Just bought my second bike an '79 XS1100 Special

[Rustitution]

To IanDMacDonald

I was looking at the turn outs do you have a sound clip i could check out?

[IanDMacDonald]

It's a lot louder than I expected. I'd love to have the stock pipes on mine. just love that sporty smooth sound.

[IanDMacDonald]

Yeah, I'll be taking the bike to the restaurant today. Here's my opinion on them: they provide something close to a stock sound, but there is the growl also, which sounds like a typical jap bike. If you have ever had a Honda CB with turnouts, it is the same sound. The Original Kerker and Marshall are my favorites, with Supertrapp right behind it. If I was you, I'd stick a Supertrapp on the end of that and be happy.

[IanDMacDonald]

Video of the Mac 4-2 on my bike.

http://db.tt/kzf2iaER

[BA80]

I have a Mac 4 into 2 with the turnouts on Ol'Okie. I like the way it sounds.

[Rustitution]

I also like how that sounds.

This weekend was a productive weekend for the bike.

Gear Oil, and fuel lines.

Popped the seat off and the gas tank (forgot to close the petcocks and lost about half a tank in the 10 seconds it took to realize what I had done)

after that clean up, I replaced the lines, now the Octy was already removed but the fuel lines were old and dry rotted and looked like they belonged on a break system with metal wire in the rubber. So ran the prime to the prime for the time being will do the plug that I saw on here in a week or so. and ran new piping to the carbs.

Prior to doing this I did the gear oil. I dont have the tool to make sure I have the right level of fluid and seeing all the other things that were left in dissrepair I decided to just change the oil all together. Drained the rear and I was quite surprised to see that it had been done recently coming out almost clear. I got my hopes up about the middle gear oil because that came out blacker then black times infinity. and sludged and burnt smelling. So filled them both up and then drained the middle one one more time to flush it and then filled it one last time.

put it all back together and took it around the block and I think that fixed my first gear slipping under WOT issue, but I stalled because the fuel lines I cut just a bit to long so I need to fix that tomorrow.

I dropped the new title off to get antiqued so I should be on the road for serious soon.

[Rustitution]

So another update on the restoration. Got the seat installed looks great, got the engine crash guard installed looks good just need to get it painted. Took it for a little ride, because I didnt quite trust it. and noted some things.

Above 4500RPMS I lose power and cannot accelerate, I think I still might have a small kink in the fuel line (does that make sense)?

First gear still slips I'm going to give in and order the parts to rebuild the clutch.

I am going to install a set of pod filters to replace the airbox because the bike is jetted I think it needs more air, its still running rich.

Still waiting on the title, so still not really riding it. can't wait with fall weather around the corner, get my girl on the back and go on a mini vacation.

[BA80]

Above 4500RPMS I lose power and cannot accelerate, I think I still might have a small kink in the fuel line (does that make sense)?.

Possible but it's more likely an ignition issue. Be sure the mechanical and the vacuum advances are working properly.

Your gas cap vent might be plugging up. Try running it without the cap latched. NOT with a full tank of course unless you like gasoline in your shorts.

First gear still slips I'm going to give in and order the parts to rebuild the clutch..

If the GEAR is slipping the clutch isn't the problem. If the clutch is slipping it will slip in all the gears. About the only thing I've ever seen these clutches need is heavier springs. Order and install a set of THESE

I am going to install a set of pod filters to replace the airbox because the bike is jetted I think it needs more air, its still running rich.

I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone just starting on one of these. Get it running right with the stock stuff THEN start changing things otherwise you'll end up with more problems than you started with.

IMHO

[motoman]

Possible but it's more likely an ignition issue. Be sure the mechanical and the vacuum advances are working properly.

Your gas cap vent might be plugging up. Try running it without the cap latched. NOT with a full tank of course unless you like gasoline in your shorts.



