Announcement

**Jerry** · 07-02-2009, 01:06 PM

Actually, there are a lot of them out there with similar stories. The XS - XJ has been described as a 'brick on wheels" because it will run for 100K + with only routine maintenance.

It was estimated that 10 - 15 percent of these bikes have transmission problems, and fewer than that have problems with the CDI. Howver, broken wires in the pick-up assembly are common.

Most 11s die from neglect. A lot of what you see here is bikes that have been mistreated, have sat for long periods outside or without running or have been otherwise ignored. Once you get the bike sorted out they are as reliable as anything on the market as long as you do the routine maintenance.

Now, certain parts are no longer available from Yamaha, so some repairs may take some engineering or substitution, like mufflers and some trim parts. This doesn't detract from the reliability of the 11 series; the fact that the bikes are outliving the parts supply in itself should tell you something about the longevity of the 11 series.

**randy** · 07-02-2009, 01:09 PM

Sure. Mine is pretty much trouble-free. But, then I did a ground-up. The guys who just fix what's needed and go eventually wind up fixing everything, a little at a time, so it may seem as if there are alot of problem bikes, but it's all in the way you look at it i guess.

**CatatonicBug** · 07-02-2009, 02:07 PM

Exactly. These bikes are relatively bullet-proof, as long as you treat them well. They are not high-maintenance at all. The only issues happen with neglect. Very few issues happen repetatively, and usually, once you get a problem fixed, you don't see the same problem happen again. If you fix everything from the ground up, then the problems go away before they surface, but most people just wait for them to happen and fix it along the way. It's less painful on the wallet that way IMO.

**Larrym** · 07-02-2009, 03:26 PM

I just got back from a 5-month trip with my special. WA, Oregon, CA, Arizona,Utah, Idaho. Bike rode in the back of my truck to get to the "nice" roads/weather in these states. Bike performed amazingly well and didn't leave me stranded.

Wasn't a perfectly maintenance free trip. I replaced the front brake pads, added another clamp to the fuel line, stopped a leak at the cam chain tensioner, changed the oil, replaced the headlight bulb. Nothing I wasn't prepared to do on any 30 year old machine.

I followed the following philosophy:

" Positive performance should never be viewed as the entire lack of problems."

Before I went I took care of any problems I was aware of. The site here was crucial to that process. Although the bike was 30 years old, it was at a known-good-point in the maintenance schedule. Translation: tested and roadworthy.

New, as in fresh from the factory, is just a point in time where all the maintenance/repairs are miles/time down the road. (Theory of course...) For those of us that own these bikes these repairs/maintenance/preparation are up to us to keep ahead of. Not keep up on but to keep ahead of. That is one of the great things about these bikes: anything that has gone wrong with them has done so and this site lists so very many of these problems/solutions.

Just a thought, but the bike discussion forum here is oriented towards helping those owners who have encountered some difficulty. Like a squeaky wheel they call out for attention and then once the problem is dealt with the noise stops.

Just listen to the sound of all the other members/owners who are enjoying their XS1100s: Their silence in the "discussion forum" while they ride.

PS: I NEVER ride in the rain. Kinda figure it like driving your car in a storm without a hood. Way too many things exposed to water that would be best kept clean and dry.

**TopCatGr58** · 07-02-2009, 07:10 PM

Hey Ford,

I did my rebuild back in 2000, big bore kit, not quite a frame up restore, but close. I've ridden it on many LDR's, also trailered it to the fun spots several times for some good hard twisty riding, etc. Have done some mods like the MikesXS coils, and fuseblock, etc., but hadn't really touched the engine....except for adding a steel clutch plate and new springs some 6 years after the rebuild, and just last year put in new viton tipped float needle valves, was leaking a little!

I'll be helping a fellow Xsive this weekend do the Dremmel fix and other stuff. I have put 16K miles on mine...yeah, I know...Tod had pointed it out to me that it was less than 2K per year, but I didn't want to put a bunch of unnecessary routine to work and back miles on my new topend!

I set the valve clearances after lapping them during the rebuild, haven't taken the top off to check them!

I just this past weekend did my cam chain tensioner adjustment, think I heard a slight tick as the plunger pushed in a few mm's, but that's it!

The word bulletproof isn't strong enough for these machines!!!
T.C.

**T99Ford** · 07-03-2009, 07:38 AM

I think it is good to here from everyone who is not having problems every once in a while, and just enjoying their bikes. (Of course, I still feel for those who have obtained a neglected bike, and have to do all the work to get to that just turn key and ride stage). But there is certainly less maintenance required on these bikes than I originally thought would be. I'm glad to hear there are others out there with the same experiences. Now lets all get out and ride!

**XS1100 Newbie** · 07-03-2009, 07:52 AM

Being new to these bikes, i think it would be great if one of the older members could put together a list of what services we need to do, and what we need to look at when we first get one of these bikes. Mine only has 11000 miles on it, and runs great right now. I intend on changing fluids in the mid and final drive, and greasing her up. I don't seem to have any of the most prevelent problems that seem to arise on here. A checklist would be great.

**DiverRay** · 07-03-2009, 09:28 AM

All you need to do is follow the repair manual for that. Some of what we do WILL keep you from working on it so much. Use synthetic oil in the middle and final drives, and you can go 20K between oil changes. Higher power coils, and iridium plugs and you don't need to change them for 10K, not 2K like the "normal". Valves will usually go 10K between checks, but that MAY get a little sooner as you get more miles on the bike. At 100K, I'm looking at 7.5K miles now. Carbs go about 30K once they are set, if you use filters.

**Trainzz** · 07-03-2009, 10:10 AM

I guess I am one of the lucky ones. Bought Thunderpig in February, changed the oil and replaced the battery. That's it. Just made the meeting of the minds in Texas, and the only thing broken after 800+ miles that weekend is my butt. Didn't even need to add oil when I got back. Granted, there are some things I want to do with the bike, but they are cosmetic in nature, not mechanical. Although I will probably do the coil upgrade, fuse block, and 750/850 final drive this winter. But it is riding season now, not fixing season. Thunderpig takes everthing I throw at him and asked for more. I couldn;t be happier with my purchase.

**MindWebs** · 07-04-2009, 03:09 PM

11's are good...

mine needed a bit (still needs a bit)...

but yes it was neglected, it sat for at least 4 years before i aquired it.
the carb's needed the most attention and full rebuilding.
i swaped HD muffers onto it due to rusted originals..
Funny story about that.. it rejected them

broke the welds between the inlet pipe and the main casing.

apparently it don't like hog crap loaded onto it.... i'm thinking i'll try rocket cans next. see if it likes them better.

maybe it has decided to associate more with my 2 rockets then all the hogs out there.

i believe that the people you meet in here have "basket cases" and the ones you don't "talk" to are all the people that have done the repairs and are out riding

So, GOOD LUCK to All!!
may your adventures on the road start soon!!

Webs

Announcement

Amazing...

Amazing...

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment