New to the Forum, 79SF

[EGRon]

I am a newbie to the site and yes I finally did it. After a couple of months pouring over the Craigslist ads I settled on and bought an 79' SF special in black.
I am stoked!
Clean as a whistle and only 10,000 miles with only a couple of mods:
Kirker 4 into 1 exaust with jets, difeerenty handlebars, and a billet fork brace.
the carbs were recently synced and it had the head off for some work??
This baby purrs like a kitten and rides well.
I do have a couple of questions i could use some help with. The valve train does have a little noise, is this normal?
Are there certain things I should look for regarding concerns or maintenance?
Was $2,000 a fair price?
I am looking forward to meeting people through the board.
Thanks
EGRon

[TADracer]

Welcome! You will find this forum a wealth of information.

Yes the valves can be alittle bit noisy. If the head was off for some "work" it might be time to check your valve clearances but first, try adjusting the cam chain with the tensioner. Should be an article in the Tech Tips. Be careful you do not overtighten the bolt and lock nut and remember, the motor turns clockwise when viewed from the left (backwards) from other inline 4's.

Prices on these machines can range widely. In my opinion, if it has all the goodies you say and if it is clean as a pin then $2000 is not be outrageous. But the main thing is, if you are happy with your bike then it is a very fair price to pay.

Have a blast!

[dbeardslee]

EGRon - Welcome! On a new-to-you machine you probably want to keep an eye on your middle drive gear oil. It can leak past the seals with no outward sign. Let it get to low and it can be bad. You should have a little plastic dip stick for this. One end is for the middle drive, and the other is for the final drive. Make sure both have the proper level. It only takes a couple minutes so I'd check it every couple hundred miles just to make sure.

Also, the splines on the drive shaft are supposed to be greased every 10K, so you're due. You can't just zerk the fitting - gotta take the rear wheel off to get at it. Use grease with molybydenum in it. The moly will bond with the metal and provide superior lubrication over non-moly grease.

I'm with TAD on cam chain tension. Makes a lot of noise when they're getting loose. Even when adjusted properly these things are kind of noisy on top. Valve clearances are supposed to be checked every 6K.

Sounds like you got a good one. Congrats! I paid $600 for mine, and probably put twice that much and many hours getting it straightened out. For $2000 you're ahead of the curve.

[EGRon]

Thanks for the tips, I will look into the rear drive maintenance as soon as I receive my Clymers manual in the mail.
It also looks like the factory tool kit is a hard to find item. Any chance of getting a detailed description of its contents,(in addition to the fluid gauge), for possibly putting one together?? Under the seat of this bike is remarkably clean, I was surprised the tool kit was absent? Oh well. Everyday I ride this beast I feel like i got a better deaL!!!!!

[dbeardslee]

EGRon - don't know what the stock tool kit has in it, but I can tell you what I stuff in my tool box.

10, 12, 14, and 17mm combination wrenches.
13/16" deep socket for plugs (3/8 drive)
3/8 ratchet
4" ratchet extension
6 mm allen socket
zip ties
small wire brush (to clean spark plugs)
combination philips/standard screwdriver
dip stick
needle nose pliers
disposable rubber gloves (I don't mind having to fix her on the side of the road, but I hate getting my hands dirty when I'm going somewhere)

I should probably add a 5mm allen socket, and a regular pair of pliers. I always carry a small knife in my pocket, so I've got something to cut with. I recently removed my airbox in favor of pods, and I've been eyeing the cavern it created. I figure there's enough room there to put a small 12v air compressor and a tire repair kit

[Tdog]

Hello and welcome.
See if this link works to a picture of my tool kit. Just scroll to the bottom of the page.http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s312/missiletom/
Regards,
Tdog

[mro]

originally posted by Tdog
picture of my tool kit

You can tell from pic that Tom's not a real biker...
NO duck tape or bailing wire
(must be an aero mechanic )


mro
BTW, EGRon
Welcome to XS Land
Have any pics of youe Special?

[EGRon]

well here goes my first attempt at Pictures.........
let me know if the link worked.

Thanks
Ron

[EGRon]

Try this time

************************************************
The Link worked as a LINK, but not a direct photo display because you linked the WHOLE ALBUM, below each photo are several sets of "TAGS", click to highlight the IMG tag, copy it, and then paste it into the message and it will appear like this! You don't even need to hit the IMG button, the TAG has the IMG tags already around it!

T.C.

[tomatao]

That's a nice lookin' ride you got there.

Glad to see another XS almost close to me.

Look's like the PO already did some upgrading for you..

SS brake lines.
TKat forkbrace
4 into 1

Saves you the time of doing it yourself!!

[screamin deal]

nice ride

Welcome, I also am pretty new . I just got my xs a few months ago. I am just down the road apiece.[IMG][/IMG]

[81xsproject]

Nice! Another Nor-Cal-er. Pretty soon, we'll be able to have our own rallies. Speaking of, the August Lake county thing is coming up. I hope we can get some 11's out there to represent

[gearhead76]

I don't know if there the same but try this link it's for the dipstick for middle gear for the xs750 and xs850s
http://yamaha-triples.org/forums/thr...osts=4&start=1

[EGRon]

Gearhead, great tip on the dipstick, the PDF printed out perfect.

Looks like the PO did a thorough job of maintaing the fluids. All including oil are clean and fresh, I hope this is a good sign. I keep looking for signs that suggest poor maintenance, but so far so good.
Still can not believe I stumbled on such a great Vintage bike and the great group of people on the XS11 Forum.
EGRON