New to me '80 XS1100, Please Help

[BossMaverick]

First of all, an introduction on how I ended up with my 1980 XS1100 Touring bike. I had a deal to trade my little Suzuki GZ250 for a Honda gl500 (the early 80's silverwing). The trade was going to take place in MN (where my GZ250 had been) and I was going to ride the wing back home to MT. Dealer assured me the wing was ready to take the ride. Well I took the train out, took the wing out, and discovered the fork seals where completely shot (to the point that fork oil was leaking on the brakes). Dealer turned out to be a decent enough guy and we made a deal so I got the 80 XS1100. It has 34,000 miles and it looks like the one of the previous owners knew the XS1100's. It has a fork brace, oil cooler, and it is very clean with no rust. It even came with a 1983 South Dakota state parks sticker on the windshield. I rode it all the way back without any major problems (except low gas mileage of 30-32 mpg). There is an engine vibration at 55-60 mph but otherwise it runs awesome.

The Flying Beast as it's named (because it's big, long, and heavy, but flys in a straight line) desperately needs a tune up. I pulled the air filter off when I got home and it needs cleaning in a bad way. What is the proper way of cleaning the stock airfilter? Also, I would like to adjust the cam chain tensioner but I don't have a manual yet. Can someone post the instructions to adjust it?

Any help would be appreciated! I looked forward to spending even more quality time maintaining and owner the Flying Beast.

[mitch]

Tips

look to your left and click on tech tips or go to the front page and scroll down. Check out repairs and maintence. Lots of ppl here to help if you cant find what you want . Welcome to the site and gl
Doug

[BossMaverick]

Thanks, I thought I saw the cam chain adjusting instructions on this site before but I couldn't find it today (I was doing the hard way of searching the forum). The "Tech Tips" was just too obvious for me

I still haven't found anything about cleaning the standard air filter. Can anyone give me the instuctions?

Thanks!

[BossMaverick]

Another newbie question besides the air filter question (the bike didn't come with a owners manual). What is the proper way of using the gear lube dipstick for when I change the lubes?

Thanks again!

[bikerphil]

Stock air filter, one time deal, not made to be cleaned unless it is a K & N or other washable type. Better off getting a replacement.

Dipstick tool, short end for final drive, long end for middle drive.

[Ken Talbot]

Originally posted by bikerphil
Dipstick tool, short end for final drive, long end for middle drive.

.... with the bike parked on the centrestand.

[mason79]

30-32 mpg is decent for these cruise missiles

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Boss,

In the LINKS forum, you'll find a link to an 81H/SH owner's manual in PDF format, it's very similar to the 80 and will provide most of the basic maintanence info you're looking for. There are other threads with links to ONLINE repair manuals hosted by a college library!!

Depending on how much wrenching you like to do and know how to do, there are several things that you can do to increase the mileage. If the air filter was quite dirty, the carbs probably aren't much different, so a trip inside would be a good place to start.

Well cleaned, tuned, and vacuum balanced carbs do wonders for the performance!! Congrats on a fortunate alternative!
T.C.

[mro]

originally posted by BossMaverick
and it is very clean with no rust

Hmmm...sounds like a nice XS, is it a "G or SG"?
and do you happen to have any pics of your new ride?


mro
BTW, welcome to XS Land

[Toolmaker Tim]

Congrats on your new bike . With the lack of speed limits in Montana, when you get the carbs tuned you're gonna have FUN

[BossMaverick]

I changed the plugs, adjusted the cam chain tensioner, knocked some of the bugs out of the air filter (I need a new one bad) and I was able to change the mid and final drive lubes tonight. I was pleasently suprised to find all the caps broke free super easy. The fluid was dirty but not as dirty as I figured it would be for a 28 year old bike. There were a small amount of shavings (I'd call it a normal amount) on the final drive magnet but hardly any on the mid. Then while refilling, I found that a previous owner had written with a black marker a 1993 date (assuming one of the previous fluid changes). So it appears that this bike was taken care of back in the day

I believe this bike is just a standard but it has a factory fairing, trunk, and Vetter hard bags. It's two tone gray. I might be able to get pictures in the future but no promises. Montana does have speed limits now but they are generous with 75 on the interstate and 70 daytime on the highways.


The only problem that I've came across is that the fork's right air valve adapter (the brass angled adapter on top of the fork cap that holds the schroeder valve) is cracked so the right fork can't hold air. It appears that someone had over tighten the chrome cover nut. I've searched a few online parts places but haven't been able to find a replacement. Does anyone have a parts bike and would be willing to sell me one of these adapters? I need one desperately.

Thanks again for everyone's greetings and advice!

[BossMaverick]

I forgot to mention, the carbs probably do need a good cleaning and a sync job but I'm going to put that off until next season. I just want to put miles on it before I have to park it for the winter.

[dk miller]

It does sound like it's an 80G (standard).

You can verify that by the VIN #. If the VIN starts with the series 3H5 it's an 80G.

Complete # will be like this. 3H5-00xxxx.

I have two 80G's, both in Ruby Red.

Congratulations on your buy. These are great old rides.

[fredintoon]

"I believe this bike is just a standard "

Hi Boss,
there's no "just" about a Standard. There is no difference in quality between a Standard & a Special, there are only styling differences. A Standard has it's front axle on the bottom of the fork sliders, "normal" front brake calipers, a large semi-knife-edge styled gas tank with a flush filler cap, rectangular gauges, headlight & signals and a 17" rear wheel.
A Special has it's front axle on the front face of the fork sliders, ATE style front brake calipers, a small rounded gas tank with a raised filler cap, round gauges, headlight & signals and a 16" rear wheel. Both models could be got with or without fairings & hard luggage. Although the frame serial number will tell you if the bike started out as a Standard or a Special it's not quite certain that it will tell you what it is now as all manner of Special parts can be swapped onto a Standard and vice-versa. BTW, I envy your 30 - 32 mpg, my rig gets 28, just like my 3.8 litre Buick.

[MrOzz]

Hi Boss and welcome.

Congrats on your first XS1100!


I too just got my first 80 XS1100SG just under a month ago. Ive put about 800 miles on my ride, and I love it!!!


You will like the forum, lots of good and knowledgeable people on here.

Ozz