What did you do to your bike today?

[WMarshy]

Im getting a new tire on monday and the old one wasnt flat yet so I decided to have a little fun...







Im going to remove the dif and lube the shaft splines while I have the tire off too.

[Crazcnuk]

"Normal operation has the light come on regardless of the switch position when you start the engine. If you want it to come on before cranking the engine, flip the switch to on. But, without blowing a fuse or bulb etc. it should always be on with the engine running."

For the 80+ ones yes, but for 78E (and 79F?) there is an on off switch on the right hand handlebar, if I remember correctly.

[tinman905]

I installed a crank case filter from mikesXS. I cut the hose just above the 90 degree bend in the hose. The diameter of the inlet of the filter was smaller than the diameter of the crank case hose so I added a spacer/sleeve left over from a set of shocks

[draketrumpet]

"Normal operation has the light come on regardless of the switch position when you start the engine. If you want it to come on before cranking the engine, flip the switch to on. But, without blowing a fuse or bulb etc. it should always be on with the engine running."

For the 80+ ones yes, but for 78E (and 79F?) there is an on off switch on the right hand handlebar, if I remember correctly.

I have a 78E. The on off switch is only relevant before you start the bike. Unless this is some feature exclusive to the pacifico fairing wiring harness, this should be true of all 78s (probably 79s too) with the on off switch.

[Pat Kelly]

I also swapped the license plates back to the correct bike(s) yesterday. Still can't ride either (legally) as wife didn't register either and let insurance lapse on both (all our vehicles for that matter).

Tho registration had lapsed/been suspended, the LG plate had a good sticker through 4/10. I stuck that one on the E so I had transportation when my pick-up was down for a bit.

[Crazcnuk]

I am not too worried about the 'function' of the switch, but I need to know how it was wired. The PO did a hatchet job installing a newer style switch and now the headlight doesn't come on at all.

[exquized1]

Today I received my new handlebars and coils. Went outside to work on the bike and it started to rain. Went back inside and played the Wii!

[Crazcnuk]

Took the carbs off the parts 79SF. Took them apart and they are soaking in carb cleaner (all but the bodies). Will clean, set up and reassemble, then try them on the 78E.

[these2boots]

today...

...i did the por-15 marine clean for the tank. tomorrow is acid. a few days after that will be the coating. then fire her up and see what else is wrong! i'm really hoping after 14 years of sitting she just fires. had good signs from spraying gas into the cylinders. we shall see how bad the carbs are at this point.

[cywelchjr]

Well, I finally finished prepping the tank and painted it. Was really enjoying the look of the nice fresh color changing paint on the tank (had everything but the fairing done at this point), then when leaving Church on Sunday, I DROPPED IT!!!!! With a FULL tank of Kalifornia acid gas in it. Truly found out that my cap seal doesn't even slow down the flow. So it ate the gas right off the tank by the cap! Now I've got to figure out if I can repair the damage to the paint without repainting the entire tank. Then yesterday I want to an exhibit and it was cold and wet, so I wore my leather jacket, and forgot to buckle the belt on it, and the buckle scratched the paint right in front of the seat. I'm really starting to get pissed on at myself.

So, now I have to fix two spots on the tank (hopefully in the next day or two before the paint cures) and paint the fairing. Then pictures, and I guess I better do them quick before I do something else to mess up the paint job. That's a good reason for not trying to make it look better. If it's ratty, you don't care about a scratch or spilling some gas on it. I'll get a picture of the damage before I fix it to post with the final pictures, and at least everyone can point and laugh when/if they meet me.

[hightec_redneck]

ok, the engine is in the frame

I put the engine in the frame last night, since a friend stoped by and offered to lend a hand. I just sat the seat on it, side covers, and tank, to get a look at where I am. The pictures of before and now are below. Maybe tonight I will work on the front end.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[TexinMaine]

I bought it. 1980 Special. looks to be in great shape and only had 6445 miles on it. I took a quick 60 mile ride after getting registered and inspected. Runs great, paint is interesting, it is black but in sunlight there are red flecks. By the way hello to all, looks like a nice site and has some great info.

[grahamfam3]

I bought a 1981 XS11 about a week ago, and it is having problems with flooding when starting. Today there was a break in the rain for a few hours, so I managed to get it started and rode it to a bike shop where it can be looked at. I suspect gas was left in the tank? Unfortunately I don't know enough to fix it myself, but appreciate the wealth of knowledge on this website!

BTW, I got one with a fairing and mounted hard bags. I suspect that is the "D" version?

[Crazcnuk]

The red flecks are normal. Depending on the year, there were red, blue or gold flakes in the paint.

'D' version?

Yours will be an XS1100H, or SH Depending on whether it is a 'Standard' or 'Special'.

There are also midnight Specials, LH I think?

The bags, and fairing, if they are Yamaha ones, make it a 'Venturer'

As for mine, I put the other set of carbs on teh 78, and synched, mixture set. So far it seems to be running good, but have to try it on the road.

[tcoop]

Rebuilt the rear master control Now I have brakes all around. Now to ge the battery charged/replaced so that I can ride again.