OH dear, I must be a sick man :-)

[3Phase]

Nice! At least it's mostly clean and intact!

[79XS11F]

Ya she is a nearly complete bike. I gave her a real quick wash after work today and changed out the oil. Only 2 liters came out so she was low to say the least. Also did a cam chain tension adjustment. Just doing the oil and cam chain reduced engine noise substantially. Fuel tank has NO RUST in it to be seen. Added some Sea Foam for good measure. Battery seems strong, Radio works but at least one speaker is blown or no longer connected, Most of the chrome is in good shape including the saddle bag wrap around. All in all she appears to be a good find. I will know better after I run the usual assessment tests and really get to her.
While doing the cam chain adjustment I noticed that the pick up wires have been Micky mouse repaired with black electrical tape. That's likely why she is missing when the throttle is given a quick twist. I guess I will have to start another bike building thread ...
Rob

[BigRed]

Nice find; looks like a real gem!

If you're not going to use that seat and you're thinking of selling it, let me know. Don't know if you remember, but my seat was modified by the PO and doesn't fit too great up to the gas tank.

Good luck on the build; let me know if you need a spare pair of hands.

[79XS11F]

So I have done it again. I went out and bough another bike yesterday. I picked up a Honda CBX 550 just like the Nephew's. It needs a con rod bearing so it was cheap. The lad I got it from has the head and jugs off and all the parts are labeled and in containers. This will be a "back burner" project for me. I'll post some pics of her the next time it's DRY outside.
Rob

[79XS11F]

Well, today I cleaned the carbs, replaced the brake fluid and bleed the brakes, changed the middle gear fluid and drained the final drive fluid but could not fill it. Filler plug is striped so I will have to work on that one. Changed the clutch and throttle cables. Cleaned and di-electric greased all electrical connections, changed the oil.
Next up I need to change out the air box due to a fire the PO must of had, adjust the headset bearing, replace the universal joint boot, change the oil filter 9 afraid OT look in there... From what I am seeing, this bike was bough, used and never serviced. Everything is factory and in need of HELP!!
Here's a photo from last fall after I took the Travel pack out her.



Rob

[xsroadrunner]

Thats a sweet bike Rob...well worth the effort.

[79XS11F]

True to my belief this bike has never been maintained. 50,000 on the clock and the head set bearing have never been touched. There are no adjustment or tool marks on much of anything. So the head set bearing are soo worn that the front wheel will move about 3/8 of an inch in any direction when the front wheel is off the ground. When I adjusted the bearing to firm them up a bit it seems to be that the wear NOTCH in the center position of the bearing is deep enough that the front end can be close to locked in the center position like a factory default detain. Sort of like the chock rod on the carbs LOL I bet wheel bearings all round are toast as well.
Rob

[79XS11F]

Question for 80 special owner about clutch cable

I installed a new clutch cable after doing the internal clutch adjustment. When I went to hook up the cable at the level I see that it appears somewhat short. My question is, does the special make use of the lock wheel at the level. It seems that if the lock wheel was not in the set up the cable would be perfect. Note that the cable is the correct cable.
Rob

[79XS11F]

Synced the carbs and she is running pretty good. Next up for the engine is valve adjustment and cam chain adjuster gasket replacement. Leaking like a sieve. I guess I will plan on doing the fork oil when the head set bearings come out of her.
Another question, Does the 80 special use the front turn signals as running lights like the standards?
Rob

[cywelchjr]

Synced the carbs and she is running pretty good. Next up for the engine is valve adjustment and cam chain adjuster gasket replacement. Leaking like a sieve. I guess I will plan on doing the fork oil when the head set bearings come out of her.
Another question, Does the 80 special use the front turn signals as running lights like the standards?
Rob

No, specials don't use the front signals as running lights like standards do, they use single filament bulbs rather than dual like the standards.

[cywelchjr]

I installed a new clutch cable after doing the internal clutch adjustment. When I went to hook up the cable at the level I see that it appears somewhat short. My question is, does the special make use of the lock wheel at the level. It seems that if the lock wheel was not in the set up the cable would be perfect. Note that the cable is the correct cable.
Rob

Yes, the special does use the lock wheel just like the standard does.

[79XS11F]

Yes, the special does use the lock wheel just like the standard does.

Hmmm, I guess I am going to have to shorten the cables outer casing or I will not be able to adjust the clutch normally. The clutch is used-loaded with all the normally used parts in place. This may be why the PO did not have the locking wheel in place. Hope the clutch is not messed up somehow.
Rob

[79XS11F]

No, specials don't use the front signals as running lights like standards do, they use single filament bulbs rather than dual like the standards.

OK, that means someone has switched out the bulb holders or is using turn signals from a different model with round lenses that did use the the front or back signals as marker lights. It's easy enough to fix in any case. I'll pull the guts out of the signals from my 79 special parts collection.
Rob

[tom clisham]

Great buy!

I've got a full dress special & love it. Got a naked standard, but they're different colors, so can't really change things over without paint.You'll like the special cruiser.

Good luck!

[windjammergump]

first xs special

had a kz1100 couldnt get title issues fixed bought a 81 with 20,000 miles on it rode a month...topend hard to find pistons....had carbs clearned before first ride....after rebuild had to rejet....plus guages ,front forks,new head light ears, now guess what ppl old starter will not crank over new top end so starter , and in need of back tire, went from 650.00 to 1700 plus quick are there really worth it i cant quit and cant sell like it is please help me with what to do when she is right i see some do 100,000 and hope i am through after the starter comes in.....just dont know...she will FLY now but will not crank...