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**DGXSER** · 09-09-2009, 05:36 PM

Hey XS11Widowmaker,

I live at the opposite corner of the state from you. But I do periodically get up your way. My inlaws live in Warren.

As to why we do this, well, for me it is because this is the sexiest most powerful and fun bike I have ever owned. It also fits in my budget. For what an 1100 CC bike with this kind of power and durability would cost today, you can easily buy about every part on this bike twice. ( ok, a little overkill there, maybe). But it is also relatively easy to work on. Try changing spark plugs on an F150 or even a Dodge Dakota, its easier to pull the head off this machine and do a complete valve job.

I'd be happy to stop in and take a look at it with you when I get up that way next, probably around thanksgiving. Otherwise, we periodically have a work shop around here you would be welcome to attend, read, we get together and work on one or another members bikes as a tag team.

The combined knowledge and friendship makes the work easy and the time go fast.

Now, tell us more of what is wrong and what you have done to try and correct it, and I am sure someone here can get you on the right trail. The first thing I would do is run compression check, that tells you if you have a good foundation to build your house on. Next would depend on the issue your having. From there it is either spark or fuel or the timing thereof.

**xs11widowmaker** · 09-09-2009, 05:56 PM

Thanks for your response. My bike is an 81S special.
It has a 4 into one jardine exhaust and I run pod filters. I have tubes on the filters so the air flow is not resticted as they are the cheaper filters. I have 120 mains and 42 pilots. Last week I just put on mike's coils.
It seems like whatever setup I use it runs rich. 2 weeks ago I took it out to norwalk raceway as it was runninh pretty good. As long s I run 70 it ran good but when I slow down under 3500 it loads up very quickly. I am about 60 miles from the track and I took extra plugs with me as they were black by the time I got there. It rained so I didnt get a chance to race. I am hopefuly taking back on the 28th this month as the place where I work has the track rented out. (if you want to go get in touch with me)
I am very close to just seling it but its the bike I always wanted since they came out. Thanks again for understanding and your help

**foreda** · 09-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Rich

Black means rich. Since you changed coils. you might want to verify float height. What year model carbs are you running?

**DGXSER** · 09-09-2009, 06:04 PM

Running rich in the low end like that is most likely fuel and specifically carbs related. Are they all equally fouled across the board? I would think that thye would differ some. If anythign with that exhaust and pod filters with that jetting I would expect you to run lean.

So, where did you get the jets you put in, were they there when you bought the bike? Are they Genuine Mikuni?

Also, I always go over this one because I did it myself and I also have an SH. When I pulled my carbs down for a rebuild, I took one of the needle valves out of the slide. When I put it back together, I got the needle and the spring reversed. This raised the needle up ALOT, and that one cylinder would foul out at anything under 3k for more thna a mile. A couple thoughts for you to try.

**Gator** · 09-09-2009, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by foreda View Post

Black means rich. Since you changed coils. you might want to verify float height. What year model carbs are you running?

I will qualify this with 'I am new to these particular bikes', but, from what I have read, and what I know of mine, the diaphragms seem to like getting little holes in them, and that can also make it run a little rich...
Someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong on that, or if this bike doesn't have that same issue...

**xs11widowmaker** · 09-09-2009, 06:30 PM

Im not sure what year thecarbs are, but they are off a midnight special. All the plugs are fouled the same. Right now the float ht is 26 with the gasket in place. What springs are you talking about? The little spring by the needle or the big floppy ones under the caps? Thanks again

**TopCatGr58** · 09-09-2009, 06:44 PM

Hey Widow,

I,too, have an 81SH, although it has the little big bore kit. My stock pilot jet in one of my carbs was severely stuck back in 2000 when I was working on it, and stripped out the jet slot, so I cleaned it up so it would still flow, but left the smaller jets in! They are the 42.5 size. I put in 117.5's (up from 110) when I put the Pod filters on after I rebuilt it with the big bore. I have the pilot screws turned out about 2.5 turns.

I had a broken float post, thought I fixed it, but got it slightly crooked, and the #2 carb would occasionally flood because the float sitting slightly crooked wouldn't seal, and it would bog severely until I got it above 3k rpm. I fixed the float properly a few years ago, and it has worked flawlessly since!

Did you remove the float needle SEATS during your cleaning? They use a rubber O-ring to seal the seat into the body, and they can shrink/flatten and LEAK causing a richer condition.

You've fixed the cheap pods like I did with the velocity stack/tubes, so the restriction at the inlet bell is negated.

As was mentioned, are you running OEM pilot jets, and the right style. There are two styles of pilot jet, the BS and the VM, and the VM's will cause overly rich circuits even if they are the correct size!

Keep at it, and I'm sure some other Xsives near you can make a housecall to provide some laying on of hands to cure your ailing beast!
T.C.

**xs11widowmaker** · 09-09-2009, 06:48 PM

What is the diferance in the BS an VM jets and how do I tel which ones I have?

**TopCatGr58** · 09-09-2009, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by xs11widowmaker View Post

What is the diferance in the BS an VM jets and how do I tel which ones I have?

From Mikes XS pilot jet page!

**TopCatGr58** · 09-09-2009, 07:01 PM

Also, do your carbs have 4 small ports along with the vacuum slide arced port in the inlet bell, or only 3?? If 4, then you have the later model carbs, and your float height should be 23mm from the body base, no gasket.

Other problems can be caused if you have the wrong type/year of carbs, so please tell us what style you have for sure!!!
T.C.

**xs11widowmaker** · 09-09-2009, 07:09 PM

I just went out and got a pilot jet and mine has 8 holes in the body of it. my carbs have 4 holes in the bell so your saying my floats should be at 23? wouldnt this be richer than 27? Thanks so much for your help

**xs11widowmaker** · 09-09-2009, 07:14 PM

My carbs have the gold caps and are black. I was told they are off a midnight special

**TopCatGr58** · 09-09-2009, 07:19 PM

Hey Widow,

Yes, the 23mm mark "would" theoretically make it run richer IF it were running lean, or running correctly at all? How is it performing near redline...does it seem to run out of steam and loose it's pulling power near redline??

Those incorrect VM pilots throw off the metering of the pilot circuit, and the pilot circuit does contribute some to the main circuit as well.

Get some BS styled pilots and put them in there, and then reset your floats to 23 from the body surface, and see how it performs, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised....just hold on tight!!

T.C.

**xs11widowmaker** · 09-09-2009, 07:25 PM

Top Cat,
I will do exactly what you say. I am ordering new pilots and setting my floats. If this works I owe you dinner,beer whatever you want. You dont know how close I was to selling this bike before you guys helped me on here. I will put some pics up later this week. Its a great looking bike and you guys have put the fire back in me. You guys are the best. so with the 8 holes in my jets they are the vm style? Thanks so much again!!!!!!

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