78 xs11 starting issues

[excessive1100]

Well Ihave finally got to trying to start up the beast .

Got the new fuse panel from TopCat and have it wired in.

Removed the coils and did the mod to put on new plug wires , put in new Champion RYN9C plugs as per Dave Norton in the thread.

The bike will start and sputter for a couple seconds than die.

I believe I will have to remove and clean the carbs again (supposedly done by PO) but is there anything else I should check ?

[CatatonicBug]

Checking the carbs sounds like a good idea. You never know how well the PO did at cleaning them. Be sure the floats are not getting stuck and that the needles and jets are all free of gunk. Check/replace spark plugs as well. After that, be sure the fuel flow is good. Check the petcocks and fuel lines.

[excessive1100]

Actually the bike is on a remote fuel bottle that I set up. This way it can by worked on with the tank removed.

You are right cleaning the carbs will be the first task.

[Ivan]

Actually, before that I would crank it over while spraying some carb cleaner in the carbs, just to see if it is a fuel problem or a something else problem.

[excessive1100]

I went a head removed the carbs , first one didn't look too bad until I got into it a little, some of the ports are plugged completely. A good idea to finish going through them then I should be good.

[dbeardslee]

I've got one of those auxiliary fuel tanks too. Gotta remember to crack the cover a little when you use one or the fuel won't flow. jat

[excessive1100]

I actually built it using a small tank off a 2 stroke scooter and it has the vent built into the cap.

[dbeardslee]

ex - I should have read a little more closely. If you found plugged ports, you probably already located the problem.

[TopCatGr58]

Don't forget the small fuel enrichener jet down in the float bowl, easily clogged, sometimes requires a thin wire to poke into it to dislodge gunk along with carb cleaner, should squirt back out the tube when sprayed into!!! Will make starting much easier afterwards!!
T.C.

[excessive1100]

Well have some bad news in the carb cleaning saga .

3 of the 4 idle mixture screws have the tips broke off and jammed in the hole.

Is there a source for new ones ?


Thanks :

Lyle

[dbeardslee]

Yup - Carb Kits Capital sells rebuild kits that include the mixture screws as well as the slide needles for $15 ea. I just put four kits in old Betsy and she really likes 'em. Carefull getting the needle tips out. If you ham-fist it you can damage the orifices. If they're not stuck too bad you might be able to get 'em out by putting a rubber tube on the end of an air compressor line and holding it up to orifice from the inside of the carb. If that doesn't work, a small piece of wire might do it, but again, be careful. A little shot of penetrating oil may be in order too - Free All is really great stuff.

[bikerphil]

broken idle mixture screw

Read this, it should help.....

http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/tech-t...p-removal.html

[excessive1100]

Turns out Carb Capital is sold out of the idle mixture screws , I would have to buy the complete kits.

[bikerphil]

Bikebandit.com carries them, but, they're $14.06 each, screw only. It's the ones for the 78-79 carbs.

[dbeardslee]

If it was me, I'd just buy the whole kit (which I already did). You can never have too many carb parts .