XS 1100 Special cam covers

[miklos]

My cam covers are leaking. Can I change the gaskets without removing the engine?
Can anyone describe how it is done? Pull the gas tank----etc.

[blue giant]

Yes you can! You will need a new gasket and if you are careful you can reuse the two rubber half moons. Removing the tank would make acess a bit easier for sure especially if you need to remove baked on gasket material from the top of the head.

5mm hex key, cover gasket and two beers should be all you need!

[planedick]

Balast resistor

Remove the balast resistor if your bike has one to give room enough to take off the cover. I also remove the spark plug wires and put them up through the frame out of the way too. Put the new gasket on the cover with some yamaha bond or similar and spray the head with pam and the next time it will be easy.

PS If you edit your profile to show your bike type and year we would all know what is involved and be able to help you better. Also the area you live and maybe someone local might offer assistance, for beer of course.

[miklos]

Location

I'm 20 miles north of L.A. I just edited my profile.
Since I've owned this motorcycle--I have never removed the tank. The petcock looks more complex than the Hondas I had.
I've gone about 18,000 miles since I rebuilt the engine. Is this a common leak? I also am leaking in the front where the cam chain tensioner is. Is that hard to fix?

[79XS11F]

Check the torque on the head cover bolts before replacing the gasket. If this was rebuild all the cover bolts are likely ready for a torque check along with the head nut if the head was removed.
Rob