Greetings Everyone

[capnkirk]

Hi All,

My name is Kevin and I just purchased my first Eleven Special. It's a 1980 full dresser that I found on Craig's List for $1300, which I think is a pretty good deal. I've always ridden Honda: CB750, 500 Silverwing, 1000 Goldwing, VTX1300 and a PC800. I had a 700 Maxim for a couple weeks, and it was a nice bike, but I'm not a small guy, so I sold it and bought the 11.





I have some questions about the bike, so any help would be appreciated.

1. It runs a little rough and sputters/pops a bit on decleration and it doesn't idle well. The bike sat for a year, so I'm assuming it's simply tune-up related things that are needed like plugs, wires, carbs cleaned and sync'd, etc. Is that a fair assessment?

2. When I rev the throttle, it doesn't rev down smoothly/gradually like all the other bikes I've had. It revs up high and then drops like a stone. Is this normal for this engine? If not, what could the issue be? I just hope I haven't made a mistake in buying this bike because I really like it and I've heard great things.

3. Any particular spark plug work best on these bikes? I've always used NKG, but if there is something better, I'll get them.

4. Fuel grade - what do you guys recommend? My guess is premium since the bike is 27 years old and a high compression 4. Thoughts?

5. Petcock position. I can't find any definitive notch or arrow on the petcocks, so I need to know which way is which. I don't want to be riding around on reserve all the time.

I think that covers it. Thanks in advance for any help, tips, tricks and advice!

Kevin

[JWSanders]

Welcome to the site!! You'll find tons of info here about your bike. Be sure to check the tech tips and search the forums for anything in particular you may be having troubles with. There are few questions you'll be able to think of that haven't been asked before.

Nice bike!! always glad to see another one on the road.

Some answers for ya:

1. Yeah, it needs love. Just like you said, clean and sync the carbs, replace all the fluids.

2. Lack of sync can cause that. See if you still have the problem after completing #1

3. NGK BP6ES is the recommended plug from Yamaha, so you're in luck!!

4. Many people find that theirs will run on any grade (mine will), but the bikes do like premium the most. YMMV

5. The handle covers the function on the petcocks.

The carbs can be a real pain in the butt, and the phrase "triple clean" has come into vogue here. There are many little passages that will clog and make things difficult. If it's sat enough to make the tank cruddy, that will have to be addressed too. An inline filter on each gas line will save you much hassle.

Good luck!! You're way ahead of many here simply since you were able to ride it home. Took me most of a summer to get mine running. It sat for 7 years outside unprotected.

[capnkirk]

Hey, thanks for the info! Dang, 7 years out in the elements. That's harsh.

So far I've drained the float bowls, cleaned the air filter (it was nasty) and installed new plugs.

Now the bike will idle without having to have the choke out a little bit, which is a step in the right direction.

Still seriously lacking in power though. The 700 Maxim I just sold would smoke this thing off the line and all the way down the road...and that ain't cool.

[wingnut]

Welcome Capn

Nice ride you got there. If its been sitting only a short time, like less than a year you may get by with running a couple of cans of seafoam thru it. Follow the directions on the cans and it may clean up your proformance issues. These things are stupid fast when running right so you have a way to go. If the sea foam does not clear up your problem than check the tec tips in this forum and get ready to do the triple clean on the carbs. Plenty of info here and if you get stuck just ask. The Guru's have seen it all!

[Bigfoot]

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking bike you have.

[renegade_xs11g]

Before you go and pull those carbs and clean them, 3 times....

might I suggest running sea-foam thru.....may save a ton of tylenol, that stuff works wonders

[capnkirk]

Sea Foam

Thanks for the Sea Foam tip, guys. I've been reading stories about that stuff online and I must say, I'm pretty impressed. I don't usually buy into the whole "snake oil" thing, but there are just WAY too many people praising the stuff.

Sea Foam it is...I'll let you know how it goes.

K

[mro]

Personnally not into the seafoam thing, but my bikes do not sit for very long without being ridden.
Takes about 4 hours to Remove/clean/adjust and re-install the carbs. 10 to 30 minuets to sync em.
Have not had to "tripple clean" a set yet. Just be sure carb cleaner spray will pass thru all the passages/jets before you re-install the bowls, one more check that floats are set (23mm) and it should be good to go.


mro
btw, welcome to XS land

[Hammerhead1st]

Seafoam is a color, not a remedy...



No, seriously, I went to my local Tractor Supply store and they have Seafoam there in the fuels section. The guy there swore by it. Couldnt afford to get it, was on a budget and needed inline filters more than the Seafoam.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Seafoam. WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!

[capnkirk]

Sea Foam acquired. My plan is to drop in 1/2 the can, tank up with some decent fuel and run her around. I'll run the tank dry and repeat.

With a clean running motor, what sort of mileage should I expect out of this thing?

[Bigfoot]

I don't know if you can run too much seafoam, but I also think it will only do so much good. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and do it the hard way.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there CapnKirk,

Welcome, anybody with a handle like that has got to be a good guy!

We would like to take this opportunity to mention about the SEARCH feature for the Forums! It does work, and you'll be surprised to see all the threads you can find with simple searches like MILEAGE and such....hint, hint!

ALso, there's a plethora of info in the TECH TIPS, FAQ's and such, and look/scroll down from the MAIN FORUM PAGE, many are new and NOT linked from the Left Column link!

Congrats on a great find, and a great machine!

[trbig]

*Sigh...

Yeah, Kevin. It looks like you bought a lemon of a bike. Just let me know where you live and I'll come take it off your hands for you and save you all the hastles...

Very nice. Welcome to the XS/XJ family.

(I think I'm the red-headed step child here though)



Tod

[capnkirk]

Thanks for the welcome and the info! Yeah, I know all about the search, and I have used it for other things, but I figure I'm not the only person to post questions about things that are searchable. Besides, it get's me chatting up with all you 11 folk!

Man, I'll tell ya, I sure hope I get this bike running smoothly and up to the expected power soon, because right now it's all kinds of disappointing. When an 1100 isn't scaring the crap out of me when I yank on the throttle, it's NOT doing it's job.

[fredintoon]

running on 4?

Hi Kevin,
even with all that plastic an XS11 should be terrifyingly fast. Check that all 4 cylinders are working. The 1100 makes a really poor 825cc triple if they ain't. Fire it up from cold and see if all 4 pipes heat up.
Fuel tap positions:-
Forward = off.
Down = on.
Up = reserve.
Back = prime.
When (not if, when) you remove the tank to get at your carbs to clean them, see if the bike still has the "octopus" central vacuum operated fuel switch. Most POs have binned theirs which leads to various different possible fuel line layouts, external filters etc.