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Old beater '81 XS1100 dresser, runs, and licensed?!?

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  • Old beater '81 XS1100 dresser, runs, and licensed?!?

    OK I am not 100% I want to be rid of the bike, but here's the deal. I got it a couple of years ago from a salvage yard that was going out of business (the Chrome Spoke). It has been a pretty reliable mode of transportation. I am a friend of Bill W. so if you know what that means you'll know I am giving you the straight deal 100%.

    It is ugly, missing one side cover, has been out in the weather most of its life. Since I got it one of the front calipers sprung a leak, so it has been on one a while now, but I still have the leaky one. The saddlebag tops are along the side of some highway or at least that is where I left them. The engine has 60K or so on it but runs nice and smooth with minimal noise, though if you don't start it weekly you will end up needing starter fluid, but if you use it it is fine, except when the starter button doesn't work, which is about 1/3 of the time. The fuse box has been replaced by regular glass fuse holders because that was giving it trouble. The electrical all seems to work, it's just spotty connections through the system. The best I have ever been able to get mileage wise is about 25mpg, but I ride everything like I stole it. The air box I replaced with a different year one and new air filter. The rubber is and always was good, and has pre-seal in it so flats are unlikely. The pipes are mostly gone for years now. I think that's all that I know for sure.

    Now, just recently the damn thing started "stuttering" if you gun it in first gear. I don't hear any particular noise, and it is fine if you start off easy. This trouble is, at this point, only in first gear. This is only the second shaft drive I have ever owned and the first was flawless. I have no idea where the issue is, but when I say stutters I mean it feels like two gears are slipping but not completely. Since I have owned many bikes but none with any drive train problems I would be interested to hear any ideas on what this might be, and suggestions on things to check, short of getting into the tranny. I am just a die hard rider, and of very modest means. I just want two wheels for fun and to back up my car. If anyone is interested I would be much more into a mechanically sound beater in trade, but would accept a reasonable cash offer. Let me know, and thanks for being here and loving these cool old bikes!

    Last edited by markjs; 08-04-2009, 02:37 AM.

  • #2
    That's an 81 H Venturer w/ the big fuel tank. Kind of a rare bike.

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    • #3
      St...St...Stu...Stut...Stutt...Stutterin'

      I can't see from the pic if you have a center stand or not but You might try spinning the rear wheel by hand and work through the gears to see if you can isolate the problem,If Your lucky it may be just in need of lubrication where the shaft meets the final drive. Otherwise what You may be feeling if that particular area wasn't maintained might be the shaft splines starting to tear off and pretty soon complete failure will insue Don't know for sure but thats probably the easiest place to start. HTH
      1980 XS1100G "Dolly G" Full Dresser (with a coat of many colors )
      1979 XS1100SF (stock-euro mods planned)
      1984 XV700L Virago (to be hot-modded)
      1983 XJ750MK Midnight Maxim (semi-restored DD)
      1977 XS650D ( patiently awaiting resto)

      Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Schming View Post
        I can't see from the pic if you have a center stand or not but You might try spinning the rear wheel by hand and work through the gears to see if you can isolate the problem,If Your lucky it may be just in need of lubrication where the shaft meets the final drive. Otherwise what You may be feeling if that particular area wasn't maintained might be the shaft splines starting to tear off and pretty soon complete failure will insue Don't know for sure but thats probably the easiest place to start. HTH
        Thank you I will start there! If it is in the gearbox I won't fix it, but if it's in the shaft I just might. That'd be the only scenario in which I might keep this wonderful old whipped dawg!

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        • #5
          I forgot to say it blows an even 110 on the last compression test on all cyliners.

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          • #6
            110 isn't too bad. It obviously will still run but not at peak performance. Is your clutch adjusted properly? Let us know what You find.
            1980 XS1100G "Dolly G" Full Dresser (with a coat of many colors )
            1979 XS1100SF (stock-euro mods planned)
            1984 XV700L Virago (to be hot-modded)
            1983 XJ750MK Midnight Maxim (semi-restored DD)
            1977 XS650D ( patiently awaiting resto)

            Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight.

            Comment


            • #7
              Yeah the clutch is right and I just put a new cable on it. I just did the center stand thing and there is no making it do the problem by hand. I don't know what that means but I'm hopeful it indicates the shaft or wheel to be the problem rather than actual first gear.

              Oh I should also say that I am interested in any beater at least 250cc, but more interested in the 350 to 750cc range.

