XS1100 Standard for $1.00

[CRXSi90]

We don't have a sewing machine. It sounds like your close. What year bike do you have? Have you done any mods to your bike?

Well, that's a long story, starting 300 miles and nearly 9 years ago. Let's just say that things didn't go as planned...or maybe that I just didn't have a plan. The current situation is that the bike is in storage 300 miles away, needs some repair to get back on the road, and my apartment complex isn't very friendly to people who care to work on their vehicles. But I come here anyway to torture myself/dream about the motorcycle. I'm working on a plan where I might be able to pull it all together this spring though...we'll see if I can make that happen.

Until then, the thing that you will find between my legs is a 1981 Kawasaki KE175 2-stroke motorcycle. This is probably what I'll be on for the Slimey Crud Run.

If you do care to undertake the seat cover endeavor, I have a sewing machine. No guarantees that it can sew the vinyl, though. I've had some trouble sewing canvas and velcro for other projects, but we can test it out on your old cover if you want. Otherwise, I'm sure you'll be able to find a suitable upholstery shop around here.

[TheRev]

Well, that's a long story, starting 300 miles and nearly 9 years ago. Let's just say that things didn't go as planned...or maybe that I just didn't have a plan. The current situation is that the bike is in storage 300 miles away, needs some repair to get back on the road, and my apartment complex isn't very friendly to people who care to work on their vehicles. But I come here anyway to torture myself/dream about the motorcycle. I'm working on a plan where I might be able to pull it all together this spring though...we'll see if I can make that happen.

Until then, the thing that you will find between my legs is a 1981 Kawasaki KE175 2-stroke motorcycle. This is probably what I'll be on for the Slimey Crud Run.

If you do care to undertake the seat cover endeavor, I have a sewing machine. No guarantees that it can sew the vinyl, though. I've had some trouble sewing canvas and velcro for other projects, but we can test it out on your old cover if you want. Otherwise, I'm sure you'll be able to find a suitable upholstery shop around here.

That's a small bike. No wonder your dreaming of the XS. What mods have you done on your XS?

[TheRev]

Does anyone know where I can get one of those spin on oil adapters? I tried to email the member in the post but it came back as a retired address. I sure would like one of those. It would make things much easier.

[crazy steve]

Does anyone know where I can get one of those spin on oil adapters? I tried to email the member in the post but it came back as a retired address. I sure would like one of those. It would make things much easier.

Send a PM to TopCatGr58....

[CRXSi90]

That's a small bike. No wonder your dreaming of the XS. What mods have you done on your XS?

Yep, the Kawasaki goes about 62 MPH at WOT.

My modifications to the XS have taken the form of accelerated entropy. I.E. take parts off with the best of intentions and they never end up getting back on. Right now, the bike is in northern Wisconsin, the carbs are here with me in Madison, and pieces of the headlight switch is at a relative's in northern Wisconsin. My apartment complex isn't very friendly to people who care to work on their things, so I'm hoping to rent a storage unit in Middleton so I can get the bike down here and start making things happen.

As far as mods I'd like to do...the fairing is somewhat busted up from being dropped a few times, so I think I'd like to pull that off and maybe add back a clear bar-mounted shield. I'd also like to change the handle bars to something that's not the tiller-style bars. Other than that, just a lot of maintenance...clean brake system, new brake lines, finish fuse box wiring, grease driveshaft splines and wheel bearings, change fork oil, etc...

As a side note, if you ever hear of any garage space for rent, please let me know.

[TheRev]

Cam Chain Tensioner

Today I replaced and upgraded my Cam Chain Tensioner. I followed the instructions from a thread started by CodyLane. Thanks CodyLane!! Anyhow, here is what i did. I bought a automatic cam chain tensioner from e-bay for 9 bucks and free shipping. The tensioner is from a Yamaha Raptor 660. This is what it looks like.



This tensioner is just like the Vision tensioner that others are using. It auto ratchets so there is no need to adjust.

Here are the exact steps I took to complete this mod.

