New bike, new to the forum

[Nate Dogg]

Nate here. Just bought a 1979 xs 1100 special, good condition but the carbs. The bike starts and idles okaybut upon trying to ride it, the carbs back gas up into the breather box and that leaks all over the place. Crankcase is filled with gassy oil and the oil blows out the pipes. So...Carbs were rebuilt three years ago and the bike supposedly ran fine however after a year of not riding, the carb gremlins happened. Also noticed that the 3rd cylinder from the left- the pipe is not heat colored like the other pipes...again prob a carb issue?!
So when taking apart these carbs, assuming thats what I need to do, will I need to be buying any extra parts or anyhting like that? Any or all help welcomed. i have looked up the triple clean but its like wading thru spaghetti- perhaps if someone has some hyperlinks they could shoot me. So basically too much gas...backing up out of the carbs emptying into the airbox...getting sucked into the carbs and leaking all over the driveway. Tadah...hey it was only $500.00 bucks...
Thanks!!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Nate,

Welcome and congrats on a great find! Yep, the carbs are like 80% of what's wrong with these bikes when people get them. Electrical Gremlins are the other 20%!!!!

Aside from searching the actual Posting Forums, if you'll just scroll down from the MAIN FORUM PAGE, down to the TECH TIPS, you'll find several for carbs under Maintanence, Repairs, and Mods, along with many other useful tips and info. Read up on those for a while, and THEN if you have any questions, come back here and post.

Most folks just need to replace the float needle/seat to ensure a good seal. But reconditioning the metal needle and seat is also possible. Also possible to do the rubber/viton tipped float needle conversion on the earlier carbs....a search for "viton Float Needle" should reveal the recent thread and info.

You've got a 79, and knowing the year will help in determining which carbs you've got and what parts/kits you may want to get, at least some new float bowl gaskets....but if they were worked on a few years ago and replaced, they may not need replacing!?

Cleaning out the tank, putting on INLINE filters will help prevent further occurance of crud sticking the float needles open. You'll want to test your floats to be sure they float vs. pinholes!!

DO NOT SOAK the carbs in a bucket of cleaner!! Use spray cleaner and compressed air, you can soak the metal parts you remove, ie. jets, emulsion tubes, etc.!!!

ALSO, check out the Pickup Coil Repair tip....common ailment on the older XS's!!
T.C.

[Paintman]

Hey Nate

welcome to the wonderful world of old bikes as TC said you will find the answer to anything on here just have to look and alot of pictures of carbs being done> just clean clean,and clean . all ya have to do is take your time and if you have a question just ask. and again welcome.
john

[Nate Dogg]

Thanks guys, i have been reading up on the forums...sounds like a fun weekend...anyhow, I figure the first thing I will do is change all the fluids before tackling the carbs...havent ridden in years and I guess im not in a huge huge hurry. Do you have any suggestions on cleanling all the gasy oil out of the crank case? Also the bike has 24000 miles...not too bad all things considered, what weight and brand of oil should I use?
Thanks a million!!

[TopCatGr58]

Oooh, only 3 posts and already treading on dangerous ground!

Nate,

Please take some time and read the tech tips....ALL OF THEM!!

FIX the carb first, or you'll be changing the GasOil again!! Just drain it, and the filter, let it sit overnight if you want, perhaps tap the starter a few times to help pump out the remaining gasoil from the pump and engine!

A search for Synthetic Oil will reveal info on types, brands, etc.!!!

Also, there is a NEXT button at the bottom of the Forum, so you can view other recent threads...you'll find lots on OIL/ Tires, etc.!!
T.C.

[egsols]

Like TC said, take your time. Be careful trying to remove all the parts. If they don't want to come out easily, sit back and scan this forum and the tech tips for hints. Everything will come out sooner or later but if you rush and force things, inevitably they'll break.

[CarolynS]

Hey there Nate...

I am new to this too, but with the help of the people here I am coming along quite nicely!
I had the same problem with the carbs that you are having-of course they weren't why it wouldn't run, but that's another story...
Taking the carbs off and cleaning them is not too difficult-but like egsols and TC mentioned, definitely take your time to do everything. A can of Liquid Wrench is a must for the screws that hold the outsides to the insides-float bowls, etc., along with a set of vise-grips to get a good bite on the screwdriver so you don't strip the heads of the screws. That was the biggest problem I had-getting them apart. Small-like eyeglass-screwdriver for the idle sets. And the biggest help was a set of jewelry pliers-no teeth, smooth inside, and small-to remove some of the stubborn insides. I had never handled 4 carbs at once, but it still only took me about 3 hours start to finish with the expert tutoring I got here.
Enjoy your new 'pet' and learning to work on it. It is a great hobby and a great group of people here to share it with.

[Hammerhead1st]

There's no one in this forum who needs the help more than me. My bike is by far the rattiest "road-worthy" bike here. I nick'd it the "Rat-Rod" for a reason...

Congrats on your great find! Hopefully you'll enjoy a great season of riding a classic musclebike and turning a few heads, too. HEED THE ADVICE GIVEN HERE!!!

It can save you a TON of cash-ola!!

[Nate Dogg]

Thanks for all the encouragement...i had a few hours of carb breaking/rebuilding but the fumes got to be too much...anyhow...im having fun so thats all that matters...
Nate

[DJinNH]

Re: New bike, new to the forum

Originally posted by Nate Dogg
Nate here. Just bought a 1979 xs 1100 special, good condition but the carbs. The bike starts and idles okaybut upon trying to ride it, the carbs back gas up into the breather box and that leaks all over the place.
Thanks!!

The same thing just happened when I started up my SG for the first time....fuel coming out of the airbox. My buddy who was standing there, has a SH that was doing the same until he had his carbs rebuilt. Guess where mine is now? Yup, in the shop getting the carbs rebuilt. Should be ready later this week.

Don