low power

[lparker]

been a bike mech for years have run out of tests to do my 1100 dresser is weak no guts in mid or top as far as smooth running its finei have ridden many xs11s this one is weak comp is 130 all the way across leak down is olny 12% its a 78 tried 3 sets of carbs current ones are82 maxum 1100 ign checks good even tried coils no change bike was a basket case (big box) today passing car it jumped like it should. only time its ever run right about 50yards then droped down to the same old thing but it runs very smooth suspect ign box but cant get it to drop. no dyno in this town any thoughts would be good love bike dont want to scrap it

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Lparker,

After it cools down, you can pull the timing cover off and check the Pickup Coil wires, sounds like you may be dropping 2 cylinders, and during this last episode under strong throttle, the wires connected to give you ALL 4 cylinders, but then pulled apart and went back to only 2!

There's info in the Tech Tips on checking them and repairing them, if found to be bad! You need to be more specific on what ignition checks you've done, several places for problems, from PU coils, TCI, main coils, etc.!

After running it, did you check the pipes to see if you had cold or only barely warm vs. hot?! Have you ensured that you are getting fuel to all carbs, the petcocks are vacuum controlled, are they truly flowing when vacuum applied? What do the plugs look like, wet, dry, sooty, etc.?
T.C.

[lparker]

pickups ohm out good petcocks flowing good plugs look good when running real bad little piston rattle have you ever seen a brain fade out smooth to where you didnt feel thc cyls go

[Ken Talbot]

Originally posted by lparker
pickups ohm out good

Check the tech tip for pick-up coil wires and test them again. Static test with a meter may look okay, but it's when things are moving and vibrating that you can run into trouble. Basically, you remove the left side cover, start the engine, then tug quite aggressively at the pick-up wires. If they're intact, you can pull as hard as your fingers will permit and nothing will happen. If there's any break(s), you'll know in an instant.

[DiverRay]

Check the gas cap. make sure the breather is CLEAN. If you are partially blocked, you will run fine at lower RPM's, but start to have a vacume at higher RPMs or fuel use.
Just an educated guess, as opposed to a WAG
Ray

[skids]

Huh?

Originally posted by lparker
pickups ohm out good petcocks flowing good plugs look good when running real bad little piston rattle have you ever seen a brain fade out smooth to where you didnt feel thc cyls go

[lparker]

left work for lunch no fire at all taped ign box with wrench lightly then fire. a box is in order. wish i could have gotten it to do this 2 mo ago. connector was replaced a while back
thanks for the help

[DiverRay]

lparker,
Check Randy's Rago's site. You may be able to fix the box yourself, for the cost of some 60/40 rosin core solder. That's all it usually is.
Ray

[lparker]

put ign box on today 2 and 3 came back real good also found wire on 1 and 4 pickup bad thanks for help. i checked the wires a couple times thanks to you poeple i did it again . bike runs good.