New to site and bike

[jasonblood]

I just got a 79 XS1100 and I'm looking for some help getting running. I'm from the Twin Cities area and don't have a place or tools to work on it. I know the carbs need to be cleaned, all fluids should be changed, a new front tire, front brakes reassembled (someone squeezed the lever when the pads were out.), battery and gas should be all. I got a grab box of goodies and parts to go with it and plan on buying the rest. I really would like to do this myself, but willing to help someone out with cash if they have the time, since I don't. Thanks in advance, laters, -/3.

[latexeses]

Welcome

Greetings jasonblood,

Welcome to the site.
You might want to start with the search button for your maintenance questions.

You will learn a ton about your bike by getting your hands dirty. It is a good thing to know how these bikes work. It seems not very many outside of this forum that work on bikes know anything about them, or were alive when they were built for that matter.

Find a good shop manual, Clymer, Haynes or the Yamaha manual is worth it's weight.

Member Catatonicbug has several of them available for download if you are so inclined. Look for one of his posts as he has them linked from his signiture.

There is plenty of encouragement here if you get stuck. Dive in!

Rodger

[b.walker5]

Welcome aboard brother, you've joined the best forum in cyberspace IMHO. These bikes are a joy to own but be careful, if you dont respect the power it'll bite you. There seems to be a new member falling out of the woodwork on a daily basis at the moment. Good to see there's a healthy growing interest in XS11's, either that or they're being re-incarnated from the number of current members going down and breaking stuff (including me)

[fredintoon]

Hi Jase & welcome,
you should look for someplace to work on the bike and to keep it safe from thieves, joyriders and the weather. Then spend $20 on a Clymers.
Does the bike still have the original toolkit? The tools in it are far from being top-of-the-line but they will tell you which good tools to buy.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Jason,

Welcome and congrats on your acquisition. First off, please edit your profile/add a signature that tells the rest of us what year/model you have, so that in future posts, you won't have to repeat yourself. There are differences in the models/years and info can be model specific. There is a thread in the MISC forum that you can use to check your VIN# against to be sure of what year and what model you have, special or standard, sometimes they are registered/licensed in the year they were sold, not the actual model/production year.

Next, check out the STICKY thread in the Member's Lounge, about how to locate others in your area. We can understand the desire to get the bike into running/riding condition ASAP, it's early summer, and where you live it won't last as long as those of us in warmer climate zones.

These machines are not as complicated as modern techno marvels, but there are specific maintanence procedures that need to be followed to ensure that no damage occurs, ie. the cam chain tensioner adjustment, cleaning the carbs WITHOUT SOAKING THEM in harsh carb cleaner that will eat up the butterfly shaft seals, things like this.

Hope you find an XSIVE near you and can get it going and into safe reliable condition so you can enjoy the weather. BTW, have you ever ridden before? If not, be sure to take an MSF course prior to getting out on the road with this machine, otherwise it can bite you badly if you don't learn how to control it!

[dbeardslee]

Jason - Welcome to CH11. Tools are something you accumulate over a lifetime, and if you buy good ones and take care of them, that's how long they'll last. I started my collection with a little plastic toolbox with a couple of screwdrivers and wrenches, and over the years I've watched the collection grow to take over the garage. Start with the basics - a decent toolbox (gotta keep 'em organized or you'll loose 'em) loaded with box/open end wrenches, sockets and ratchets, allen wrenches, pliers and channel locks, screwdrivers, side cutters, and a digital multimeter (trust me - you'll need it). As you encounter situations that require more specialized tools, add them. One day you'll look around and find yourself with a new problem - where to put them all . The thread "What tools do you carry?" will give you an idea of the sizes you'll need, as well as some good suggestions on what to carry on the bike. Definitely learn to do the work yourself, unless you can fit your mechanic in your tool kit. Breakdowns happen, and often times they're fixable on the side of the road if you're familiar with your bike. Good luck with the new machine.

[MindWebs]

location, location, location....

hmm, you didn't mark the area on your login name line thing.... whatever.

but i'm "ass-uming"(you know how that works out) that you are refering to
saint paul/minneapolis, twin cities MN.

if so, i'm about an hour to 2 hours from you depending on what part of the
cities your in.

next question... you have a truck or a trailer?

if you can bring it down, i've got all the tools and a garage to work in.
dragon tamer helped me learn to fix these sweet bikes up and i'm MORE then
willing to pass the favor on!!!

i've also have a parts breakdown and a hanes(or clymer?) manual.

send me a PM and we'll set it up!!

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome to the forum! As you can probably tell already, there are tons of people here with tons of knowledge about these bikes. You have definitely done right by finding this place. You can download the manuals from the link in my signature, and be sure to do LOTS of reading in the Tech Tips area. You'll learn things you never thought you needed to know. It doesn't take much in the way of fancy tools to work on these bikes. They were made before the days of computer-controlled engines and sensors. Everything is mechanical, and the basic Homeowner toolkit, along with a few extras should be plenty. Just remember - Metric!

MSF course is definitely a must-have for any new rider, especially on these heavy things. Take your time and be safe. Be sure to ask lots of questions, and post some pictures! We like pictures!

[DenyP]

Welcome Jason! Happy to see another member from Minnesota. As others have said, these old bikes do require some maintenance and some TLC. I find it a rewarding hobby. Ridding the XS1100 is nothing short of fantastic!

Deny

[jasonblood]

Many Thanks To All!

Sorry for the late praise, still getting settled. Well for starters, this is my 2nd bike (1st - 1980 XS850 Special). I got them both from the same owner. I got a few manuals with the bike as well as a few replacement parts. The original tool kit is present with a few tools and gauges thrown in for good measure. I can't wait to fill my head with all the knowledge that lurking from within. In time my greatest thanks will be the sound of bike rumbling. Laters, -/3.