KANA

1978 YAMAHA XS1100

Kana is a Japanese name that means powerful or strong. I felt that was a fitting label for this 1100cc dual overhead cam inline four rocket. The XS11 was undeniably a powerhouse went it was released in 1978, the first production motorcycle to break the 12 second quarter mile barrier, it was also Yamaha’s first inline four and first liter bike. Arguably the genesis for the modern R1. Sporting a set of four 38mm Mikuni BS38 carburetors, this beast was sure to get enough fuel to each of the cylinders. Electronic ignition with a vacuum advance kept them all firing on time. She was no slob on the throttle response when it came time to unleash all 95 horses. A five speed gear box and final shaft drive put all that power to the ground and kept things clean. To help the ponies hook up, some sticky Bridgestones did the job.

Originally set up as a touring bike, the forks were a mile long, and the entire front end weighed a ton. To remedy that every component fitted to the steering neck came courtesy of a 2000 Suzuki GSXR600. That means twin pot dual Tokico calipers and massive slotted rotors.

I cut down the triple trees as much as I could and removed all the casting lines. A steering stabilizer helps keep things under control. A single switch for the lights and for the starter help keep things clean and simple up front as well.

The levers are a one off piece I machined down to length, and gave the aluminum a brushed finish.