engine needed

[tommacarthur]

I justv got a Bike in a basket. I have most everything assembled except the engine. I am stumped. Does any one know where i might get a complete 1978 xs 1100 engine and tranny. I saw one on ebay for 179.00 and dumb me passed it up. I have a good engine and tranny along with all manuals and parts catalogs

HELP!!!

[Pain]

Before I vote, is this your only bike, and do you have the space to assemble and install and engine?

If this is not your only ride, and you have the workshop to pull it off, I would advise assembling it. yeah, there are time you will want to take a sledge hammer to the thing, but think about when it is done.

I just had a replacement xs1100 engine dropped into my H, and wish I had the time and space to had doen it myself.

[JWSanders]

If you do it yourself, you will get the chance to do all the fixes (1st and 2nd gears, mainly) before putting it together. Will be able to remove a lot of failure points preemptively. It will make all the wrenching worth it when you get many more thousands of miles of trouble-free operation. Once you get done putting it together you will know everything you need to fix just about anything on it that could ever break again, too. A big plus in my book.

If you have the time and ambition (and all the parts ), I say go for it!! Maybe you can weasel your nephew to helping, at the very least.

I'm going to be rebuilding and polishing an engine over the summer. I'm really looking forward to it, actually. Going to shine like new when I'm done.

[cajun31]

I agree with JW. Do it yourself and you will be an expert and you will have the satisfaction of knowing what you are riding.

[mro]

assembled except the engine???

Got tools and a place to work?,
do it myself.

Just ordered a chain riviting tool. I should have every thing else. Cleaned up the head on my 80 LG and want to put it back on for a compression test, then I'll go from there.


mro

[trbig]

If the engine is all there, get a manual and put it together. I was scared to death just taking the top end of mine off, but am so glad I did. (Except for when I bent my valves... lol) You get a chance to bond with the bike more anyway!
If there are parts and pieces missing, it will probably be much cheaper and easier to find a complete engine or parts bike. If you start to add things like 35-40 dollars for a SINGLE valve... it can get costly if it isn't all there.
Don't pay attention to that guy on Ebay that keeps listing the motor (But all he's actually selling is a head) for a start price of $250!! I have seen them like you said.. for 150-200 bucks, complete motor/ trans. ( I Paid $150) But unless they are close by you, may cost another $100 to ship it. Plus, it's a crap shoot as to how wore out that next motor may be... no matter WHAT the speedo says. Those speedos are easily replaced to make a "New" bike! "For sale... 1979 XS.. only 3300 original miles!!" Then you see all the rubber rubbed off the footpegs and shifter... lol.


Tod

[tommacarthur]

engine needed

I have all the parts (at least that is what the previous owner said)
I also have a nice two 1/2 car garage with workbench. I have sae wrenches. Manual, Parts catalog and metric wrenches. I will need metric socket set, Gasket set, and pattience. Is there anything else I will need. Thanks for the input and advice. i think I wil try to get my nephew to get me started and go from there. This is my only bike and I am anxious to rideb again. i am 61 years old and have not been on a bike in 35 years. My says I am nuts!!

I would rather be nuts and happy than sane and sad.

[trbig]

Then another HUGE suggestion... (With a big push) is to enroll in a local motorcycle safety course. I'm not knocking your age by any means. There are alot more people and dangers on the roads to watch out for than there was 35 years ago. I would hate to see you take a tumble. Your bike could be fixed... but I know even at 38... I don't heal NEARLY as well as I did at 18!
Another small suggestion... If you don't have a digital camera, Walmart has some cheapies (Under 30 bucks) that would make a good enough picture for posting. It might make any questions you have easier... but it's not necessary. These guys in here are prety good and could probably figure out what you were talking about without the pictures.

You will also need some metric allen wrenches. Just how "Apart" is this motor? If it's totally apart,(Pistons, rings, crank, cams, etc in the box) there may be a few more tools you may need.

Tod

[eroellig]

Re: engine needed

Originally posted by tommacarthur
... Is there anything else I will need...

Boy is THAT a loaded queston.

It depends on how well you paid attention in Tool Abuse class, how tight you are with a buck, how creative you are in making a custom tool or two (there are instructions within these hallowed pages for a few), and how much of an excuse you need for new toys

I sprung for a nice aluminum bike/ATV jack & a seat on wheels. It has been REALLY nice to have the bike up in the air while I'm working on it. My back thanks me every time I'm in the garage.

Got a 4 channel mercury vac gage to synch the carbs with.

Splurged on a Morgan Color Tune for setting carb mixtures (instead of screwing around looking at spark plug colors.)

Metric flat feeler gage for checking valve lash.

Motion Pro tool to hold the valves down while I remove valve shims.

Couple other small miscellaneous gadgets I can't think of.

Thus far, it has been very enjoyable.

Eric

[strom]

Do it yourself.
Anytime you get stuck or if you have doubts about sth, ask.
If you don't have the tools... borrow. The valve thingies and carb sync tools you need only once (in a while).
Check the main bearings for damage, replace primary and camchain, replace clutch springs and check the tranny REAL GOOD.
Why is the engine apart anyway?

LP

[tommacarthur]

engine needed

Thanks for all the replys. I do plan on taking the rider course. It is available at our local collage. Even though my wife says I am nuts that doesnt mean I am. I do have a little common sense left. I do not know why the bike is in parts. the previous owner said he took iy apart because third gear stuck and he wanted to fix it. I do hav4e a digital camera and have posted a couple pics om www.myspace.com/yadzilla. I will have more after the weekenfd is over. I am going to start assembling the engine today and i am sure i will have lots of questions. Does anyone have the article that explains how to fix transmission sticking??. thanks Tom

[Czekus21]

I vote for doing the job yourself. By the way. If you run into trouble getting things to work like they should, Or mabee an assembly question that you need someone to look at, you might holler at chevy454. He's up in your neck of the woods. Also coming to your neck of the woods is "Brag-n-Drag". You may want to attend this rally. Even if you don't have your bike up and going. It would be a great opportunity to meet fellow members, get some advice, Aquire parts, and so on. Good luck.

[Czekus21]

Dohp. I didn't look closly at you location or had a brain fart. Anyway chevy454 is close but not that close. Sorry for the misleading info there. I know we have members in MI. and Brag-n-Drag is not that far I guess. Good luck.

[tommacarthur]

brag n drag

Where and when is brag n drag??

[strom]

I lost 2 teeth on 3rd gear... replaced the whole tranny, now 5th is giving me grief. Check the tranny, recheck, take it to a shop, so you dont have to take it out again. Its not a big deal, but it is if you dont fix it.
Dont rush into things. Clean all the parts so you can eat from em before assy. So if something goes wrong, you know its not your fault.
And quick fixes seldom work on these brutes. It pays to do a good job Trust me, I got to take apart the bottom half again.

LP