'79 xs1100 special intake boots

[dgeoughea]

I got my first bike ever last week, and it needs some work. I also have no idea what I am doing, so I hope you guys can help me out.

The intake boots on my bike are in terrible shape and need to be replaced. I have seen some threads on these for the xs1100 standard. Will this part vary between the standard and special? Is there any kind of reference around to see which parts are/aren't shared? I am wanting to get a third party kit for this since the yamaha parts cost 80 bucks each. It seems like a couple of kits said the gaskets wouldn't work.

Also, is there any difference between intake boots, carb boots, and carb holders or are they all different names for the same thing? Expect more newbie questions from me because I am full of them.

[Radiation]

Partsnmore

I just replaced mine about 4 months ago. I got mine from www.partsnmore.com for $90 for the set. They bolted right on and made a huge difference. I had a air leak in my #2 intake. Those terms all refer to the same thing on a bike. The intakes are the same for the Special as well as the Standard. You will want to put partsnmore in you favorites, they will save you a ton of money!

[oldnortonrider]

Welcome aboard "dgeoughea".

Carb boots, intake boots, carb holders, "carburetor manifolds"; all same.

I'll guarantee you my carb boots on my daily ride, that I've had for 15 years, look worse on the outside than yours. And it runs fine. If you'll do a search on here, you'll see than when people tear 'em down to replace, the old ones still appear "new" on the inside. Most of the time. Not the same material on inside as the outside.

You say "........you've got no idea what you're doing...." . All of us on here, in the past, have been in that category, until we worked our way forward. Rule No. 1: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." ..............unless it's something that's being changed, modified, i.e. improved. I would suggest to you to fix all else on the machine that would get it rideable. And then you can more easily decide on "questionable" replacement, like the intake boots. Wherever your located, you'll be running on to experienced motorcycle repair folks and riders that you'll get good information from. Try to learn to discern between the ones that are knowledgeable and those that might not be...............

Would help a bit if you'd have more information in your profile.

In the event, you do decide to replace the carburetor boots, you can get 'em here > https://www.partsnmore.com/cat_index...&category=carb .

[dgeoughea]

Thanks for the info. Not five minutes after I posted this, I went back to Partsnmore which I saw yesterday in a similar post from earlier this month. This time, staring right back at me was the kit I somehow did not see yesterday... Don't know how I missed it before.

Updated my info too.

[trbig]

Just to officially answer your question.. All the makes and models with the xs11 motor.. from 78 XS to the 84 XJ all use the same intake boots.


Tod

[dbeardslee]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Great - now you tell me .

If the boots are in good shape on the inside they can be made to look new outside with Plastidip spray. If you've got more time than money it might be something to consider. Mine were in awful shape on the outsides, but the insides were fine. Ten coats of plastidip later and this is what they look like -

[trbig]

Ten coats of plastidip later and this is what they look like -

Translation: "I was really trying hard to make my carb holders look better so you wouldn't notice my old rusty azz clamps that hold the carbs to them."




Tod

[dbeardslee]

Hey! - Those clamps are classics . Actually they remind me of me - getting kind of old and beat up, but basically still doing the job .

[dgeoughea]

I took it to a mechanic to assess its condition because it had been in storage for a while. He told me one of the intake boots is leaking all the way through, so I just ordered another set. Worst case scenario, I have new parts that I didn't really need. Hopefully no harm done. Thanks for all the info.

[BigDick]

Hey! - Those clamps are classics . Actually they remind me of me - getting kind of old and beat up, but basically still doing the job .

heh, they look like the stock clamps, not new shiny fancy ones. (I got the same thing! )

[Thee_oddball]

Great - now you tell me .

If the boots are in good shape on the inside they can be made to look new outside with Plastidip spray. If you've got more time than money it might be something to consider. Mine were in awful shape on the outsides, but the insides were fine. Ten coats of plastidip later and this is what they look like -

lol i just slathered mine in black liquid gasket they were fine on the inside but just thought i would be safe

[jrm000kc]

Carb boots

Mine are definitely shot. I sprayed penetrating oil on them and on every single one I could see tiny cracks appear with every pulse.

I followed the partsnmore link and thought I had the set ordered but it's saying my card was rejected. Never had that problem before. Are they just finicky? Or is it easier to use paypal?

Slathered RTV silicone all over mine as a band aid until I get some ordered. No wonder my idle is never the same and synchronizing is a pain to get right....

[Briggs&Stratton]

I found my set on amazon, they seem nice but I'm only at about 5 mins of run time.

[MPittma100]

Boots

I bought some on Ebay for around $60. They worked out fine.

If/when you either replace them or take them off and reinstall, you should use a sealer along with a gasket to insure a proper seal. You can use the sealer by itself. Irregularities on the head casting can cause a leak with only using the gasket. You do not need much sealer - just enough to do the job. The Ultra Grey RTV silicone by Permatex works very well - available at any auto parts house.

Mike