XS11 Newbie

[Namreoz]

Hi all. I recently purchased a '79 Eleven Special from an auction. It appears to be in good shape but I do not have any history on it. It only has 13K original miles and some surface rust. The tank is rust free on the inside and out and the spark plugs look o.k.

I am putting a new battery in her soon and want to see if she fires up. - I was told by a fellow rider to put automatic transmition fluid into the carbs through the spark plug holes in case it is not lubricated well enough. - any advice?

-Namreoz

[Snow]

Uhh, I think you mean in the cylinders, not the carbs. If you do put ATF in there, make sure you turn it over by hand or starter and do NOT fire it up (pull out all the spark plugs, she'll spin easier anyway).

I'm not sure how you are supposed to get the ATF completely out when you change the oil though :/ Engine Gurus: please correct me if I am wrong.

You could also try out SeaFoam instead, I believe...

I believe what the ATF does is that it frees sticking rings.

[sixtysix]

Check out this tip....http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...=&threadid=792 look under engine for my tips. Bur since the tank is clean...are there any registration dates or inspection stickers or anything to tell you the last time it was on the road? If less than two years I would not even worry about it.

[Namreoz]

Thanks guys. - No registration (no inspection in Michigan). Think I'll just put some penetrating oil in and then "pull the plugs and spin the motor with the starter." - My manual is on its way from Amazon so I will do all the basics before firing it up.

Thanks for your help guys!

[Namreoz]

The starter works great and the cylinders are pumping away. Chaninging the oil now and going to try and start her up sometime this evening. - Paid $160 for the bike at a repo auction and put about $80 into her so far..(and about 12 hours). This site and the manual has helped a lot in doing all the repairs and tune up myself.

[Namreoz]

She's Alive

OK, she is up and running. One problem. After about two minutes of starting, smoke starts to come out of cylinder #1. It is coming out right around where the exhaust pipe connects. – Any suggestions?

[ratbyk]

Smoke

Could be that the exhaust header pipe to cylinder head gasket is tired or you are still burning off the ATF you put in the cylinders. Likely a combination of both. Run it some more and see if it goes away. Parts or More have the exhaust gasket's at reasonable prices. It will likely cost more for shipping than the cost of the gaskets. If you do order I would suggest that you order more than just exhaust gaskets. Possibly master-cylinder rebuild kits? or brake pads or what ever else you are close to needing.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk

[Namreoz]

I really need front left brake pads, but they are out! ... I ran her somemore and the smoking seems to me disapearing. I am going to let her run somemore tonight.

- I also need a new back tire, anyone know how wide I can go?

[Steve Linderman]

New back Tire

Nameroz,
You can use a 130/90.16 in order to clear the shaft...
There a a million places to buy the "wrong set" and a 'coupla places to buy the "right ones"
Just type in Motorcycle tires on your search engine !!
And start comparing prices
Unless there is a clear difference in the age/wear of your two tires...I always start on a "new pair"...that way you know what you have...and you can see how many back tires it takes before you wear out your front
I've done 3 to 1...
And here in the WEST...that aint bad

Keep postin' and we'll help where we can

"130 MPH sure is fun...hope there aint no Police around"
Arlo Guthrie cir-1963

[Namreoz]

I just took her for a couple rides around the block. These things have some power! It took a while to warm up and some carb cleaner drastically improved the idle. It still needs some work, but I think I might be able to ride a few times yet this season.

- I really need new front brakes and www.partsnmoreonline.com is out of the left front. Any suggestions on another parts site?

[Snow]

a bit more expensive, but a much larger stock has Dennis Kirk . Also, they are in the US, so shipping generally is quicker than partsnmore. As a tip, I always order at least 1 fram oil filter every time I order from Dennis kirk, as they are only a few bucks.

[Jerry]

Many of us have had good luck on both Yamaha and non-Yamaha parts with:

Zanotti Motor Co. Inc.
170 Pittsburgh Road_
Butler, Pa._ _16001

OPEN M-W-F: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm,
T-TH: 9:00am - 6:00pm,_
Sat: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

TEL _(724) 283-2777 _ FAX _(724) 283-0383

E-mail: Zanmot@aol.com
Web page: http://www.zanottimotor.com/

Decent prices, good service.

[Namreoz]

Wow, twice the price...thats supply and demand for ya. - I can't seem to find a caliper rebuid kit on that site though. You know where they would be on there? I am pretty sure the left caliper piston is blown. - all the idiots at the auction squeezing the front brakes when they where just hanging there.

[Billbobow]

XS11 Newbie - Local Contact

Hi. My name is Bill and I am an Xsesive. I live in Muskegon. Boston Motors in Muskegon probably has what you need. Old time dealer, not one of the big box multi line stores, just straight Yamaha. Have gotten quite a bit of stuff there, may not be as cheap as internet, but no shipping and no waiting, just a trip to Muskegon.

Give me a shout off forum if you want to talk - I'll send you my phone number. Billbobow@cs.com

Welcome to the "club".

Bill Bowman

[fusionking]

Just about any bike shop, independant or otherwise should be able to make a pretty decent deal on EBC.