4 (!) questions!

[jazzrat2000]

hi, I have four questions I KNOW someone will know the answers to! I just got my XS1100 back from extensive repairs, and it is just great... I have noticed, though, that it doesn't "track" nearly as well as my XS750... it doesn't seem to hold a straight line as well; it wanders slightly back and forth... maybe I am just not used to it yet, but if it was a car I'd say the steering was very loose (my XS750 is solid and straight as an arrow at all speeds)... next: my saddlebags, fairing and trunk are all various shades of grey, with fading... should I paint these myself to make them match, and if so, what is the best paint? Third, I am going to ride from Maine to Key West in May with my brother... and I need to know the most economical way to get my bike to Maine to start the trip... I was thinking a U Haul truck, or the Auto train... any other ideas? and lastly, how do you post photos on this site? TIA!!

[xswilly]

where abouts in maine are you starting your trip

[jazzrat2000]

I am not sure... any suggestions? I guess you could say we haven't done too much planning yet, mainly dreaming!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Doc,

As for the tracking issue, first, what type of tires, and how old are they on the XS11 vs. the 750. Secondly, are the steering head bearings set too tight? Jack the front of the bike up so that the front wheel is NOT touching, and then see if you can easily swing the handlebars from far left to far right with an easy push, or do you feel some pauses, detents in the motion of the bars as you swing them from left to right?

Are your tires properly inflated, lots of extra weight with your fairing/bags!?

Also, have you checked the axle bolt/nuts for tightness, along with the Triple Tree fork clamps!

I'll let a paint guru answer your other question.

The cheapest way to get your bike to Maine is probably to DRIVE it yourself, most trucks or trailers are going to probably get less mileage than your XS! Costs of crating for rail/train shipping would cover your fuel and lodging costs!

Go to the HOW TO FORUM, you'll find info on how to post photos, but you can also use the Attachment feature at the bottom of the reply/post window, just have your photos smaller than 80KB!

T.C.

[Cosmo]

Made the trip your taking many years ago by VW van. U.S. ! is the southernmost point in Key west and goes to the northernmost point in Maine. Its cool to have pictures standing at the two points. Something to consider. I once made the trip from Bradenton Fla to Key West on a Honda cl 350 in the early 70s. That was long before they widened the bridge system. Alligator Alley was the hardest part of the trip...Cosmo

[Ken Talbot]

Tim, I have experienced that wandering feel in the past, and it turned out to be an over-tightened steering head bearing. Prop up the front end and see if the front wheel will fall gently to one side when nudged from center. If it flops over very fast, it is too loose. If you have to push it over, it is too tight. Just lik in Goldilocks, there's a spot in the middle where it is just right.

[jazzrat2000]

All great advice, I will check into it tonight![IMG]E:\DCIM\100_FUJI\DSCF0001[/IMG]

[jazzrat2000]

Obviously, I am not getting how to put pics in! Will try again later...

[jazzrat2000]

Hey, Cosmo, I was fortuntate enough to visit the Barber motorcycle museum in Birmingham last week.... what an amazing place!!

[Snow]

My wandering front end ended up being a bad front rim I had gotten from ebay - of course I went through everything else before realizing this.

[randy]

My wandering front end ended up being a bad front rim

Oh, yes, my wandering front end has gotten me into more trouble than I expected!

[Cosmo]

Hay Jazzratt, the Barbour Museum is a must see. I live about 30m from the Pensacola Naval air Museum and go every chance. If you go be sure to look for the mostly hidden Harley. The whole place is a great way to spend a weekend...Cosmo

[jazzrat2000]

I saw lots of Harleys, which one is the mostly hidden one? there was a wooden one in an office (I was there Saturday, all the offices and workshops were closed)...

PS my 1100 is steering better... yesterday when I got on it seemed almost like the front fork was catching on something as I turned it... couldn't see any obstruction to it... I wiggled it back and forth, and when I started to ride it was somewhat better... the bike sat for about a year, maybe it got gummed up a bit?

[MartyA]

With any luck your steering head bearings are only dry, but get them out anyway and look at them. Most likely they are pitted from non-use if you can feel the detents or sticky spots as you turn the forks. As long as they are out, replace them.

Go ahead, ask me how I know how much of a PITA it is going 450 miles without grease in the bearings.....

[jazzrat2000]

I have a feeling you are right, it does feel sticky... even though it loosened a bit... are the bearings available easily?

PS I can only imagine the way your arms would feel after wrestling with it for 450...