New Member from New Yawk City

[Bergman16]

It seems like a couple new members are posting here about themselves, so since I have done so much reading here I thought I might see about posting something.

I may be the only member who lives in good old Harlem USA (I would love to hear from anyone nearby, though!). I had an 850 Special in college (Honolulu) and always meant to get back to that bike someday, but when push came to midde-aged shove, I just couldn't find one that made my heart go pitter-pat and then I saw the black 80 Eleven Special and I bought it (paid too much, I'll say right out loud, even though it still hurts).

My shop is the front of my Harlem brownstone house until my upstate Goldwing fanatic friend finishes his new garage, where I'll park/work on it.

It's got a great motor, but all of the other funky issues, it seems. Going through them one by one, then buying new tires, and hoping to get it inspected and getting some riding time in the fall. Due to my 20-year gap in riding, I'm taking the MSS Bike Bonding class in September up near Woodstock, after I get about 500 miles under my belt. Right now I've only ridden it about 30 miles or so (no inspection, hence illegal). Feeling the need to be careful as my karmic balance from doing dumb things on that 850 30 years ago is a bit off.

Have done a bit of wiring/connectors fixing--kill switch and hazard light. Thought I'd try a valve adjustment although the compression tests were all good/sameish (can't remember the readings anymore). Am trying to decide to do a spooge hole check and replace fluid and then redo all the brake cylinders over the winter (they're fine with new pads, but the left front gets a bit too hot, nothing overly so. Ordered a fuse box from TC. Changed all the fluids (which made me want to do the spin-on mod!).

I do have a funky issue in the drive train somewhere which I have to investigate more and then post for help (up on center stand, dropped it into first and there's a light thumping, seems timed to the revolution of the wheel rather than faster--assuming drive shaft spins faster than the wheel). Maybe it's a shot bearing? Anyway, will get more info and maybe audio/video and post in a forum in the next few days.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Thanks for making this place so useful and friendly.

[MarkD]

Welcome aboard! XS's are all the rage around here, and I for one will always own one, as long as I am able to ride.

[motoman]

It seems like a couple new members are posting here about themselves, so since I have done so much reading here I thought I might see about posting something.

I may be the only member who lives in good old Harlem USA (I would love to hear from anyone nearby, though!). I had an 850 Special in college (Honolulu) and always meant to get back to that bike someday, but when push came to midde-aged shove, I just couldn't find one that made my heart go pitter-pat and then I saw the black 80 Eleven Special and I bought it (paid too much, I'll say right out loud, even though it still hurts).

My shop is the front of my Harlem brownstone house until my upstate Goldwing fanatic friend finishes his new garage, where I'll park/work on it.

It's got a great motor, but all of the other funky issues, it seems. Going through them one by one, then buying new tires, and hoping to get it inspected and getting some riding time in the fall. Due to my 20-year gap in riding, I'm taking the MSS Bike Bonding class in September up near Woodstock, after I get about 500 miles under my belt. Right now I've only ridden it about 30 miles or so (no inspection, hence illegal). Feeling the need to be careful as my karmic balance from doing dumb things on that 850 30 years ago is a bit off.

Have done a bit of wiring/connectors fixing--kill switch and hazard light. Thought I'd try a valve adjustment although the compression tests were all good/sameish (can't remember the readings anymore). Am trying to decide to do a spooge hole check and replace fluid and then redo all the brake cylinders over the winter (they're fine with new pads, but the left front gets a bit too hot, nothing overly so. Ordered a fuse box from TC. Changed all the fluids (which made me want to do the spin-on mod!).

I do have a funky issue in the drive train somewhere which I have to investigate more and then post for help (up on center stand, dropped it into first and there's a light thumping, seems timed to the revolution of the wheel rather than faster--assuming drive shaft spins faster than the wheel). Maybe it's a shot bearing? Anyway, will get more info and maybe audio/video and post in a forum in the next few days.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Thanks for making this place so useful and friendly.

No load against wheel when on centerstand running in gear, so likely just catching the slack in drivetrain(hyvo chain,middle drive and final drive). Fairly normal doing that on centerstand.

[3Phase]

Welcome to the forum, Bergman!

I do have a funky issue in the drive train somewhere which I have to investigate more and then post for help (up on center stand, dropped it into first and there's a light thumping, seems timed to the revolution of the wheel rather than faster--assuming drive shaft spins faster than the wheel). Maybe it's a shot bearing? Anyway, will get more info and maybe audio/video and post in a forum in the next few days.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Thanks for making this place so useful and friendly.

Be really careful when you try to put the bike in gear when it's on the center stand. If you lean over or press down on the back end of the bike, the wheel can touch the ground and it'll try to get away from you.

Like motoman said, the noise could be the normal slop in the drive train. They're pretty loose and it'll try to bounce back and forth without a load on the wheel. If you've got a friend, try rolling the bike in neutral and listen for the noise, or GENTLY press the rear brake pedal while the engine's running so the wheel doesn't lurch while it's trying to spin. If you still hear the noise, try not to ride the bike until you figure out what it is.

.

[Bergman16]

Thank you, gents! I'll get the SIL to help hold the bike and try that. If there's no problem there, then I'm a set of tires (and maybe bearings while the wheels are off) and a brake fluid change away from riding.

I forgot to pass along my initial thoughts when the bike was delivered, keeping in mind that I had a lot of experience with the 850 Special. This was before I got the manual and did any real looking around here:

"Damn, the seat lock is broken, I'll never get this seat off!" and "PO took out the kickstarter?!!"

Thanks again.

[DAVINCI]

Welcome from a fellow New Yawker

Hi, Bergman.

I believe we are the only 2 NYC-ers here. I was in Whitestone up until last year, now in West Hempstead. Feel free to contact me, be glad to help if you need. I've owned specials and standards over the years, recently traded up(?) for a Wing, so if you and your Winger pal want to go for a scoot, let's go!

Oh, and I know a thing or two about fixing these old girls

[Bergman16]

Thanks, Davinci. I will most definitely be bugging you soon enough. I'm some brake hydraulics and new tires away from passing NY inspection. Then I'll be able to see exactly what I want to do with it.

Making my way through the tire threads (!) now...

[cajun31]

Hey Bergman

There is no seat lock on the SG model. What you are seeing is the side cover lock. There is also a helmet lock. They are both on the left side of the bike. The only thing that holds the seat on are two bolts one on each side under the grab bar about midway on each side.

As for a kick starter there never was one. There is a place for one but on your model it was never there from the factory.

Try to find a way to get that lock functioning without breaking the sidecover tab. The sidecovers are reaching unobtanium status and are quite expensive to replace.

Good luck.

[MPittma100]

New Member

Welcome to the forum. More information and help than you will ever need is available here. Just ask. You may get some opinionated replies on occasion, but you will live through it.

The ignition key will fit the ignition switch, helmet lock, and left side cover lock.

Earlier models (1978 & 1979) did have a provision for the kick start. Yamaha did away with that option after 1979.

You should definitely rebuild your calipers and master cylinders. Likely you will find pitted caliper pistons. Do not be tempted to reuse them if they are. Replacements are readily available in steel (OEM) or stainless steel. Good idea to replace the brake hoses if they are original. You can replace with original rubber or stainless steel braided lines.

Good luck with your project.

Mike

[Bergman16]

Thanks--I probably should have been clearer that I figured out the kickstarter/seat thing a few minutes after I logged on here. My side cover has already been broken, so I won't have to kick myself for that one.

Will def. rebuild the calipers and master cylinders and probably go ss lines.

thanks again.