Hello XS11.com

[Insomniac]

Hello all, I just purchased my first motorcycle in 30 years, that I know nothing about and wanted to say hello to the XS family.
One of my friends purchased a storage locker and sold this 1980 XS1100 special to me for $250. I flushed out the fuel system and after cleaning all the varnish out of the carbs, she fired right up. It has 17,159 miles, the last time it was registered expired in 1986.
I will have many questions that I apologize for in advance, I am sure every question has already been answered on this website of plethora information.
The trans only shifts between first and neutral not running. I have not changed out all the fluids but was wondering if it will free up after I warm it up and start spinning the trans, or is there something I should look into first?


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[ESJr1642]

Man, $250!!!! What a great deal.

Storage Wars anyone??

[haywardguy929]

Welcome aboard and I agree what a great deal WOW! Congradulations and be careful when you take your first ride..lol Sounds like your on the right track for changing out fluids.

[dpotter58]

roll it back and forth a little as you try to get second gear. It will probably go. These things shift like tractors.

[BA80]

Kinda sounds like a pin fell out of the shift drum.


Welcome to the site.


That your shop? Like the T Bird

[DGXSER]

First, welcome to the site! And congrats on a REALLY CHEAP purchase of a very nice condition bike!!

Now if this is your first motorcycle, or the first time you have riden in alot of years, I highly suggest taking the MSF basic rider course! It is alot of great information and good skills to learn!

Now, as to the shifting. The way the gears interlock in the transmission is that there is a "dog" or male stub off the gear that slides into slots in the adjoining gear. While the transmission is not turning, the dog may or may not align with a slot in its adjoining gear, so it may or may not shift to the next gear. That is why you will want to either roll the bike a little, or manually rock the back wheel to get the gears to shift. As you go from one gear to the next, and again shifting back down, you will need to move the rear wheel, which turns the gears in the transmission so the slots align with the dogs.

[Insomniac]

Kinda sounds like a pin fell out of the shift drum.


Welcome to the site.


That your shop? Like the T Bird

I hope I wont have to split this case to get it to shift...going to hold out on the idea that the trans is all locked up after sitting since 1986. I should tear it completely down and rebuild everything, but it IS riding season now and am hoping for some luck.

Yes and the 55 t-bird is getting a 4.6L SVT supercharged motor from a late model Cobra (not to upset the purists out there) and a 68 Olds 442 on the rotisserie. I just build what the customers ask for.

[Insomniac]

Now if this is your first motorcycle, or the first time you have riden in alot of years, I highly suggest taking the MSF basic rider course! It is alot of great information and good skills to learn!

Now, as to the shifting......

Thank you I have just registered for the course, I've owned many dirt bikes over the years and my last street bike was an RD400 and that bike was a BLAST to ride! But the one thing I do remember was that drivers would just look right "through" me and pull out in front of me. I signed up for the course so I can be reminded of those types of things....for a start.
The shop floor is to slick to "rock" the motor/trans, but I will let you know.

[DGXSER]

If the wheel is free, and it is on the center stand, you should be able to just grab the rear wheel and move it forward or backward a few inches and it will shift.

As to the others on the road, I just assume they all have a goal of killing me. Anything they can do that would be detrimental to me, they are scheming how to do it. My job is to keep them from it.

[Yahman]

Welcome to the site, good to have another member in Oregon. Great deal on a nice looking bike.

Ride safe,
Larry

[Insomniac]

Welcome to the site, good to have another member in Oregon. Great deal on a nice looking bike.

Ride safe,
Larry

Thank you Larry, I have found the right site and people to help make this bike what it should be.

Incredible build on your friends 79 XS1100SF !! Seriously, Incredible job, looks amazing. What is the paint you used on the motor? Seems to have the perfect matte finish and look.

[BA80]

I hope I wont have to split this case to get it to shift...going to hold out on the idea that the trans is all locked up after sitting since 1986. I should tear it completely down and rebuild everything, but it IS riding season now and am hoping for some luck.

Yes and the 55 t-bird is getting a 4.6L SVT supercharged motor from a late model Cobra (not to upset the purists out there) and a 68 Olds 442 on the rotisserie. I just build what the customers ask for.

You don't have to split the cases to fix the pins. They are right behind the cover the shift shaft comes through. Easy to fix if that's what it is. There is a star shaped washer that holds the pins in and if a finger broke off the pin fell out.

Real easy to check to see if that's what's happened.

Another possibility is a broken shift return spring. It's in there too and easy to replace.

[Insomniac]

You don't have to split the cases to fix the pins. They are right behind the cover the shift shaft comes through. Easy to fix if that's what it is. There is a star shaped washer that holds the pins in and if a finger broke off the pin fell out.

Real easy to check to see if that's what's happened.

Another possibility is a broken shift return spring. It's in there too and easy to replace.

That's good to hear!

I spoke a bit premature about the fire right up...it did start and idle but it appears to be a two cylinder. It idles rough and wont take any throttle and after I shut it down the center two exhaust tubes were warm and the outers.......were not.

[BA80]

That sounds like a bad coil or pick up coil wire. These bikes run on a waste spark system. 1 and 4 are on the same coil as is 2 and 3.

I think you have the know how to get it sorted out. Do some reading in the repair section below. Holler if you have any questions.

[Insomniac]

That sounds like a bad coil or pick up coil wire. These bikes run on a waste spark system. 1 and 4 are on the same coil as is 2 and 3.

I think you have the know how to get it sorted out. Do some reading in the repair section below. Holler if you have any questions.

Yeah that didn't take long. I got her running on all four and the transmission does shift fine now. I apologize for blowing up your forums, I am just excited about my next project. I will send photos and have questions along the way.
Thank you