New member gonna pick up my XS1100 today

[CatatonicBug]

Engine running (Not revving high but throttle lightly worked to prevent stalling) clutch pulled in when I put it into first the gear lever bounces my foot with grinding- not a nice clean "kunk" like my 750. (clutch plates?) Let the clutch lever out and thats when I hear continuous solid knocking- solid like two steel hammer heads clacking off against one another. Loudest at low engine speed.

I would almost gurantee that you just need to do the gear fix on 1st gear (might as well do it on the other ones while you're at it). That sounds EXACTLY like what I experienced in 3rd gear when I first got my bike, and later in 2nd gear too. My 1st gear was a slow progression, and would only skip on hard accelleration, but by that time I knew the transmission pretty well.

Once the engine speeds up, and everything is running about the same speed, the noise will slow down a bit, since things are not pushing against each other as hard as it does to get it up to speed. The fact that you're on the center stand means there is almost NO load on the gears once you're up to speed. I would imagine that if you set it down and tried to ride it, the noise would get worse.

Since you've already experienced the fix on the 750, you should have no problem doing it on the 1100.

[trbig]

What you describe sounds exactly like the gear problem with 1st gear. The edges of the gear get rounded off. It starts with a clunk as it skips a tooth.. then more often. It will finally get to a point where it won't hold any pressure, and the rounded gear edges simply push past each other with a grinding noise. Holding the pedal down is the worst thing you can do and may have bent the shift forks.

I stated this recently, but these bikes are like a boat. You can by a boat and motor cheaper than you can buy a motor. You can usually buy a motor cheaper than you can replace very many of the components.

If you plan on spending 4-500 for a motor.. buy a whole bike.


Tod

[xswilly]

SOMETIMES IF YOU RUN IT ON THE CENTERSTAND
it does clunk around alot due to the backlash in the gears and final drive
best to put around in the driveway to listen for clunking
that way the normal loads are on the drivetrain

or try running it on the centerstand while putting a little preasure on the rear brake to simulate driving

[DGXSER]

Swapping out an engine is NEVER going to be easier than repairing a tranny. Since you can do the tranny with it still in the bike, and you don't have to worry about all the other systems, I would always start with the tranny first, then if the problem doesn't go away, move on to something else.

Not to mention the fact that if you swap engines, some locales require that you do a bunch of paperwork to list the new engine number on your title (along WITH your fame number). That alone would be enough to make me stay away from that option as long as possible.

Hey Bug, what I was referring to is the main shaft gears and such which could have been an issue from the original description. I've been involved in switching out an engine in these bikes, and it is actually not that bad. If you get one form the same year, less than a days work in my opinion. Hard to split cases and dig that deep in a day, and depending on parts, like Tod has stated, a parts bike can be had cheaper.

As to the new owners issues, yep I would agree with the concensus. This sounds like the first gear dogs are rounded off and just wont hold into the slots. Good news is, you can do this work on the centerstand, done it twice that way myself. Once on mine and once on a fellow members machine. He did the disassembly himself and had a spare set of countershaft gears in good condition so we just swapped them. From pulling the countershaft out, to all buttoned up minus some case covers was about three hours or so. this was working on a patio in a backyard.

[Bigfoot]

Engine running (Not revving high but throttle lightly worked to prevent stalling) clutch pulled in when I put it into first the gear lever bounces my foot with grinding- not a nice clean "kunk" like my 750. (clutch plates?) Let the clutch lever out and thats when I hear continuous solid knocking- solid like two steel hammer heads clacking off against one another. Loudest at low engine speed. Rev up the engine in first and the noise continues.

I would definitely check out the shift forks while you have them out. It does sound like one of them may be bent of overly worn. If it was only the dogs, you should still get it into gear easier than that without so much grinding to get it in gear. Might get some, but it shouldn't be that much. The worn dogs with give you that solid knocking but should increase in speed as you give some throttle. When it first starts it is usually just a skip or two when you get on the throttle. As it advances, you end up with the gear being unusable and it sounding like a machine gun when you give it any throttle.

Check out the 2nd gear washer swap as well. I would highly recommend it while you have everything apart. Also, back cutting the 2nd gear dogs and slots while you have it apart. If you are planning on buying new gears, they are already back cut. There is not much worse than fixing 1st gear, putting it all back together and first is great but you shift into second and realize that it was slipping as well. Don't ask me how I know.

[mharrington]

Great info. Boy if its just worn skipping dogs I can handle that. Bent shift fork or forks- they can be replaced with engine in the frame?

[DiverRay]

YES!! You can pull the complete counter shaft out through the oil pan on the XS1100. Here is the link to the first part of the procedure: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5090
Just follow the bouncing ball, and sing the praise along with the great shifting. It took me a weekend to fix my transmission, and that was the FIRST time I'd ever gone into a bike transmission!

[mharrington]

So the second gear fix can be done with the bike right side up but to replace forks it really needs to be upside down??? I told the guys at the repair shop to nevermind looking at my bike and I picked it up. From reading here it sounds like I have worn dogs and fork issues. For my problems Ill need to flip the bike upsidedown to actually get to everything? I am confident I can tear into this thing but what scares me is that I DONT UNDERSTAND how everything works. If I get it apart Ill need to post pics for all to view and provide input.

[bikerphil]

Flipping the bike upside down isn't necessary, only if tou want to. Everything can be done on the centerstand. When i work on my trannys, I jack the rear up a little higher than the centerstand provides, and put jackstands under the passenger footpeg mounting brackets. A little extra clearance is nice. It will take you a few tries to get the forks back in, but it's not too big a deal. Don't forget about the washer swap mod while you're in there. I wouldn't reassemble one without doing this mod, but that is JMHO. There is plenty of info on this site to walk you thru the whole procedure. Good luck!

[Bigfoot]

Actually, I found that the shift forks were easier on the centerstand than with the engine upside down. One of them kept trying to fall down into the engine. To me, the only benefit would be that you don't have to lay on your back while working on it. Lots of extra work though. IMHO.

[slow mo]

i agree with the bug

most mechanics i have dealt with don,t know squat about the xs11 you seem to know some stuff so if i were you i would investigate this site all you can first ;;before maybe throwing your money away;;ride safe ,,slow mo!!

[mharrington]

I called the place where my bike is and told them to not look at it. From the info here I now know I have the second gear dilemma and a bent fork-forks? I was just on craigslist and going back a month there are 2 1982 Maxim 1100s for $500 obo. (Separate owners.) I though oh man an entire bike for less than $500 but both bikes have tranny problems. Actually they sound like they have the second gear problem only and not bent forks but I already have a project so Im gonna pass.

[Larrym]

Pandora and Her Box

I have one XS and a spare engine which came with the prior bike. Every time I see an XS for sale at $500 I almost go for it every time. I have the shop/garage space. The thought of all those spare parts is very enticing.

But I know I wouldn't be able to truly cannibalize the parts bike down to its bare bones. That would hurt. I'd have to get the bike running and usable.

Then I'd need a third parts bike. Repeat ad nauseum....

[Trainzz]

lol larry

it is a twisted sickness, isn't it?

[mharrington]

I removed the engine from my 1100 today. I removed it because Im not sure I am capable of fixing it so if I cant Ill be able to throw another in. IF I CAN fix it that Im gonna clean er up reeeeal nice (wink wink)
and put it back in. I flipped it upside down on my table and pulled the pan and oil pump. There was a retainer ring and washer lying in the sump..??. Of the dogs I can clearly see their edges are rounded as well as the edges of the receivers in their mating gear. The 2 shift forks I can see dont look bent. Do they look bent when they are bent?