new to the xs!

[apg0106]

Hey guys, i just got out of the Marine Corps last month, did 4 years of active duty, and one tour in Iraq. Well, right before I got out, a buddy of mine bought a 1980 Yamaha XS1100 SG<--? 3j6007270 is what the title says, and from what i've researched, its the SG model. Any idea on what exactly the difference is between the SG or whatever? Anyway, i bought it from him for $25 and a pair of new boots, lol. its got 17000 miles on it, kinda chopped up, didn't have a seat or a tank. So, i've got it together, just about ready to be ridden. Need a carb rebuild kit, and the petcocks are leaking fuel. So a little bit of work. But the biggest problem im having, is i acquired a 4 mechanical gauge set up for the vac. to sync them, when i hooked them up, they were all over the place, never could even read them. So, i looked up a few things, my bike has no Octupus, which apparently is a necessity, or you have to rig it up to run without it. Either way, the guy before me just ripped things out. I just need to try and find a vac. diagram, or something, or someone in my area who might be able to help me out with this. Any help would be great! Thanks guys! Im in Omaha, NE by the way. doubt anyones around here. lol.

[latexeses]

Welcome and thank you for your service.

Get to a post by CatatonicBug. He has maint. manuals in his website. There is a link in his signature that will take you to them.

The search button is your best friend right now. Do a search on "carb sync" and you will find several ways of building a set to sync your carbs. The tech tips section has a homebuilt system that will work.

Sounds like your gage has nothing to buffer the pulse in the gage. Usually a small needle valve similar to those used on an aquarium air system is used on each tube on the gage systems. The setup in the tech section uses just one.

There are members who have built liquid tube systems as well.

You have arrived in Mecca for XS11's.

Here is a link to the model designations--- http://www.xs11.com/faqs/153-serial-...ry-colors.html

Again..Thanks for your service.

Rodger

[DGXSER]

Hey guys, i just got out of the Marine Corps last month, did 4 years of active duty, and one tour in Iraq.

Congrats on completing your tour of duty!!

Well, right before I got out, a buddy of mine bought a 1980 Yamaha XS1100 SG<--? 3j6007270 is what the title says, and from what i've researched, its the SG model. Any idea on what exactly the difference is between the SG or whatever?

The last letter indicates the year it was made 78=E 79=F 80=G 81=H for the XS models. The S indicates it is the "Special" model. 3J6 is the 1980 Special model or the SG for short. As to the differences between models, there is an FAQ I believe on that.

Anyway, i bought it from him for $25 and a pair of new boots, lol. its got 17000 miles on it, kinda chopped up, didn't have a seat or a tank.

Arrest that man for Grand Theft!!!

So, i've got it together, just about ready to be ridden. Need a carb rebuild kit, and the petcocks are leaking fuel. So a little bit of work.

Are the petcocks leaking fuel or is it running out the air box from the carbs? The latter would indicate float valve issues you will cure when you install the rebuild kits.

But the biggest problem im having, is i acquired a 4 mechanical gauge set up for the vac. to sync them, when i hooked them up, they were all over the place, never could even read them.

You have to install a valve or an orifice of some kind to absorb the pulses in the vacuum. Without this metering method of some sort, it will do just as you described.

So, i looked up a few things, my bike has no Octupus, which apparently is a necessity, or you have to rig it up to run without it.

The Octy is just a vacuum operated fuel valve. It is a safety device only and not a required piece. Yes, alot of folks eliminate it. I have for one. either wat, if you run on the prime setting it is not part of the equation. Depending in how your fuel lines were set up since the octy was removed, will determine how you need your petcocks turned to get fuel flow.

Either way, the guy before me just ripped things out. I just need to try and find a vac. diagram, or something, or someone in my area who might be able to help me out with this. Any help would be great!

You cna find a petcock rebuild kit for the special model on Fleabay typically. Look for a seller named GeorgeFix. I used him for my carb rebuild kits. He seemed very knowledgable about the XS1100 and gave me a decent deal on the parts.

Thanks guys! Im in Omaha, NE by the way. doubt anyones around here. lol.

