Introduction

[rs2289]

Hi all, I am a new member and just thought I would say hi to all of you guys. I currently have a '79 XS1100SF that I bought about 15 years ago. Road it for a while then it ended up sitting under a tarp in my yard for the last 9 years. This past spring I decided (actually my pushed me to) completely rebuild and rehab the bike. It is a very slow process due to time and money constraints, but it is going well and the stuff you guys have previously posted has been completely invaluable. The bike only has about 9k original miles on it, but some rust and weather damage from sitting out for so long.

Completed so far:

- Stripped everything off the frame and repainted it with some POR15 in high gloss black
- Decided to paint the engine a flat black with some metal showing (for looks)
- Tested the complete electrical system (it all actually still works! yeah me)
- Brakes and levers were all seized. So I am currently rebuilding them.
- Had lost the Carb (long story there) just got one from OldBikeBarn.com; its pretty ragged but I hope to get it back to good shape
- Had the top end of the engine redone (still at the shop)

For the most part it will be stock with some minor changes a new color and eventually a change over to LED lights. My main goal is to get the darn thing incomplete but road worthy for next spring!

Thanks in advance for the help with this project!

Rob

[DGXSER]

Welcome aboard Rob!! You have a great start on it there. And best of all, sounds liek you are the PO, so you know all the things that have been done to the bike.

Good luck on your project, feel free to ask questions and we will give you answers, some of them may even be right.

[fredintoon]

Hi Rob and welcome,
like Don sez, for the past 15 years you have been your own PO.
Me too with my XS650 and that's both good; you know where the bastard lives: and bad; you can't reach his arse to kick it.

[Rasputin]

Past 15 yrs is a moment in time for these. Any PO may have done you wrong in many ways over the years, just your chances are better than some Welcome aboard and these guys will be able to point you in the right direction where you need help. I even make the odd post that is right Thing is that you are at the right place to do what you intend to do!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Rob,

Welcome to the site adn congrats on getting your machine back into condition. Mine sat for 9 years due to a busted trans, plus $$ problems, etc.. Then got a garage, $, gumption and tore into it.

You said you're having the topend worked on in the shop...are you talking just the head, or also the jugs/pistons/rings? With only 9k miles, the pistons/rings/cylinders should be in great shape aside from some "rust" if you didn't seal it up properly for storage like I "didn't" ! So hopefully it's just the valve seals and maybe the valves/seats and clearance/shims.

As for the electrical, glad it's working, but would still recommend you pull every connector, spritz with contact cleaner and then dielectric grease to prevent new corrosion. Also, if it still has the OEM fuseblock, would recommend replacing with a Solild ATCO style, see the For Sale Forum, Parts/services by members, sticky thread for info on one I resell at no profit.

Yes, good that you are working on the brakes, has been stated you want to be able to stop before you can go!

T.C.

[rs2289]

T.C.,

Good call on the Dielectric grease at the connectors. I didn't think of that. It still does have the stock fuse block. I am planning to replace that as I previously had to MacGyver two in-line fuses to get the thing to run.

Just the head is being redone. The piston, rings and all that fared well. I guess the tarp was in the right place there. I did have a small amount of water in the oil pan, but was able to clean the bottom half up well. New Valve seals and a valve lapping will help it breathe better. Also, the machine shop I am using specializes in racing and performance engines, so this is the first MC head he is working on. I think he is also planning on getting rid of the shim set up on the lifters so that I don't have to replace those anymore. (not really sure how is planning on that)

The head actually went there at first because a darn spark plug decided it liked being in the engine. Wanted to get it tapped out since I don't have a tap and die set. Figured he might as well do the valve job too after looking at the performance engines he was working on gave me a burst of confidence in his abilities.

This sight has helped out tremendously already. I just stocked up on Evapo-rust following a recommendation on here and that stuff has done wonders for killing the rusted parts. Never knew that stuff even existed. No more wire wheel!

[crazy steve]

...Also, the machine shop I am using specializes in racing and performance engines, so this is the first MC head he is working on. I think he is also planning on getting rid of the shim set up on the lifters so that I don't have to replace those anymore. (not really sure how is planning on that)....

If the guy hasn't done a motorcycle before, you might tell him to not be heavy-handed when he does the valves. Unlike a car, these don't generally take well to much grinding on the seats and/or valves. Usually just a very light clean-up and lapping is the most they need. I can't think of any way to eliminate the shims....