my bike struggles to start sometimes

[Jan]

sometimes starting my xs1.1 is a real bitch because if has not started by the first time ill will have to wait about a hour before i can try again it could be the carbs flooding but if the bike starts first time it starts real easy can anybody help me or have the same problem

[oldnortonrider]

Welcome aboard, Cape Town Jan> check out AlanB's commentary on that (his postings on that issue) in the "Project progress....." thread, a few down below this one. Are you turning your petcocks to "prime" when you go to start. (?)

Turn 'em back to "On", when it starts........

[Jan]

hi thxs for the welcome oldnortonrider
i do put it on prime but do i leave it there and then once the bike has started put it back on "on" or do i put it on prime for a few seconds the put it on "on" then start the bike?

[oldnortonrider]

Leave it on "Prime" to start it.

Watch for flooding, if the float needles are "not holding". (Fuel leaks past 'em.)

Kinda hard to notice flooding with original airbox on it. If you
do notice flooding~~turn back to "On". That way, it won't keep
flowing fuel, when motor's not running.

[Jan]

thanks i will try tonight when i get home
would you happen to know how to repair the fuel gauge on the clocks or could it be the float that is the problem

[andreashweiss]

If the fuel gauge does not work(assuming you have a standard) on the tach it is most likely the regulater inside the tach that fails. Very small black box which controls the gauge. Most of the ones I have fixed by replacing the regulater. The sending unit in the tank rarely fails. I have a couple of those regulaters out of 78/79 xs1100 standard, square black tachs. andreas

[Jan]

hi i have a 83' model will the regulater be in the tank or on the outside

[mro]

Hi Jan,
Don't know the history of your bike.
A lot of electrical frustration can be avoided by spending a couple hours by just cleaning the plugs/connectors from front to rear if it has not been done in a while.

If you just got your 1.1, good read in the tech tips about getting a "neglected" bike. On the SA forum is oldmanprofesor (may have that wrong) and he has an XS too.


mro