- Don Vesco
Here is your chance to own a motorcycle equipped with a fairing designed and manufactured by a true American icon, Don Vesco. Don had an illustrious career in various aspects in the motorcycle industry. He owned the Outright Motorcycle Land Speed record for 19 years at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Don was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and a biography of his career can be found at: AMA Hall of Fame
My XS1100 is equipped with the Don Vesco Rabid Transit Fairing. The fairing is in perfect condition and has the Vitaloni California Mirrors. I am not aware of any cracking or defects in the fairing. There is a few small paint chips caused by road debris. The mirrors do have some scratches on the ends. I have an extra windshield for the fairing. More details on the fairing is available at: the Semi-Official Don Vesco Rabid Transit Enthusiasts Web. It is amazing that a web site was created for this fairing and one of the contributors was offered $11,000 for his bike and he turned it down.
- Condition
- Electrically and mechanically this XS1100 is like new. It starts right up and runs perfectly. Cosmetically the
bike is a 9 or 9.5 out of 10 as the pictures show. There are some tiny paint chips on the fairing from road debris and a small ding on the top of front fender that do not show up in the pictures.The tank has a small chip caused by the cruse control.
This bike is Rust Free . El Paso is in a high-altitude (4000 ft) desert enviroment. Vehicles do not rust here.
- Performance
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This bike is fast. It is faster than my 2002 Honda Goldwing and I have had no trouble blowing off a couple of Harleys owned by my friends. This is on of the bikes featured in Roland Brown’s book THE UNTIMATE History of Fast Motorcycles
The present mileage is 27,076 miles. The bike is located in El Paso, TX and has been here for over 10 years. On the highway, 47 mpg have been realized.
- Hearsay History
- The following statements are strictly hearsay from the previous owner ( I have no way to verify their validity). When he acquired the bike, it had been sitting around and the fairing was painted white. The front turn signals were red and blue and there were hard saddle bags and a trunk bag attached. He had the fairing repainted to match the tank and had to change the front turn signals. He was told that this bike was one of several Yamaha XS1100s that were specially modified in an attempt to sell to the California Highway Patrol. I do know that Don Vesco did own a Yamaha Motorcycle Dealership and the bike has 160 mph speedometer which was not standard for that year.
- Recent Modifications - Repairs - Maintenance:
- The front forks were disassembled, cleaned, and fork seals replaced. The previous owner had installed Race Tech fork springs.
- The tires were replaced with Metzler Lasertec Sport Touring tires.
- The front and rear brake calipers were rebuilt.
- New front and rear disk brake pads were installed.
- The front and rear brake lines were replaced with stainless steel brake lines. This really improved the front brakes. Brakes lines were flushed with new fluid.
- The ignition coils were replaced with new high performance coils from Mikes XS.
- The fuse block was replaced with one that uses the blade style automotive type fuses.
- The turn signals have been converted to an electronic flasher.
- Power to the headlight now goes through relays mounted inside the fairing but controlled by the handle bar switch.
- The headlight now uses an H4 halogen bulb.
- The carburetors were synchronized, but they were almost perfect to begin with.
- The valves were adjusted and were brought in specification.
- The oil cooler lines were replaced.
- The rear differential fluid was replaced with Mobil 1 gear oil.
- The drive shaft splines were lubricated.
- New Progressive Rear Shocks.
- New valve cover and timing tensioner assembly gaskets were installed.
- I have been using Shell Rotella Synthetic oil with no problems.
- Brand new, made in USA, AGM battery (November 2011).
- The previous owner install a Dynojet Carburetor Kit.
- I removed the hard saddle bags and trunk bag which were in poor shape but I still have them.
- Reason for Selling:
- I love this bike but since I am now retired, it is time for me to downsize. I love the sound of XS1100 especially when you go through the gears. I have a tendency to want to drag race against anything that comes my way when riding this bike. I am too old (approaching 70) to be doing this and that is another reason for selling it.
- Included Literature:
- An original Yamaha XS1100G Owners Manual
- An original Yamaha XS1100 1978-80 Service Manual
- A Clymer Yamaha XS1100 1978-1981 Service-Repair-Maintenance book
- A Haynes Yamaha XS1100 Fours 1977-1980 Owners Workshop Manual
- An autographed copy of XS Eleven Heaven by Bob Jones. Until his untimely death, Bob Jones motorcycle shop specialized in rebuilding and modifying the XS1100. I had the opportunity to visit with Bob at his shop near Kansas City, KS. He truly believed the XS1100 was the best bike Yamaha had ever built and he devoted his life to this bike. It was an experience I will always remember.
- My Observations:
- I believe the buyer of this vintage cafe racer will be quite pleased with this purchase and get many years of enjoyment. The Yamaha XS1100 is a very reliable and still a very popular motorcycle There are no mechanical defects that I am aware of. This bike is ready to ride and travel anywhere.
- Terms of Sale:
- The price is only $3000 for this rare motorcycle.
- I honestly believe all the statements I have made to be true. However, since I am not a dealer this bike will be sold "as is".
- I do not accept returns or give refunds.
- The buyer is reponsible for all shipping and shipping costs.
- I will answer any email questions. Email
or text or call John at 915-731-5166 - Payment can be made with cash, bank check, or money order. The bike must be held until payments made by checks have been cleared. This includes all checks even bank checks.
- I can accept PayPal, however there will be an additional charge of 6% to cover PalPay fees.
**** Thank You for Looking ****