If the GEAR is slipping the clutch isn't the problem. If the clutch is slipping it will slip in all the gears. About the only thing I've ever seen these clutches need is heavier springs. Order and install a set of THESE




I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone just starting on one of these. Get it running right with the stock stuff THEN start changing things otherwise you'll end up with more problems than you started with.

IMHO

A BIG +1 on BA80's last suggestion. I question anyone who would trade off the stock airbox(cept for XJ's PITA airbox removal) for something ORIGINALLY designed for WOT and the 1/4 mile. The stock airbox was specially designed for max. smooth air flow, reducing piston pulses, having a velocity effect, and allowing slide diaphrams to operate smootly thru ALL rpm ranges.

[Rustitution]

And this is why I frequent these sites, you guys give me really good advice.

BA80 I will take your advice, and leave everything as it came although the bike is already far from stock, with the PO's changing so much about this bike I dont know where to start.

I looked into the vacuum advance and the mechanical advance but I didn't have the tools or the time to take apart the mechanical side, and I was thinking that the bike ran fine before I started messing with the fuel lines and everything else that it had to be something that I had done.

So I went out and got new spark plugs and gaped them to spec and used and inline tester just to make sure i was getting a spark all through the range. which i was, then I re did the fuel lines again. with a heavier gauge fuel line and spring clamps. after a few attempts got it where I wanted and took it for a spin, and now i have power all they way to redline WOOOT.

I didn't have any lines running from the top fuel nipple on the carburetors to the air box, i'm assuming that is a bleeder of some sort not really sure but that seems to have been it. So I'm now running like a tank again minus the 1st gear issue.

Also I lost a side cover today is anyone selling any of them, Mine are badgeless. Also need to get some side bags leather will be good I think.

I think that is it for now if not, there shall be another post.

[BA80]

What mods do you know you have? I don't remember seeing a pic of your bike. Did you post one?

[IanDMacDonald]

Greg- First post, lol.

So I've been riding for a little bit and have a 1996 Honda VFR 750 which I love but my girlfriend doesn't like riding 2 up on it, and I understand. So i've been looking around and about a few weeks ago a stumbled on this XS1100, now at the time I knew nothing about them but talked to my dad and did some research, my dad had one for a while and he LOVED this bike, but sold it when he meet my mom and married her.

I went and looked at it and it was advertised as an XS1100 I still not knowing these bikes didnt know the difference. Well after test driving and negotiating price, I ended up buying and bringing it home while my parents were on vacation. I'm now in the process of restoring it with the help of my dad, and your site has been a great source of information I'm sure I will ask you many more questions in the future.












I got the engine crash guard for it, I got a back rest, I'm looking for saddlebags, and a good tank bag.

The Pro's
It runs strong
has a jet kit already done
tires are good
I got it for a steal

The not so goods
No Neutral Light
Leaks gas when the petcocks are on primary
had less then a quart of oil in it when I picked it up
all the other fluids are probably just as bad
carbs need to be tunes it runs rich my pipes are blue (probably from the jet kit and stock airbox)

the bads
nothing

[BA80]

OK it was early when I posted that.

It looks to me like everything is pretty much stock on the engine except for the exhaust. It shouldn't be difficult to get it tuned pretty close. The exhaust could make it a little lean but not real bad.

One silly question, have you pulled the air filter out and checked it?

BTW.......change your signature. That's an SF not an F.

[MarkD]

If you're having issues with your neutral light, ck out this thread. Turns out it was a bad neutral switch. The way to test it is discussed. ( n. light not working anymore)

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?p=417145

[Rustitution]

MA80

I dont know much of anything other then the air filter is a "high performance" one, and that the engine was "Jetted to make more power" Those are the only mods I know about. the hacked exhaust and a crap wire job to replace the tube fuses with spade fuses, and the poor condition of the wires and splices in the first place. (things you dont really see when buying a bike, but I still think I got a good deal)

Ok so its not "that far from stock"

Mark D thanks for the link I'm going to check that out.