New Here, Just Saying Hi

[JpKnowmad]

I am a new member as well as a new XS owner. I actually don't even have the bike in my possession yet. It is being delivered to me this weekend. The bike is a 79 1100. It has a 17" rear wheel, no gauges, no seat, but it does have a 2003 GSX-R 750 front end. I got it for $850. The bike runs well but has some issues with low rpm idling and takeoff. All in all, I think I got a good deal.

I'm assuming the low rpm issues are either carb or ignition problems. I have been lurking around this site since I scheduled the delivery, and already have seen some great suggestions. I'm planning on putting a new ignition box, accel coil, geezer regulator, battery and new fuse block on. That should only be about a week, then it's off to the shop to let a pro setup the carbs for me. All other maintenence, repairs, and mods will be done by me. Just not a carb expert.

I haven't worked on motorcycles too much, but I have done alot of auto work, to include stuffing a 350/350 combo in an old s-10 I used to have.

I am a 28 year old former marine and current gi bill using college student. Currently living near Denver, Co. If any of you guys have questions, feel free. I was warned pictures would be wanted of the gsxr front end. As soon as my bike shows up(either tonight or sunday), I'll post some pics for you guys.

[fredintoon]

I am a new member as well as a new XS owner. - - -

Hi Jimmie and welcome,
part of the XS11's weirdness is that the engine runs backwards, not knowing this can lead to confusion.
And do you know if the new front end was done right?
Check the bike's wheelbase, Clymer's sez 60.8" from axle to axle which gives 5.12" trail.
Less trail (longer wheelbase) lightens the steering,
more trail (shorter wheelbase) makes the bike steer heavier.
Don't sweat a different measurement until after a road test, the "feel" is largely subjective.
Round gauges are more available and the speedo from any year of XS650/750/850/1100 will fit and read true.
Alas, unlike the speedos, the XS11 tach is electric and only an XS11 tach will work.
Square gauges are rarer as you are just about limited to finding used XS11 Standard gauges.
You didn't say if your fork upgrade came with a headlight or signals?
About taking the carbs to a shop; unless you are independently wealthy you can't afford to do that.
Besides, after the 3rd cleaning (and it usually takes 3 tries to get all the crud out) you will know more about those carbs than the spotty teenager you are paying $100+ an hour to learn about them.
And my carb cleaning tip:-
Do the carb work in a large cafeteria tray so those little parts can't fall on the floor and disappear.

[JpKnowmad]

Thanks Fred

About the front end conversion, I can't measure until the bike shows up. I was able to take it on a test ride and it handled really well.

It does have a headlight, but no turn signals. I'm not planning on running any turn signals so that isn't a problem to me.

About the tach, I do have the original tach, but was planning on getting an aftermarket digital speedo/tach. You said only the original will work. Does that include aftermarket options as well?

How expensive are we talking on the carb work? I would rather get someone that knows what they are doing for the initial carb tune/setup. I can drop 300-500 on it at the shop for carbs, but if it is much more than that I'll just do it myself I guess.

Thanks for your help, I love this site.

[natemoen]

Thanks Fred

About the front end conversion, I can't measure until the bike shows up. I was able to take it on a test ride and it handled really well.

It does have a headlight, but no turn signals. I'm not planning on running any turn signals so that isn't a problem to me.

About the tach, I do have the original tach, but was planning on getting an aftermarket digital speedo/tach. You said only the original will work. Does that include aftermarket options as well?

How expensive are we talking on the carb work? I would rather get someone that knows what they are doing for the initial carb tune/setup. I can drop 300-500 on it at the shop for carbs, but if it is much more than that I'll just do it myself I guess.

Thanks for your help, I love this site.

Don't know about Colorado for sure but most states require turn signals if the vehicle came with them from the factory, plus it gives cops a reason to pull you over if they want to and can't find anything better...

And just for safety reasons why wouldn't you want turn signals?

Most shops won't touch these bikes because they are too old and no one knows what to do with them anyways. The shops that will touch them are probably just looking for the paycheck at the end. Like Fred said, if you want to pay the per hour shop rate for some kid to learn how to work on your carbs go ahead, it may take you longer to do it but once you figure it out you NEVER have to take the bike to a shop again for carb work.

As to the tach, stock on the XS it runs off a pulsed signal that comes from the alternator. You could get an aftermarket set that runs off the coils but just remember that these bikes use a wasted spark system so you would need a tach that is meant for a 2 cylinder.

[fredintoon]

Thanks Fred

About the front end conversion, I can't measure until the bike shows up. I was able to take it on a test ride and it handled really well.

It does have a headlight, but no turn signals. I'm not planning on running any turn signals so that isn't a problem to me.

About the tach, I do have the original tach, but was planning on getting an aftermarket digital speedo/tach. You said only the original will work. Does that include aftermarket options as well?

How expensive are we talking on the carb work? I would rather get someone that knows what they are doing for the initial carb tune/setup. I can drop 300-500 on it at the shop for carbs, but if it is much more than that I'll just do it myself I guess.

Thanks for your help, I love this site.

