New member, western MA

[Hmar]

Hi all. I've been lurking a while, made a couple of posts, and getting ready to ask questiions. Figured it would be polite to introduce myself first
Live in Springfield, MA, picked up a 1981 XS11 Special 6 weeks ago, first bike even though I'm halfway through my 30s. The wife is finally speaking to me again, so that's good.
I love my XS, bought it by accident for $400 (was slod a honda cb 650, we couldn't get it running, so the guy that sold it to me felt so bad he got me the XS and traded even
I don't think I could ever be this happy with that Honda, even though the XS made me nervous at first, so I think I got a great deal, the bike doesn't have many issues (2nd gear problem, small oil leak, hates water)
I'm hoping I can ride it as is until snow flies, maybe fix some small stuff here and there, and fix it up over the winter.
If you made it this far through my long winded greeting, thanks for reading, and expect to see quite a few stupid newbie questions over the next few months, I'll search first, I promise.
Will post pics as soon as I get some decent ones, Bike is red and mostly stock, as far as I can tell the only add ons are the back rest and the Jardine exhaust. Could use a good washing, and polishing. Next year some paint, but for now I'll keep it as it is. It suits me

[bikerphil]

Welcome to the board, lotta good knowledgeable people here to help you on your way to have a great running bike.

[XSive Okie]

Welcome aboard! This is the most useful site you will ever find for these bikes. The folks on here are pretty patient, and will answer all "stupid" questions (I have had a few). Enjoy your new bike!

[Hmar]

Pic

Hi, I found one decent pic on my cell phone. hope this works..

[MrOzz]

Welcome to the site!

Nice looking ride! Make sure you put you model info in your signature, it helps when members are troubleshooting for you.


Ozz

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there and Welcome,

Yep, lots of info to be found by just looking in the tech tips, and the search function works well if not sometimes too well/too much/too many threads depending on the search word(s) criteria you use!

Also notice you've got the OEM buckhorn bars on there, you may find them and their wrist angle fatigueing after a while, lots of folks have put on other styles to be more comfortable.

There's a thread in the MISC forum about what to look for in a neglected XS11, will give you plenty to do over the winter, so you'll have a very reliable machine for next year.

The 2nd gear fix is a bit more advanced, but can still be done at home if you have a little mech ability and gumption! Would highly suggest working on the 1st gear while you're in there, and replacing the clutch springs as well, again you'll be in there, and the springs get sprung rather quickly with age.

Congrats on your FIRST bike, hope you've taken the MSF course as part of your licensing process? These machines aren't as hard to handle as folks think for their weight/size, but they can still BITE you badly!

T.C.

[Hmar]

Thanks!
Took the msf course before getting the bike.
I didn't like the handle bars at first, but they kind of grew on me.
I plan on getting some help when I tackle the 2nd gear, its actually not all that high on the list, since I am getting pretty used to just skipping it. (Hope this isn't hurting anyhitng else?)
first on my list will be the oil leak, which I think is either valves or rings, because the oil is leaking from the far right exhaust port in front, and so far I've ruined the right leg on most of my pants (try hiding that from the wife! At least I do my own laundry)
I have been really impressed with the info and attitudes that I see on this site, and am very happy to be a part of it. I never realized how friendly bikers are (even my first ride on the street, feeling awful because I couldn't bring myself to release my white knuckled grip on the handlebars to return a wave)
I am having fun both riding, and talking to people about bikes, I should have done this years ago

[motoman]

because the oil is leaking from the far right exhaust port in front, and so far I've ruined the right leg on most of my pants/////////The pants......no help there, but maybe can save any future pant damage. That oil is likely coming from the cam-chain adjuster in center front of motor and blowing back thru opening between cyl. cooling fins. The rubber plug in that housing gets hard and brittle and no longer seals like it should. Lots of info here for fixing it or the better option of swapping it out for an auto cam chain tensioner. BTW, see that coil wires have been changed to the Accel's........maybe coils also?

[cywelchjr]

Thanks!
Took the msf course before getting the bike.
I didn't like the handle bars at first, but they kind of grew on me.
I plan on getting some help when I tackle the 2nd gear, its actually not all that high on the list, since I am getting pretty used to just skipping it. (Hope this isn't hurting anyhitng else?)
first on my list will be the oil leak, which I think is either valves or rings, because the oil is leaking from the far right exhaust port in front, and so far I've ruined the right leg on most of my pants (try hiding that from the wife! At least I do my own laundry)
I have been really impressed with the info and attitudes that I see on this site, and am very happy to be a part of it. I never realized how friendly bikers are (even my first ride on the street, feeling awful because I couldn't bring myself to release my white knuckled grip on the handlebars to return a wave)
I am having fun both riding, and talking to people about bikes, I should have done this years ago

That is most likely coming from the valve cover, very often confused as being from the exhaust port as it runs down and actually drips from there. Should be not too hard to fix, just need to remove the valve cover and reseal it, many here remove the gasket and use a good high temp RTV, some use a product called "the right stuff" which you don't even have to make sure the oil is cleaned up with, but it's a bit pricey.

[MrOzz]

That is most likely coming from the valve cover, very often confused as being from the exhaust port as it runs down and actually drips from there. Should be not too hard to fix, just need to remove the valve cover and reseal it, many here remove the gasket and use a good high temp RTV, some use a product called "the right stuff" which you don't even have to make sure the oil is cleaned up with, but it's a bit pricey.

Thats what I use. It is the right stuff, lol.

Here is the one I use.

http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...sket_Maker.htm

[Hmar]

because the oil is leaking from the far right exhaust port in front, and so far I've ruined the right leg on most of my pants/////////The pants......no help there, but maybe can save any future pant damage. That oil is likely coming from the cam-chain adjuster in center front of motor and blowing back thru opening between cyl. cooling fins. The rubber plug in that housing gets hard and brittle and no longer seals like it should. Lots of info here for fixing it or the better option of swapping it out for an auto cam chain tensioner. BTW, see that coil wires have been changed to the Accel's........maybe coils also?

What is the signifigance of Accel wires/ coils?
Thanks

[3Phase]

What is the signifigance of Accel wires/ coils?
Thanks

The Accels are better coils and wires than the stock ones and you can get rid of the ballast resistor if your bike has one so there's one less thing to go worng with the ignition.

[Hmar]

Ok, thanks. I'll look it up before I ask what a ballast resistor is
I'm going after the valve cover this weekend, I'll check the coils then.

[bikerphil]

Hmar, you won't find a ballast resistor on your 81, the 80 was the last year that had them.

[Hmar]

Phill, You saved me some time and frustration, since I was going to look for it when I got home today. Thanks