i did something baaaaaaad!!!

[Hammerhead1st]

MY first bike was/is an XS

My XS100 standard model was ratted out when I got it. Being VERY limited on budget, I elected to do basic stuff since it sat for 3 yrs. Changed the oil, cleaned the tank as best I could, new plugs, and turned her over by hand a while. Then left the plugs out and cranked it to build oil pressure throughout.

Once I was satisfied with the condition of the engine, I fired it up. THEN I had to clean the carbs 3 times...UGH...new fuel filters helped with that.

My XS is the only street bike I've ever owned. Had plenty of dirt toys though. I've ridden a few others, to include my friend's 05 Vmax. I found the XS to be reliable, very ride-able, and confidence building. I hope you find your new heads and get that thing in order post-haste. Your find is a wonderful thing, indeed. I believe you'll enjoy riding and owning it more than any other bike you may come across. Its a classic, and WILL turn heads. Its very customizable, and the gurus here really know their shi*. The tech tips are awesome and detailed, easy to follow and understand.

I have a CD copy of the XS11 shop manual with info you WONT find in a Clymers. PM me with mailing info and I'll ship a copy to you free of charge as a welcome to our family. In the meantime, do yourself a HUGE favor and listen to the gurus, and READ as much as you can from these forums.

Good luck and happy riding!!

[bill4117]

ok i took a few pics im going to try uploading them in a few. so heres what i found. i removed the valve cover and it appears that the cam must not have been getting oil into the last bearing because the cam snapped right inside that bearing, presumably throwing the rest of the cam into a wobble which thereby hit the head in front of # 3 cylinder and creating a nice ventilation hole making an oilchange a snap LOL. anyway i was reading all the posts and you guys are great, ive decided to rebuild this engine, so she wont be ready to ride this year but thats ok. oh and this is the first street bike ive owned but is not close to the first ive ridden, just with the mortgage,kids, car payment etc ive never purchased a bike for myself since the family comes first. but i figured for $200.00 why pass this one up?

oh and please tell me if im off base here. but even though the geometry on a street bike if different then an enduro bike ive found that the heavier the bike the less squirrely it rides, im more comfortable on a heavier bike that moves more fluid. thanks again for all the input and ill have the pics up as soon as i can.

[fredintoon]

" this is my first xs, heck this is my first bike period, "

Hi Bill,
when someone says that someone is going to take it to be the whole truth. Now that you have clarified your experiences with other bikes, most likely you don't need a smaller machine to learn on after all. I stand by saying if you first learn to ride on dirt you will be a better rider than if you didn't.

[bill4117]

i kinda put street bikes in a different catagory , like a go cart and a camaro dont share much other then the basic gas brake steer. enduro bikes and street bikes seem to have many differences also. when i say it's my first bike it's my first street bike, ive ridden friends street bikes on occasion but you are absolutely right about the motorcycle safety course, and i will be signing up.

[trbig]

Remember to strip the parts (Valves, shims, buckets, springs etc.) out of the head before trashing it. It doesn't hurt to have spare parts for these things.


Tod

[Toolmaker Tim]

Spare Parts

Tod is right, don't throw any useable parts away! If you don't need it someone on this forum might. Or you just don't realize you still need it.LOL I found working on these bikes is addictive. I'm already plotting how I can get another. Hopefully one I can put on the "best deal" thread.