I know I am not. But welcome to Channel 11!! Before to long you will feel the fun and power fo these acient beast!

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome aboard! Thank you for your service. Glad to see you made it back in one piece.

The SG is an '80 Special. The differences are small, but most on here would be able to tell you what year/model a bike is just by looking at a couple of pictures (we like pictures BTW!). The Specials have a smaller, rounded fuel tank, and the Standards have a flat-sided tank, and a flatter seat.

The octy was a stock item on all the Specials, but many on here have removed them, feeling that they are just another possible point of failure. All you really need to do is get fuel from the petcock to the carbs, and be able to turn it off if/when you want to. If oyu want to put the octy back on, there are probably a few folks on here who would be willing to throw one in your direction (or in any direction, really )

The sync gauges need to have a dampener valve on each of the hoses to keep them from jumping around. Be sure to calibrate them by hooking them all up individualy to the same carb (doesn't matter which one) to be sure they are all reading the same number.

If you don't have a manual, you can download one from the link in my signature. Be sure to take your time, read a LOT, and ask TONS of questions on here. Anything and everything you could ever want to know abou the XS1100 has been experienced by the people on here, and they're all willing to share it with you!

[fredintoon]

Hi APG and welcome,
my uncle Reg served 21 years in the Royal Marines.
Luckily for him he mustered out 3 months before WW2 started or he'd have been the oldest man to wade ashore on D-day.
But about your bike, the octopus is a central vacuum operated fuel control.
IMHO it's an insanely complicated gadget that's prone to failure and you are better off without it.
There's posts here about how to rebuild your gas taps and about the simplest way to hook them up to the carbs.
Just remember to turn the gas off when you park the bike.
Vacuum gauge carb balancers are notorious for their needles flailing about so you can't read them.
There's posts here about building a low-cost balancing manometer out of aquarium tubing.

[apg0106]

Well, i've noticed that you guys like pictures, well LOVE them rather. haha. For some reason, i cannot post pictures, if you've got email, and your really that interested in seein this sweet xs, i can send em', maybe you could post them up for me? thanks guys! I've been using the heck out of the SEARCH function, i love it, i've been learning TONS. Okay, so real quick. The petcocks themselves are leaking, AND the #3 carb fills with gas and leaks out, which is why im buying the rebuild kits for all 4. I've always wanted a bike, seriously, Santa Clause? yeah, i asked him for a motorcycle, and damn that man I NEVER GOT ONE! then i found out it was my dad, than son of B$*#...lol, anyways. Im just going to go through the carbs beings #3 is in need of a new float, and all the screws and stuff are stripped out, so taking them apart has been, well not fun. but things will be cleaned, gone through and fixed. Im in love with this damn bike! if i could sleep with it i would, its just to heavy to cuddle with... thanks again!

[oseaghdha]

Do yourself a favor and go get SS socket head screws for the bowls and vacuum lids.

Saves valuable cursing for more important matters.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Welcome

Hey APG,

Welcome to channel 11 and thanks from me for you service also. I currently have a niece over there serving. Her mom (my sister) says those bad guys over there are in real trouble now because now Tristen is there, AND THEY GAVE HER A RIFLE!

These guys & girls here are great.

If you need anything don't be shy. Parts are plentiful here, Someone the other day deemed it the "brotherhood of the traveling parts", but the advise is never ending and both are very good.

Welcome
Greg

[fredintoon]

- - - I've always wanted a bike, seriously, Santa Claus? yeah, i asked him for a motorcycle, and damn that man I NEVER GOT ONE! then i found out it was my dad, that son of B$*#...lol, - - - Im in love with this damn bike! if i could sleep with it i would, its just to heavy to cuddle with... thanks again!

Hi apg,
first, you gotta see this:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXAAuQhkSbs
So this is your first ever motorcycle? Your Marine training must have exposed you to all manner of lethal machinery.
You still got one.
The XS11 is seriously overpowered for it's brakes and handling abilities. Fer Chrissake take a rider's course.

