New Member from Michigan !!

[bearcats101]

Hello all !

I picked this baby up a couple days ago and I just got it all titled, plated, and insured today. It has 7,400 miles on it, new tires, plugs, battery, and supposedly a good carb cleaning but I have my doubts.....

I paid $750 for it and it is my first road bike

The Good:
Price
Low Miles
Tires
Plugs
Battery
Exhaust system is Solid ! No through pitting or rust !

The Ok:
Wiring all works corectly but was kind of bundled together, PO replaced all glass fuses with mini's (I guess those are an issue on these)

Seems to have a slight pop/tiny miss at idle, goes away after warm and driving ? Right side exhaust pipe so cyl 3 or 4 I think ? May be related to #4 pipe being blue ?

The Bad:
Dent in gas tank on right side

Seat is not correct, has horizontal eyelets and no rear cowl, I need one with a cowl that has the vertical mount tracks and nuts. Anyone have one LOL ?

Needs both side covers

Headlight assembly is all wrong (Circular) and cobbled together.
I want to take it back to original with Square Assembly. Parts anyone ?

Petcock on left side has slight leak, I will go through both.

Missing bolts on starter cover.......yikes see pic of left side engine and you will see the 2 piece cover hangs low on the right side part of it.


To do list:
Change all oils (Engine/Trans, Middle, Rear)
Get the power ball and the chrome polish out
Ride It !

Questions, Comments and advice is welcome ! Have a good one !

[bikerphil]

Hey welcome aboard, you are at the right place to get one of these old gals back in shape. Parts you need shouldn't be too hard to find. Check around on Ebay and contact member Andreashweiss for used parts. Good luck, ride safe.

[dondons1984]

I have the same issue with my left side petcock. Let me know what you find out cause it seems this is common on these bikes. I read somewere on here that you can convert to just one petcock but it seemed to risky to me to have to seal up the other and risk messing my new bike up. Not to mention I only paid 250 for it and it is in mint condition minus a small dent right side of my tank also. rather than that it is sweet. And welcome to the forum and group.

[DenyP]

Welcome to the group. These are wonderful machines worth every once of TLC given!

Deny

[natemoen]

Welcome! Looks like a pretty good place to start! What year is it?

[GLoweVA]

Nate, it's a '79. Notice the kickstart shaft nub.
Plus I think he put it in is signature too.

[IanDMacDonald]

Looks nice. If you are looking for help, etc., let me know. Shoot me a PM or email and I'd be glad to help.

[mikubuilder]

welcome!
I'm close by as well so any questions, shoot me a PM

[dondons1984]

I swapped my 76 cb750 gasket on ring and I don't leak anymore. Its temporary till I get the rebuild kit but hey it works. If u need help let everyone know. I know Andreas has parts. Send him a PM

[DGXSER]

Welcome to the madness of XS11 ownership! And welcome to the board as well!!

I picked this baby up a couple days ago and I just got it all titled, plated, and insured today. It has 7,400 miles on it, new tires, plugs, battery, and supposedly a good carb cleaning but I have my doubts.....

Every bike ever sold either just needs a good carb cleaning, or the carbs were just cleaned and synched.....no really....just yesterday...by a pro....really.

I paid $750 for it and it is my first road bike

I'd say you got a good deal considering it runs and is road worthy as is!! I would recommend taking the MSF safety course if you have not. Road riding has a lot more dangers to be prepared for, mostly the folks in the four wheel vehicles that forget we two wheeled vehicles are there. The MSF course gives you some good tools to be ready for them.

Wiring all works corectly but was kind of bundled together, PO replaced all glass fuses with mini's (I guess those are an issue on these)

Yes, the factory fuse box is a weak spot. The Admin here TopCat buys a replacement fuse box in bulk and resells them to the members here.

Seems to have a slight pop/tiny miss at idle, goes away after warm and driving ? Right side exhaust pipe so cyl 3 or 4 I think ? May be related to #4 pipe being blue ?

Might, you can try adding some Seafoam to a tank of fuel and run it through see if it clears up. May just need to open the mix screw a 1/4 turn on no 4 carb. OR maybe no 4 carbs enrichment jet in the fuel bowl needs cleaned.

