carb search.......

[knewsom]

...are you shooting for a full stock restoration? Because individual pod filters are all of ten bux brand new at partsnmore, and along with a minor jet change, you'll possibly see an increase in power/efficiency (plus they look spiffy). I decided to go with pod filters instead of the airbox for these reasons, but I'm curious as to what your (and obvioulsy your BIL) goals are, and I wanted to make sure you knew there was the option for the pod filters.

-Kris

[GNEPIG]

.. cajun31 is being a true XSive and trying to help... that's cool, but DON'T bid on the second set of carbs or you'll be sorry! those are either the bastard set from 1980 or they are from something else... sometimes people dont know what they have and list it anyway as what- ever just to get rid of it.
the first set is the early ones[78-79s], these are very adjustable and will work beautifully on your bike. i would not hesitate to pay 250 to 300 bucks for the first set
good luck... Gene

[cajun31]

I concur....taking a closer look at them I am not sure what they came off of. Go for the first set....they will be perfect for your ride. Good luck!

[bbrown4182]

Here we go....Part 2......

Well, OK then. We finally got down to work. Got the engine turned over, oil drained and lo and behold, the oil filter cover nut will not break loose. The nut holding it on was rounded somewhat by someone else and we got it in worse shape today. Haven't tried heat yet nor have we removed the pipes and muffler to make the removal a little easier. We bought an easy-out just in case and will try again.

Found the carton with the carbs in it (completely disassembled) and tried to make sure all the pieces are there. Thought we would try our hand at putting them back together only to discover that #2 body has a broken section and now we are in a search mode for a replacement.

Bought some filters (air & oil), oil, plugs, etc. So we are getting close to firing it up if we can resolve the carb problem.

Oh yeah, we have a set of Samsonite bags and the top bag is locked on and the side bags are without barrel locks. We have no key so if we have to cut the top bag off, where would we find a set of 3 new barrel locks for that set with keys?

Feeling a little better about things but still have a long way to go. We appreciate all the help so far and want to thank you all. We may even have a picture or two for "Show & Tell" soon.

Thanks.............BB

[JWSanders]

I just got a set of those samsonite bags. Luckily all the barells are still there but im going to have to get a key made.

What I was considering if I ever needed to replace them (or if I can't get a key made) was having a peice of barstock the same size as the upper tube of the lock cylinder machined down to a thread that matches the 1/2" or so thread of the bottom part, with a slot or somthing machined into it to twist it with. Something like this (pardon the ridiculous drawing ) :


A locksmith may be of some help there too, but actually finding another set will probably be pretty difficult. Of course, they wouldn't lock with those, but I don't see that being so much of a problem if it's a slot or something similar. If you have the one, getting a machine shop to make the others using it as a guide probably wouldn't be that hard.

[bbrown4182]

barrel locks.........

JW,

Heck of an idea! Thanks..........if we have no luck finding a keyed set that would be the way to go.

Appreciate you help. I'll keep you posted.

[dewibp]

Hey BBrown update your profile to put in your year and model of xs so us old guys, who can't remember anything, won't have to go back and look as you post your questions. As far as the carbs go if your looking at spending $200-$300 for them MAKE sure the internal engine parts are good first. It did not sound good to me that the engine was stuck and needed loosned up first! Unfortunately if the cylinders/pistons are rusted pretty badly there are no stock parts available with out needing to bore it and go with Wesco big bore parts. Back to the carbs, there is a guy in michigan that is selling carbs on ebay (maybe the same guy) that will rebuild carbs (yours) (no parts needed for either $140 or $160 dollars and also test run them on his xs11 before shipping. I would be running a compression check pretty soon before spending money on carbs. I think you should be able to do the compression check with out carbs in place? Fellas am I right on that ?

Parts needs, oh by the way where is Andreas when a guy needs parts? He will be checking in shortly as he specializes in xs 11 used parts. Andreashweiss@yahoo.com

By the way, welcome to the site. I specialize in mostly 78-79 xs 11's but some of the parts should interchange. I have a half dozen air boxes that should work on yours when you get to that point. (John, plugging the fuel bowl hose holes on 78-79 air boxes should work for him?) Just keep posting.

We all like pictures so post them, the uglier the better! We've seen/have/had some bad ones!

[bbrown4182]

Work in progress......

dewibp,

Thanks for the help and the words of wisdom. I have adjusted my profile (I think) per your instructions. Hope it helps but I have to tell you that I am one of those "older guys" you mentioned.

The engine was NOT "stuck". We just wanted to make sure it was NOT stuck before we proceeded with any initial purchases. Thank goodness it turned freely! Now we will do as you suggested and check the compression.