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              • #8
                That sounds like an ignition problem. An 81 should still have the vacuum advance so I would check the pickup wires and the ballast resister. It wouldn't hurt to clean all the connections and pack them with dielectric grease.

                Geezer
                Hi my name is Tony and I'm a bikeoholic.

                The old gray biker ain't what he used to be.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Geezer View Post
                  That sounds like an ignition problem. An 81 should still have the vacuum advance so I would check the pickup wires and the ballast resister. It wouldn't hurt to clean all the connections and pack them with dielectric grease.

                  Geezer
                  I'll keep it in mind, because there are some issues with rough running at high rpm now that you mention it. That blew me away when I realized it has vacuum advance!

                  BTW where is the ballast resistor? I have only seen those on old Mopars before.

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                  • #10
                    The ballast resister is on the left side of the frame sticking out from under the tank. Search for pick up wire and you'll find all the info you need on that.

                    The XS11 was the first bike I know of to have the vacuum advance. Two years later Honda jumped on the bandwagon and added it to the 1100 Wing...

                    Geezer

                    Originally posted by markjs View Post
                    I'll keep it in mind, because there are some issues with rough running at high rpm now that you mention it. That blew me away when I realized it has vacuum advance!

                    BTW where is the ballast resistor? I have only seen those on old Mopars before.
                    Hi my name is Tony and I'm a bikeoholic.

                    The old gray biker ain't what he used to be.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      That sounds like an ignition problem.
                      Really?? Sounds exactly like the 1st/2nd gear problem these bikes are notorious for. Not an expensive fix at all if you have a Dremmel tool. Sounds like the way you ride it, you won't find a more reliable bike. A weekend to fix it permanently.. then abuse it and ride it like you stole it some more.

                      Tod
                      Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

                      You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!

                      Current bikes:
                      '06 Suzuki DR650
                      *'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
                      '82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
                      '82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
                      '82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
                      '82 XJ1100 Parts bike
                      '81 XS1100 Special
                      '81 YZ250
                      '80 XS850 Special
                      '80 XR100
                      *Crashed/Totalled, still own

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        As noted above that is the '81 Venturer with the 6 gal. tank...they are rare compared to the production numbers for the other XS models...What you described as slipping gears sounds very much like the endemic 1st/2nd gear slip...means you gotta either do the dremel fix or swap out the old gears for new factory backcut ones...since you're on a budget I'd say the 1st option is your best bet. I had the same issue but elected to spend $ to get all new gearsets...so I'm good for life This bike is worth keeping and fixing up..dunno about how you'd find covers for the pans but keep looking.
                        I would love to have a Venturer maybe I'll find one in the next couple of years Hmm come to think of it those pans are similar to what is used on other touring pkgs for the XS so I wonder if you could find another set of pans to install???
                        Last edited by madmax-im; 08-04-2009, 08:21 PM.
                        1980 XS650G Special-Two
                        1993 Honda ST1100

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I agree that you probably have a gear issue. I just repaired mine on 1st gear 2 weekends ago. The only cost involved is a new change of engine oil, a tube of gasket goop (permatex ultra Black is my choice) and the use of a dremel or a die grinder. Not difficult to do, and the step-by-step instructions are in the teck tips. I did mine entirely on the side stand the first time. If I had been thorough and done all the gears, I would not have had to go back in and do it again.

                          Don't sell the bike. You'll regret letting it go if you do.
                          1980 XS850SG - Sold
                          1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
                          Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
                          Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

                          Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
                          -H. Ford

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                          • #14
                            As much as I've loved this bike, I think I will sooner trade or sell than do that fix. I mean I am sure I could do it, but I have no garage or even pavement at home on which to work. I also don't have c-clip pliers, I do have a dremel and impact driver though. Still it seems like it will be a monumental pain in the ass.

                            I've always preferred smaller bikes and would enjoy the increased gas mileage too. I'd rather see this thing either get restored or be a parts bike for a nicer one. I know I will never restore it. I'll ride it till it pukes completely, or I sell it later, So I'll think on it, but if anyone has an offer if it's reasonable or puts me into another running bike I'll take it. Thanks again though!

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                            • #15
                              If you sell it, could you offer it to one of us first? I've been looking for an 81 touring model but this one may be too far away for me to consider...

                              Geezer
                              Hi my name is Tony and I'm a bikeoholic.

                              The old gray biker ain't what he used to be.

                              Comment

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