Missing bolts on starter cover.......yikes see pic of left side engine and you will see the 2 piece cover hangs low on the right side part of it.

I do not believe your missing screws there. The left side of that is a bearing cover, the right side is part of the starter itself. If the bolts were missing, the starter would be loose.

The side covers can be tough to come by. Not sure on the square headlight assembly. But Ebay, Andreis, and the parts wanted section of this site are definitely your best bet for parts you need.

Nice looking F model, hope you get many miles of smiles out of it!!!

[natemoen]

Nate, it's a '79. Notice the kickstart shaft nub.

One cannot always go by such minor things. Anyone can add the kickstart, or swap engines.

If it was in the Sig before them I just missed it.

[bearcats101]

Hey welcome aboard, you are at the right place to get one of these old gals back in shape. Parts you need shouldn't be too hard to find. Check around on Ebay and contact member Andreashweiss for used parts. Good luck, ride safe.

Hey Thanks !

[bearcats101]

One cannot always go by such minor things. Anyone can add the kickstart, or swap engines.

If it was in the Sig before them I just missed it.

I dont know all the key Identifying tid-bits yet but I am learning ! Vin Matches on frame and engine so that is a plus.

[bearcats101]

I have the same issue with my left side petcock. Let me know what you find out cause it seems this is common on these bikes. I read somewere on here that you can convert to just one petcock but it seemed to risky to me to have to seal up the other and risk messing my new bike up. Not to mention I only paid 250 for it and it is in mint condition minus a small dent right side of my tank also. rather than that it is sweet. And welcome to the forum and group.

I cant believe you only paid $250, nice ! I plan on rebuilding both petcocks or buying new ones (Peace of mind)

[bearcats101]

Welcome to the madness of XS11 ownership! And welcome to the board as well!!




Every bike ever sold either just needs a good carb cleaning, or the carbs were just cleaned and synched.....no really....just yesterday...by a pro....really.



I'd say you got a good deal considering it runs and is road worthy as is!! I would recommend taking the MSF safety course if you have not. Road riding has a lot more dangers to be prepared for, mostly the folks in the four wheel vehicles that forget we two wheeled vehicles are there. The MSF course gives you some good tools to be ready for them.



Yes, the factory fuse box is a weak spot. The Admin here TopCat buys a replacement fuse box in bulk and resells them to the members here.



Might, you can try adding some Seafoam to a tank of fuel and run it through see if it clears up. May just need to open the mix screw a 1/4 turn on no 4 carb. OR maybe no 4 carbs enrichment jet in the fuel bowl needs cleaned.



I do not believe your missing screws there. The left side of that is a bearing cover, the right side is part of the starter itself. If the bolts were missing, the starter would be loose.

The side covers can be tough to come by. Not sure on the square headlight assembly. But Ebay, Andreis, and the parts wanted section of this site are definitely your best bet for parts you need.

Nice looking F model, hope you get many miles of smiles out of it!!!

1. Carbs are going to a pro to be cleaned up, checked out and Dyna Jetted, bike runs lean and also leans out in the high rpm, and peace of mind knowing my guy will do them right ! Plus im adding in-line fuel filters and making sure all the Fuel Lines and Vacuum lines are routed and blocked off correctly !

2. I consider myself to be a good rider, I of course have an endorsement, but I have been riding everything under the sun since I was big enough. Ridden others bikes just never had my own. (Learned on a VTX 1800 )

3. My fuses have been replaced but I would love to clean them up and get them back into a block if possible, mine is a nest of tape right now

4. Seafoam was added along with some 94 octane gas and plenty of throttle It was a 50% improvement from when I bought it. Really woke up, still not perfect though.

5. Starer was in fact missing the upper and lower bolt, luckily having jap bike bolt kits laying around solved that problem.

6. Side Covers and correct seat need to be bought and then all paint work will be done. (Cant wait!) Headlight assembly will be a process. I think the seat and headlight assembly are off of a Honda, works for now but i like cleanliness

7. Guy who originally sold it to me thought it was a 78 but after I ran the vin I know it is a 79. Had a 6/78 vin decal. And I put 450 miles on it this weekend

Thanks for your input !