I have had it with my XS-11!

[walterpowelljr]

I still havent figured out why the bike runs for about 10-15 minutes then loses power. I had a shade tree motorcycle mechanic check it out and he doesnt know what the problem is either, If anyone here lives in arkansas, I am going to list it in the paper as a project bike. 1978 XS with only has 22,000 miles on it. I dont have the time or patience to mess with it. I really hoped I could have got her running. I have owned two 1978 XS-1100E and two 1979 XS-1100 specials and never had any problems with them over the years. I will let you know if it doesnt sell then I will part it out.

[planedick]

Tank cap...

Sounds like the gas tank cap vent is plugged.

[xsscooters]

how much?

Where are you in arkasas i'm interested . mike

[Snow]

Does it stop running? If so, could also be coils. Could also be pickup coils wires, but that would be more intermittent and less patterned.

[Dragonrider]

Re: Tank cap...

Originally posted by planedick
Sounds like the gas tank cap vent is plugged.

What he said.

[prometheus578]

the bike runs for about 10-15 minutes then loses power.

Loses power, or dies?
On the road riding, or sitting there idling?
If it dies... will it restart immediately?
If it doesn't restart immediately... is it getting spark at that time?
Is the fuel tank extremely rusted inside?
If it dies and you immediately drain one of the float bowls, how much fuel comes out?
But most importantly...

I had a shade tree motorcycle mechanic check it out

What kind of tree was it?
Deciduous or coniferous?
Had it been properly pruned?
Is there an old tire hangin' from a rope on it?
(Do you wish I were hangin' from a rope on it?)

[Winterhawk]

Your fuel lines could routed wrong angf crimping the fuel flow. Look at some of the charts on this site for proper routing.

[HobbyMan]

Sounds like I need a road trip. I could come up and help you check things out. Check your coil resistance. Don't give up on the bike yet.

[dale_1]

tank cap

Three minutes after reading that a light goes on three feet above my head...... geez that makes perfect sense.

at first I just took their word for that being a possibility.

[mro]

But most importantly...

best chuckel I've had today..........

tanks P rom


mro

[HobbyMan]

That is why Prom is one of the most valuable members on this site.
Could a ballast resistor become intermittent when its hot? Theoretically that might cause it. It gets hot, opens the circuit, you restart fine without it, then it gets hot again and quits. Again, all theory

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Walter,

Come on guy, having owned 4 of these machines, you know they are worth it. However, when was it that you owned the previoius machines, 10-20 years ago? Bikes, mechanicals, electrics all age and can give problems.

Along with the fine suggestions, one that is overlooked is the tipover switch under the tank near the front of the frame, usually above the igntion coils. You can unplug it to test the problem. Had a fellow rally rider from Canada with that problem, finally unplugged it, and he was able to make it back home without a problem!

Keep it, and keep at it, "parting" is such sweet sorrow!
T.C.

PS, Hey Prom, that would be the only way you could boast that you were "Well Hung"! :P

[walterpowelljr]

Me again

Ok let me see where to start, I bought a great original tank with no rust, But the left petcock will let fuel flow no matter where you turn the valve so its bad, the other one work fine,only fuel comes out of it when you turn the engine over. I hooked up my air hose to the tank vent hose and blew out all the trash before starting. The tank cost me 150.00 of ebay. its maroon and needs repainting but the inside is like new,no coating etc, I replaced both coils off of a donor because one coil was bad. Cleaned the carbs because the wouldnt even move! now they work, When it comes to the pick up coil, I havent tried testing that yet. You can ride it for about 15 minutes and it runs strong, but after that here comes the poping in the exhaust and so it will die. I bought this bike in October 2006 to try to restore it but I am losing my patience!! My first motorcycle was a 1978 XS 11 I bought when I was 18 in 1988. Then thru the years had three more XS'S, 1984 Kawasaki ZN-1100, 1984 honda V-65 Sabre,1984 V-65 magna, 2003 suzuki katana 750, Which I really didnt like the horse power but They would only approve for around 8,000 credit limit then so I was like I am leaving here on something,lol . I think the XS could take the 750 katana. And now my current bike ,2006 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300R. Any way thats all the bikes Ive owned to date. I live in Ward, Arkansas if anyone else wants to try to fix her. The bike only has 22,000 miles and I bought from a friend who left her out in the elements,I did alot of little things too to get up and running.to much to list. But if anyone is interested I am going to list in the local paper for 700.00. Thanks for all of you help through these month's but I think I will sell this one and find one that isnt such a pain in the butt.

[81xsproject]

I think I understand why some folks come to the site and swear up and down that the xs is junk here amidst all this eleven love. having been trying to get my buddies '77kz1000 up and running for years now, I have come to the PERSONAL conclusion that kz's are crap. Yet, they have a following that is probably larger than ours. I guess sometimes it is just "one bad apple." I am holding out faith that when we finally figure out what the hell is qrong with it, it will be an awesome bike and I too will understand why so many folks love I bike that I currently hate.

[walterpowelljr]

Believe me I love the old XS Elevens! I am no mechanic either, I love to tinker with stuff trying to get stuff to run but this bike has got me stumped. You should have seen it when I first got this bike! It looked like crap, Sat out in the elements for years, Tires flat, Rear brake stuck to the rotor, Carbs frozen, etc,, It was a real SAD site. I could not believe someone could do that to a great motorcycle. So I bought it hoping to get it back on the road again. I love my busa,but,,,,, I really love the XS-11's too. Alot of great memories with that bike. If I had a truck I would try to find a good shop nto take it too, But I dont, So I am stuck with trying to fix it myself. Which I was doing great up until now. She sounds Great when shes running down the road but its like some turning the key off and she loses power and is a real pain to try to get her started again! I have even went into the garage and threated to sell her if she does'nt act right,But it didnt help.lol,, I am losing was left of my hair