Hi Jimmie,
if it rides right it is right. The wheelbase check is to see what's been done if it rides wrong.
Um, signals are a GOOD thing. The life they save may be your own.
A digital aftermarket speedo/tach will work if it's hooked up properly. What you loose is the stock speedo's reed switch that works the signal auto-canceller and the stock tach's (it's triggered by one phase of the alternator's output) non-operation telling you that the alternator ain't charging. The Standard's stock tach has a gas gauge so you loose that too.
IMHO $300/500 paid to get your carbs cleaned is $300/500 poured down the toilet.
DIY is the thing.
Even if you totally fritz them up the first time Andreas Weiss (he's your new best friend, find him in the parts for sale forum) will sell you another set for less than that.

[JpKnowmad]

Thanks again to both of you

Here is the speedo/tach I'd like to use
http://www.bikebandit.com/koso-rx-2-...and-tachometer

Here are the manufacturers installation instructions
http://www.kosonorthamerica.com/fCMS...t/BA010001.pdf

In the specs, it says it can be run on 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10, or 12 cylinders under 4 stroke.

Would that work? Man, those instructions don't look to be the most user friendly in the world. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I'm a decent parts changer haha.

Ok, I guess I'm going to have to put on some turn signals. It doesn't come with any right now, and there is no rear fender either. There is a brake light though, mounted on the rear of the frame. I know it's hard to picture, but I'll get some pics up later. Just got a call and it should be here around 3pm mountain time.

I guess I'm gonna bite the bullet and dive into the carbs myself. I know I'll have a bunch of questions to post once I start that fiasco.

[natemoen]

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...b+cleaning+101

Read through it several times. Follow it. Ask questions if your not sure.

[JpKnowmad]

Excellent thread Nate, Thanks again. I have read a few things about it being easier to tune these things with a yics eliminator installed. Would you guys recommend that for me since this will be my first carb teardown? Anything to make it easier sounds good to me.

[fredintoon]

Here is the speedo/tach I'd like to use
http://www.bikebandit.com/koso-rx-2-...and-tachometer

Hi Jimmie,
didja see the price of that thing? OK, if you can decipher the instructions it'll doubtless work for you but my cheapness gene reckons that's just another toilet to pour your money down.
I repeat, check the XS11 parts for sale forum. Betcha that $341 would see your bike with all the missing parts back on it.
BTW, a '79 XS1100 ain't got a YICS so you are one step ahead already.

[CaptonZap]

OK, for openers, if it has a 79-81 engine in it, the YICS thingus is a non issue. I live in So Denver, and I have a sync gauge, and can help you with the carbs. PM me with contact info, and we can work something out.
To steal BA80's thunder, you buy the beer, and we can make this work. $300 worth of beer will take us a long way. CZ

[JpKnowmad]

Yay, no yics.

I know its steep but I just love that digital cluster. After looking at the instructions though, It looks very complicated to install. Maybe I'll just go with the stock tach and use a gps for speed as the gsxr 600 speed sensor and original speedo aren't compatible together I believe.

Just found out the front end is from gsxr 600 not 750.

[crazy steve]

One thing you want to be careful of with that gixxer front end is being off a 600 sportbike, the springing/damping may be much too light for the XS11 weight. These aren't light machines (about 600 lbs wet), so that may be something that will need some rework.

Having done the 'bring 'em back from the dead' thing a time or two, I'd highly recommend getting all the major systems sorted out first before buying any expensive 'goodies'. And I'll add a +1 on the carb cleaning thing; I've seen too many guys who spent the $3-500 on a 'pro' job, only to have to redo it anyway...

Owning one of these will polish your mechanic skills, as 'parts changing' on these usually means finding a used part that isn't as broken as the one you have..

But they're great bikes and worth the effort (if not the $$$ ), so welcome!

[neJeff]

I am a new member as well as a new XS owner. I actually don't even have the bike in my possession yet. It is being delivered to me this weekend. The bike is a 79 1100. It has a 17" rear wheel, no gauges, no seat, but it does have a 2003 GSX-R 750 front end. I got it for $850. The bike runs well but has some issues with low rpm idling and takeoff. All in all, I think I got a good deal.

Price seems high with all it needs but I am hoping it works out fine. I am suppose to be buying some parts and might have some gauges if you decide to go the stock route. I'm anxious to see the pics...

[neJeff]

One thing you want to be careful of with that gixxer front end is being off a 600 sportbike, the springing/damping may be much too light for the XS11 weight. These aren't light machines (about 600 lbs wet), so that may be something that will need some rework.

Having done the 'bring 'em back from the dead' thing a time or two, I'd highly recommend getting all the major systems sorted out first before buying any expensive 'goodies'. And I'll add a +1 on the carb cleaning thing; I've seen too many guys who spent the $3-500 on a 'pro' job, only to have to redo it anyway...

Owning one of these will polish your mechanic skills, as 'parts changing' on these usually means finding a used part that isn't as broken as the one you have..

But they're great bikes and worth the effort (if not the $$$ ), so welcome!

Oh, and one thing I learned here...always listen to Crazy Steve. He's been there and done that already The carbs will seem overwhelming at first but if I can do them you can too. Carbs cleaned & synched and you'll be truly amazed

[latexeses]

Greetings,

Welcome,
I was a bit nervous about diggin' into the carbs as well. Just make sure you have screwdrivers that FIT.I used the cheap, clear plastic containers for leftovers to keep all of the parts together. Go slow and work on one at a time.
ASK QUESTIONS if you don't know.
This place is the Library of Yamis.


Also, download a manual for your bike from the link on any of (CatatonicBug)'s posts.