1: I removed the timing cover
2: I turned the engine clockwise with a 6 mm hex key until the "C" lined up with the pointer.
3: I removed the two 5mm hex bolts from the original cam chain tensioner.

Here is what my original tensioner looked like.







Nasty, thick oil and road crud was everywhere.

4: I removed as much of the old paper gasket as possible by hand. However, the engine has been sitting for 16 years it it's own grime so there was a considerable amount of gasket stuck to the engine.

5: I used a power sander and lightly (LIGHTLY) sanded the old gasket off.









The old gasket material was no match for my awesome sander.

I went and bought some gasket material from NAPA. Each square has one side that contains some adhesive. Simply peal the white paper off and it sticks. Each square cost 69 cents. What a deal.





6: I loosened and removed the 19mm bolt along with the spring and copper washer from the new tensioner.



7: I then depressed the ratchet arm on the new tensioner and pushed the plunger all the way into the tensioner.

8: I took some construction paper and cut a small "X" in the center. I then (slowly) pressed the new tensioner through the "X" and trimmed back the paper until I had a hole that matched the exact shape of the new tensioner.

9: I then traced this shape onto the "gasket" square. I then cut the gasket and made a hole for the new tensioner.



10: I cleaned the new tensioner real well with engine degreaser and then with rubbing alcohol.

11: I pealed back the white paper and pressed the gasket onto the new tensioner (sticky side toward the tensioner).

12: I then trimmed the gasket back (however I left plenty of gasket overlap).

13: I then placed the new tensioner into the engine.

14: I placed the two original hex bolts through the new tensioner and lined them up with the appropriate holes on the engine.

15: I started each hex bolt by hand just to get them started.

16: I then "Carefully" tightened one hex bolt a full turn then the other bolt a full turn. I continued this back and forth action until the tensioner was tight, this was a critical step just in case the alignment was off. In my case the alignment was perfect. However, you do want to tighten slowly just in to be careful. The new tensioner bolt holes may need to be opened up with a file but only if the alignment is off.





17: Once the tensioner was tight I trimmed off the excess gasket with a razor blade.





18: I then placed the 19mm bolt, spring, and copper washer into the tensioner and tightened it down.





This was by far the easiest mod and one of the most rewarding mod I have done yet. Clean and easy. It only took 30 minutes.

[TheRev]

So I got my frame back from powder coating. It turned out great. Here are some pics I took today.

[TheRev]

I had my seat reupholstered. I had it made real plain. I did however put a gel pad under the driver portion. I hope it will be more comfortable.

[DGXSER]

One note on the gel pads, I have seen others do that and not be to happy in the end as the gel will absorb heat and be hotter than blue blazes when you go to get on after it sits out in the sun.

Looks AWESOME though! Great work!!

[TheRev]

Oh! That sucks. I wish I knew that before I had the seat done. Oh well. I guess I will need to park in the shade. I was hoping it will help with my lower back by spreading my weight over the entire surface of the seat. Thanks for the advise.

[Tat2demon]

I just took mine in last week. Fortunately my guy knew about the heat issue and told me about it when we were planning. He does his gel pads with a layer of regular foam or memory foam on top. Hopefully will get mine back early this week.

[WMarshy]

Nice progress. JAT, after the timing chain adjuster was put in you should have rotated the wngine a few revolutions to makr sure all the slack was taken out. We've seen so many people make mistakes doing the mod it sucks hearing about bent valves and what not. I'd go back in the cover and turn the engine over 3-5 times by hand for good measure.

FYI, I hope no sanding grit made it into the engine... you should have shoved a paper towel in the hole first...

[snakedriver]

Wow dude. That powder coated frame looks bad to the freakin' bone. That is going to be one sweet XS!

[CRXSi90]

Black and polished aluminum for the wheels is not exciting, but I think it's a classy combo. I've seen an accent pin-stripe around the wheel which usually turns out tasteful. All the pieces are looking great. I can't wait to see how it comes together!

[DeanLH]

That is one hell of a nice build, may I ask what you gave for the wiring harness on Ebay ?