hi i am new

[DenyP]

Welcome powerram50. I am a newbe here as well.


Deny

[powerram50]

i am hoping to not have to go thru the carbs till fall if i can help it at all.it is running great now it just wont idle.i still need new plugs and a air filter first.the old air filter don't look bad ,and PO said it was pretty new before he parked it.but i just want to replace it anyway.

[trbig]

If you don't want to clean the carbs, go get a can of Seafoam (Most auto stores and Walmart carry it) and run a half can through in each of 2 tanks. If anything is going to clean the pilot jets without tearing into them, that's it.


Tod

[powerram50]

i have a bunch of the barrymans b-12 cleaner in the tank.each time i run it it runns better and better.

[powerram50]

this winter i plan on doing a full carb rebiuld plus a bunch of other work.

[powerram50]

ok screw it i pulled the carbs off.went out there to move the bike and the air cleaner box had 1/4 cup of gas in it.plus i poped the oil cap off and i am pretty sure i can smell some gas in there.so i am going to take them apart.anything i should look out for while i am in there?

[saddle up]

Welcome to the clan

I am also a relatively newcomer. This site is the best. I am glad to see somebody else riding a XS in Portland. I'll keep an eye out for you. Cool Man!

[powerram50]

ya for the last several months i have been in springfield but i am moving back to portland in about 2 weeks.you might see one of my trucks around they are what i normally drive.

[screamin deal]

New myself

I also am new to the site . I got a screamin deal from my friend so thats where the name came from. My xs1100sf is the first bike i've had in twenty years. It sat in my friends garage for about three years. He would start it every now and then. I took it home and put some fuel system cleaner in it , got a new battery, fired it up and blew it out. Just went and got new tires and an oil change.Now I am riding every chance I get.

[powerram50]

crap got all the carbs clean then on the last one the pin holding the float was siezed and the post both broke off.

[fredintoon]

Dontcha hate it when that happens?

Hi Ram,
all is not lost, you can stick that ridiculously frail post back on with CB Weld (did I get those letters right? 2-pack white epoxy stuff) Some get those pins out with sidecutters behind the "nail head" end but I prefer using an automatic centrepunch on it's tail. Others clip the heads off and sand the pins a bit smaller so they are a slip fit instead of a friction fit. Once the bowl is back on the pin can't go anywhere.

[powerram50]

that is what i am going to try.is jb weld good for aluminum?then i need to figure out how to replace the pin it is all bent out of shape.

[fredintoon]

Hi Ram,
any old piece of the same size wire will work.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Ram,

Welcome and congrats on your machine. As for that float pin, you want a decent fit, but not to tight as to cause binding, the float should spin on it easily. Can use a Finishing Brad/Nail, etc.! It just needs to be cut to the same width as the outside edge of the two float posts. The float BOWL has a contour that will keep the pin in place, so it doesn't have to be super snug/interference fit with the pin posts!!! Either JB Weld, or magnaSTeel/aluminum both will work.

However, ...darn, I forgot to look at what year/ model you had before I started this reply! The leaking could be crud between the float needle and seat, or a worn float needle...grooved....if metal type, or also worn if the rubber tipped type....could also be the O-ring under the seat if the later year style 80-81 series, or leaky sinking float!? You'll need to either recondition the float needles, or get new ones. See the Tech Tips as well as search the Tech Disc. threads for more info!
T.C.

[powerram50]

jb weld worked on one post but not the other.