Power Loss

[dentat2]

I ride an 80 XS11 special. Thats been heavily modified. I've hardtailed it, new rear fender then chopped it, no front brake, flat black paint, all the good ratt stuff.

I'm getting a power loss when i hit a really good bump, it runs like its on two cylinders and I have to clutch and let the rpms drop to zero. I did a search and found some saying check the pickup coil. Now ive also added a couple super coils from a car to it instead of the stock ones. Just wondering if that may be it or still the pickup coils. (didnt want to pull that cover if i dont have to).

thanx
Den

[Ken Talbot]

Go ahead and pull the sidecover, Den. There's no oil in behind there, so this is one of the easier things to check when you have an intermittent problem like this. Checking the wires is pretty easy too and will let you know right away if that's where the problem is.

[CatatonicBug]

I just realized you're in Granite City! Super close to me!! I'm about 30-40 minutes from you, at I-70/I-170. Nice to see the St. Louis group growing!

Welcome to the forum. I've personally never dealt with the pickup coil wires, but that cover really isn't that much to take off. Just some allen bolts. Take the cover off and pull on the wires (good and hard) while the bike is running, and see if that changes the way it's running. The wires tend to break INSIDE the shielding, where you can't see it. Of course, it may be something completely different, but that's worth a check to rule it out.

If you need an extra set of eyes or hands, let me know. I'd be more than happy to help.

[dentat2]

thanx alot im gonna go ahead and give it a shot what the hey ive done it all already

st.louis, thats cool nice to see someone close by with the same bike. believe it or not ive yet to see another one in real life lol.

[CatatonicBug]

st.louis, thats cool nice to see someone close by with the same bike. believe it or not ive yet to see another one in real life lol.

There are a few of us, though I've never actually seen them either. 2 guys in O'Fallon, MO, xs11jack and xs11head. Dan Hodges and a few others are bit further south of the metro area too. There are a few further North of you, up closer to Chicago.

[TopCatGr58]

I ride an 80 XS11 special. Thats been heavily modified. I've hardtailed it, new rear fender then chopped it, no front brake, flat black paint, all the good ratt stuff.

I'm getting a power loss when i hit a really good bump, it runs like its on two cylinders and I have to clutch and let the rpms drop to zero. I did a search and found some saying check the pickup coil. Now ive also added a couple super coils from a car to it instead of the stock ones. Just wondering if that may be it or still the pickup coils. (didnt want to pull that cover if i dont have to).

thanx
Den

Hey Den,

I also agree with the PU coil wire check, but have a few other things I'm concerned with! Okay, you put on some "CAR" super coils, what were the OHM ratings of these coils...the PRIMARY side where you run the power(12v +) and trigger(-) wires to? They needed to be either 1.5 ohms, or ~ 3 ohms. IF they are much less, like 0.7 ohms, then you may have fried your TCI? IF you have the 3 ohms style, you need to BYPASS the ballast resistor so that the coils will get the full 12 volts they probably need.

Also, bumps causing drop outs of the ignition could also be weak/poor solder joints on the TCI itself, and inspection of the joints for the pinouts on the circuit board of the TCI can be resoldered.

Lastly, but not regards to the ignition, but concerns with your general safety and survivability with your rat bike mod design..specifically the bold,red text above!

These machines are very heavy, even stripped, and with a hardtail, no suspension to obsorb bouncing shocks under hard braking, a rear wheel lock up just waiting to happen. Bikes get at least 60% if not more braking force/effect with the front brakes, that's why they had 2 rotors/calipers OEM!! I can appreciate the aesthetic of a minimalist design, but you don't want to do a HARLEY lay it down impression! Just some thoughts.

T.C.

[fredintoon]

I ride an 80 XS11 special. Thats been heavily modified. I've hardtailed it, new rear fender then chopped it, no front brake, flat black paint, all the good ratt stuff.
I'm getting a power loss when i hit a really good bump, it runs like its on two cylinders and I have to clutch and let the rpms drop to zero. - - -
Den

Hi Den,
hardtailing? OK, it's your spine and your chiropractic bills, but no front brake?
I don't see an XS11 making a good flattracker and if you ride a front-brakeless bike on a public road you are going to f**king die!
Your ignition has been taken over by a good spirit who is trying to save your life by making sure you can't actually ride the deathtrap you have turned your bike into.

[CatatonicBug]

I didn't notice that detail in the original post... Yeah, PLEASE put the front brakes (both of them) back on the bike!!! Unless you don't plan to go over 5mph, you NEED them to get that bike stopped in a hurry. It may look "cool" and all, but it won't look cool when you're imbedded in somebody's trunk.

[dentat2]

hardtailing? OK, it's your spine and your chiropractic bills, but no front brake?
I don't see an XS11 making a good flattracker and if you ride a front-brakeless bike on a public road you are going to f**king die!
Your ignition has been taken over by a good spirit who is trying to save your life by making sure you can't actually ride the deathtrap you have turned your bike into.

Ok ok theres no need to be hostile, ive been riding a "front-brakeless bike" on public roads for years and havent f**king died yet. But thank you for your concern.

I tried the pickup coil wires and there doesnt seem to be a problem there. Im thinking it may be the tci thats the problem so that will be my next check. Thanx for the tips.

[CatatonicBug]

Ok ok theres no need to be hostile, ive been riding a "front-brakeless bike" on public roads for years and havent f**king died yet. But thank you for your concern.

No hostility in that. That's just Fred, showing is adamant distaste for anyone who chooses to hardtail an XS . And we are all concerned about each other's safety here, and caution strongly anyone doing anything deemed unsafe - especially the new guys. No front brakes on a 600+ lbs bike definitely falls into that category.

[dentat2]

No problem at all and i really do appreciate the concern. Honestly.

[Schming]

Could it be possible that the carb floats are getting jarred resulting in an intermittent fuel loss caused by the "really good bump"?

[fredintoon]

No hostility in that. That's just Fred, showing is adamant distaste for anyone who chooses to hardtail an XS . And we are all concerned about each other's safety here, and caution strongly anyone doing anything deemed unsafe - especially the new guys. No front brakes on a 600+ lbs bike definitely falls into that category.

Hi 'Bug,
"adamant distaste" eh? Nice phrase. But not just XS11s, hardtailing any rear-suspended bike is the triumph of style over substance. It was over 60 years ago that it became obvious that besides giving a more comfortable ride, the bikes with rear suspension handled better than the rigids.
As to front brake amputation, if young Den wants to smoke pot and pretend he's Peter Fonda, fine. If he wants to ride in safety, he'd best put his front stoppers back on because otherwise he's riding on borrowed time.

[dentat2]

wow............

[fredintoon]

wow............

Hi Den,
don't sweat it. Just like a fella's mother, we wouldn't nag you unless we loved you and wanted you to be safe.