Do you have and use a manual

[malber]

A manual for what?

[Kurt]

They make manuals for these things?? Where have I been!!!??

[joshua]

I would have already sold or put a match to my bike without my Clymers and this site.

[Czekus21]

I use it when I need it. I can't see the sense in finding the book, to find a page, to find a paragraph, to find the stats on something that I've done so many time that I could probably do them with my eyes closed..... Hmmmmm,,,,,, Mabee I should change my vote to use it all the time,,,, May cut down on the many times I've got to adjust stuff,,,,,,,,,,,Hmmmmm,,,, Na,,,, Then I wouldn't spend so much time in the shop and SWMBO would have a longer "honey-do" list.,,,That would cut down on the amount of "test rides" needed to "fine tune". Those rides are only about a tank out and a tank back...O.K. Now I'm getting side tracked.....Now for your XSive service anouncment,,,," Manuals are good. Never work on you XS without one"....Or at least a computer close by to ask questions here.

[livelifenowff]

I think i saw a Haynes manual for this bike.. does anyone use one of those? I have a haynes for my 944 and i generally hate it but thought maybe it would be good for this application.

Thanks
Kyle

[Crazcnuk]

I have the Haynes manual for the XS1100s 77-80. It was printed same year as my 80G.

Generally speaking, I am not a fan of the Haynes, but it is better than nothing.

I have Clymer manuals for my Yamaha Virago, Suzuki GT's and for Volkswagen beetles (the old style ones) and a Haynes manual for Ford Escorts.

I also have the original factory shop manual for Honda CB250-360, CL360 and CJ250/360Ts, 1981 GM G-Body cars and all 1983 GM passenger cars as well as Briggs and Stratton motors!

These are just the ones I can see from my chair...

So, as you can tell, I like my manuals. It is usually one of the first items I buy for any vehicle I pick up, and, often, after the vehicle is gone, I still have the manual.

When I sold my CB360T I offered the (factory) Honda shop manual to him for $10, and he didn't go for it. I was so shocked I just kept it.

[livelifenowff]

Good lord I'd jump at the chance. Any place to find a decent priced shop manual for my honey?

Kyle

[cajun31]

Watch Ebay

Keep an eye on Ebay. Someone is selling it on CD.

[79XS11F]

Given the recent number of new owners it might just be time to bump this poll.

Bump

[GARTHXS]

what I have

clymers, 78-79 shop manual , the same on pdf , parts catalog, 3phases 80g wiring diagram, and I still have problems

[furious4]

I have a clymer manual I use and I always bring my laptop in the garage to look up this site for info. Just remember to wipe the grease off your hands before typing

[ccogswel]

I have the Clymers shop manual. I really only use it when I need to check Torque values, Clearance's or just to double check a procedure. I do wish I had the real Yamaha Shop Manual. Be nice to have one of those. But I do with what I got. If I can't find it in my book I come here. So I'm covered. LOL!

[Geezer]

I have manuals for all my bikes and some I don't have. It's always handy to be able to look up some specs or how something goes together if you haven't dug into something before or in a long time.

I don't care how good of a mechanic you think you are, you can't remember everything...

Geezer

[CatatonicBug]

I host the XS (Yamaha and Clymers) and XJ (Yamaha) manuals along with a few other things on my website (link in my signature). I see almost daily hits on them, so I know many people are using them. I printed both of them for the XS and put them in 3-ring binders, and I use them for anything more complicated than an oil change (only because the oil volume is stamped on the side of the engine ).

[crazy steve]

That was the first thing I bought after the bike was broke-in.... the factory manual. I'm still semi-kicking myself for not getting the FD book, but given all the special tools it called out and these days you probably couldn't get new parts for it anyway, I don't see that as a big deal.

No aftermarket books for this one. From the manuals I have for my other bikes I'll agree that Clymer seems to publish the best bike books, with Haynes a semi-close second. Strange, as the Haynes car books are the best of the aftermarket in automotive IMHO.

The Chilton bike manuals I've seen are terrible.....

'78E original owner