get one of these bruh

[@andrewmack2161]

Opening title says 'Basket Case' followed by you looking into the camera.... :D ...Thanks for immediately clarifying that it's the bike that's project basket case...

[@ANDY5]

I still cringe when I look back at these earlier videos

[@andrewmack2161]

It's a smile/chuckle worthy issue rather than a cringe item.

[@ben_simms]

I'm turning my XS1100 into a cafe...but I'm just starting. I wanted to ask you about removing your seat and gas tank...any chance you'd wanna email or call me?

[@ANDY5]

Ben Simms What exactly do you want to know Ben?

[@jasonparker333]

Hi, I will keep checking your videos as I am currently doing an XS1100 Café Racer over here in the UK. I am also keeping track of my build, www.caferacerproject.co.uk Jason

[@ANDY5]

Jason Parker What a great build Jason. Nice work on the frame mods :)

[@leonardoalvarezquintero2445]

Did you change the tank? What tank is that? 04:49

[@ANDY5]

G'day Jorge, yes I did change tanks. It is off a XS1100 "Standard" E, F or G model. The Australian tanks are the same shape as other countries but ours have larger volumes, thanks to long distances between towns and fuel stops over here. The U.S.A version is 20 litres, ours are 24 litres. Thanks for watching, Andy.

[@leonardoalvarezquintero2445]

Thanks Andy to answer I really aprettiate. I forgot to say congratulations for that amazing Cafe Racer. I saw the first tank and I thought it looks like a bobber tank, the second one is the best option for Cafe. Right now I'm looking for one on Ebay. I checked a couple of good options. Thanks.