[Bigfoot]

There are quite a few of us here in the Kansas City area. Only a couple hours from you.

The bike will run just fine without the octy, you just have to re-route a couple things.

Go to photobucket.com and create an account. It is free. Then you post pics here.

You can get petcock rebuild kits but alot of times you can fix them just by taking them apart and cleaning them up. #3 flooding is obviously because that float is stuck open. Cleaning the carbs and new kits should resolve that problem. I doubt you need a new float (yours should be plastic) just a float needle, cleaning, and adjustment.

Welcome to the site and enjoy the bike. Let us know if you ride down this way.

[apg0106]

well, i must thank all of you for the praise about the service, i did it cause i wanted to, i always say theres no need for thanks, but they are appreciated. again, thank you. Bigfoot, im sure when this thing gets running, im headin all over the place, i'll let ya know! lol. So when i got the bike, i got the front calipers in a box, bad idea to leave em' off? my dad thinks im crazy, im sure i am, but oh well. everyones a little crazy. and im going to go throw these pics on photobucket, then you guys can see what im working with! stock, through current! Oh, one more quick ?, i've searched the chain drive conversion, and apparently the man who was doing them doesn't anymore? anybody know how much that cost or how hard it was, anything? thanks again guys!

[apg0106]

http://photobucket.com/1965beetle this is the bike, its got my 65' beetle project too! enjoy!

[tw1980]

Welcome aboard and semper fi

Terry.

[apg0106]

btw, fredintoon, I DID!

[XJOK2PLAY]

So when i got the bike, i got the front calipers in a box, bad idea to leave em' off? my dad thinks im crazy, im sure i am, but oh well. everyones a little crazy.

Oh, one more quick ?, i've searched the chain drive conversion, and apparently the man who was doing them doesn't anymore? anybody know how much that cost or how hard it was, anything? thanks again guys!

Hey!
Welcome to the forum! And, I too, really appreciate your service. Thank you!

To answer the first question.... YES!!!! BAD IDEA to run w/o front brakes!
They are 70% of your total braking power! Can't stop... it's over. To me, I personally think stopping distance is just as, if not more, important than speed & horsepower! So, if you got the setups, by all means... install them.... do not ride anywhere, anymore until you do! After all, we want you around...
Specials are setup from the factory differently than Standards were on the brakes... there similar to XJ's... linked brakes. Do a thread search.

Congrats on figuring out how to post pics! You're doing good!

I might suggest another thing, too... It will help everyone here on the forum if you get time and will edit your signature... you'll see the tab on the page where you send a PM... Any info helps... make & year of the bike, mods that have been done, where you are in the world, bikes you've previously owned... that sort of stuff. Really helps us help you. And it will then be on every post you make from then on... so you don't have to repeat yourself, and we don't have to keep asking!

The 'ole boy you're refering to about the chain drive mod is known as XSCHOP... hadn't heard he's stopped being a source... but he's probably forgotten more about these bikes than most of us will ever learn...
Very sharp individual.

Since your's is a bobber, that would probably be a great mod, too. Especially if you plan to up the power. Bigger back tire, chain drive...
but it is a rather intensive mod... not easy for a novice...

Me... I love the "all stock", "like new" "low mileage" sweeties...(Bikes...)LOL
Love shaft driven bikes. But these do have limitations when it comes to traction and tire sizes... but I've ridden with a few guys here that can push these stockers even beyond the capabilities that were ever expected from these bikes when they were new! Amazing riding abilities... they've really shown me just how great these 'ole bikes truely are.

Just play it safe, remember... you're invisible to the rest of the world... always be prepared when you ride and leave yourself a plan "B" escape route... and live to ride another day. As Fred suggested... if an 11 is your first bike... by all means... do yourself a big favor and take a course. You'll be glad you did.

In top form... these bikes are fantastic. This forum is a one of the best groups of people around, that are downright dedicated to the preservation and assistance to keeping them alive. We also feel the same about the riders as well!!!! Don't be too cool... get some riding gear. It's worth it.
Ride Safe!
Regards,
Bob