79 standard or special

[Shawnb]

Got a 79 standard or special it really don't matter to me the engine has been in a fire burning the clutch cable and the wires going to ignition coils, tank rusted bought new one and wires to advance timing unit cut . All these problems have been corrected thanks to xs 11.com... i will be donating as soon as i get my bike running good enough to run. the engine has started but has only run while starter was engaged. figured that out. Motor was locked up when i got it but with a (ratchet) and socket i have freed it somewhat, but there is a bind in it still. tommorrow is the big day have battery booster and decent battery will be trying to unfreeze motor by running it brand new oil filter and tech 2000 oil 20/50 from autozone in motor took carbs out of boot so fuel would't get in oil again. saw spark from spark plugs only when i put booster on it continually so battery is low. still bought new 300 cranking amp booster from walmart today, it's on charge right now, will try to run motor tommorow to finally unfreeze binding parts tommorrow when booster has good charge. then i'll start on carbs since 3 and 2 have stuck needle valves. at least thats what it seems like from reading these forums, you guys have been a real help, i am hopeful and excited about the performance that has been described about this bike, seems like 95 horsepower is a lot for a bike, i"ve only ridden bikes from the 70's and one from the 80's anyway so i kind of exspect a little better performance out of this one and besides this is my first bike that is actually mines alone so i plan to have fun. the shaft drive really drags the power from these motors with no other alternative but riding it. hope she unbinds tommorrow so i can really get into setting my carbs and buying the few part i need to stop her to shine my lights, so i can let her ripp an maybe run into some of you guys. Hey thanks !!!!!! Well not to much ecitement but will keep you posted.. on progress.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Shawn,

You don't want to use the starter motor to forcibly turn the engine past where it's hanging up?! Where did you put the wrench/socket to turn the motor, on the LEFT hand timing plate square fitting or the right hand hex head pulley bolt?? Hopefully the right hand bolt!

You will want to put some MMO or transmission fluid into the spark plug holes of each cylinder, and let it SOAK a day or so, and then using the right side bolt, try rotating the engine that way.

But also, you might want to pull the valve cover, and actually pull the cams out, and support the chain. This will retract ALL of the valves safely out of the way of the pistons. There's a chance that the crank and valves got out of time, and the resistance could also be pistons hitting valves?? More likely it's just a heavy rust band in the cylinders that the piston rings are binding up on....possible chance of breaking a ring if it's too thick, and trying to rotate/ push the pistons past that point!?

It might be better to even remove the head to more closely inspect the cylinder walls? Good Luck, hope you don't cause more damage!?
T.C.

[fredintoon]

Hi Shawn,
like TC sez, be gentle with how you try freeing up that motor.
And while the motors are just about the same the brakes, forks, gas tank, rear wheel size and a whole bunch of minor stuff are different on a Standard and on a Special. Someone who don't know which version he has could end up buying the wrong parts. And if you are new to the XS11 you may not know this, the motor runs backwards.