We have talked to the gentleman in Michigan about his carbs and maybe rebuilding ours for us. But he says he does not have and extra #2 carb body at present but if we can locate one he can help us on the rebuilding, therefore the current search.

The "Adreas" email address you sent us is appreciated. I will fire of an email and see if he can help us locate parts. And I also appreciate your offer of the airboxes. We have one but it is in several pieces and I thought I would tackle that and see what I can do.

"plugging the fuel bowl hose holes on 78 or 79 airboxes"???

I took a picture before we started and will try to get it posted soon. Unfortunately I walked off yesterday and left my camera at my B-I-L's. I'll get it back soon and attempt the posting but I'm not very good at that kind of thing. Maybe I can get B-I-L to do it. He's computer savvy.

Thanks again...........

[dewibp]

Yup, profile adjusted (see your all ready a computer guru)

GLAD to hear engine was not stuck.

I have many carb bodies but they are all for 78-79's so don't think they will work for you. You have some differences in yours that I won't get into.

Someone out there!!!!!!!! This guy needs a #2 Carb body. Is one of your float posts broke by the way or what is wrong that it can't be fixed?

My (78-79 xs11's) had a hose that ran from between the 1-2 and 3-4 carbs to vent the float bowl to let gas run in. This hose ran back to the air box and plugged into the front. Yours should not have this system and consequently you would not need the two hose connections on the front of the air box.

Do you have a good service manual for reference? Do you know how to look up parts #'s and for reference on your model of xs? There are several helpfull sites around to help you on your journey. If you don't know how to do this yet, p.m. me and we will arrange a time for you to call me and I can maybe explain how to get to and use these tools.

Anybody out there have a #2 carb body for an 80? Anyother suggestions from the rest of you "Pros" out there for this guy?

Call Andreas and get him out of bed (he is 2 hours behind us) 250-495-3445.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey BBrown,

You can do a preliminary compression test with the carbs off, but it won't be as reliable since it will be a "COLD" reading, instead of a "HOT" one from doing it AFTER the engine was run up to operating temps, but you should be able to get some good info from it. You can hook the battery cables up to a CAR Battery, just don't START OR RUN the car!

As has been stated before, after your first readings, put a spoonful of oil in each cylinder, rotate it a few times SLOWLY to spread it around, and then repeat and compare readings. IF any cylinder was low(OEM stock 142+18 psi "warm-sea level") on first, and then increased on second, then worn rings, if stayed low, possibly burned valves....provided valve clearances were previously good!

There are many approaches to the oil filter bolt, from welding a nut onto the end of it, using a GATOR GRIP socket, grinding/filing a pair of flat edges back into the rounded surface, hitting it with chisel in CCW direction, don't forget to apply liquid wrench or similar. A replacement bolt is easy to get from many sources!

Andreas has lots of parts, but you might also post a new thread in the MEMBER's FORUM requesting a spare carb body for 80SG/G, many folks have spares they would be willing to send for a few $$!

Would be good to verify for sure that you have 80 carbs, they are different than 78-79, and sometimes folks(PO's) have gotten entirely differenty year carbs and put them on!? The inlet bell should have 4 small jet holes instead of only 3, along with that large arced slotted on on top. ALso, the upper large ports on the side of the bodies that look big enough to be fuel "T" fittings are/were the bowl vent openings for the earlier carbs, and will be open. The newer carbs are just plugged off! The vacuum slides are also NOT interchangeable from from the earlier years to the later years! You'll want to inspect the rubber diaphragms for small pinholes, they can be repaired!

Keep at it!! T.C.

[bbrown4182]

carbs...etc...

Thanks for all the helpful hints and suggestions. We do have a Clymer's manual and also have another manual on disk. I think the disk one is going to be a big help as the Clymer's is a little hard for these tired eyes to make out. At least with the disk we can enlarge stuff.

Will keep you all posted as we stumble thru this....

[bbrown4182]

carb search.......

O.K. then. In our continued search for a set of carbs for our monster machine, I'm getting more confused everyday.

What manufacturers name should be on our machine's carbs? And what years carbs will interchange?

There seems to be some folks on here that know exactly which carbs we should put on but I sure do not.

Tell me what to look for, please??

Thanks.......

[mro]

Mikuni

BS34 (mm) CV carbs

You can use either 78/79 or 80/81

Only minor differences


mro

[bbrown4182]

carbs..........

Thanks, mro. That will simplify things a lot.

[trbig]

And By the way... your profile.... you have an '80 XS1000? Never seen one.. got any pics?? lol.

Tod