I'm no mechanic...

[Deano62]

Hopefully I won't annoy too many people with this post. I've searched the forum for info on my issues, but the problems discussed don't seem to be exactly the same as mine. And the way you guys talk tech... I feel like the dummy in "Motorcycle Maintenance for Dummies".

Anyway... Problem 1: Front-end wobble in low speed turns. Tried to take it to my local Yamaha dealer, but they won't even let my classic into the shop. So I found a shop that would work on it. Replaced the fork seals and fluid. "I can't find anything wrong with it. And it rides fine when we test drove it." And yet, I still have the wobble.

Now, I'm talking really slow turns. Like a u-turn, or turning into the driveway. If I'm not careful, I almost dump it. (poor thing has been down twice under 5mph)

Tires have less than 1000 miles on them. It has a faring, hard bags, and trunk. Rear forks remain on mid level (i'm a short 135 pounder). I have taken the faring off and tested it, thinking the weight of the faring was causing the problem. Not so. I have not noticed a high-speed wobble (I never go over 70mph. I'll get into that in problem 2).

So, for problem 1... does anybody know of a compitent mechanic in the san francisco bay area? Or could there be something that even this "dummy" could try?

Problem 2: Is the XS1100 a high rpm bike? At 65mph my '79 winds up to 4500-5000 rpm. The 500rpm difference depends on how I upshift to get to 65mph. Slow acceleration and slow shifting gets me 4500rpm @ 65mph. Cranking the throttle and running it up in half a block gets me 5000rpm @ 65mph.

I know what you're thinking... get your clutch adjusted you moron. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

I would love to feel what everyone that has a big bike like this says it's like to really go. But I just know if I take it up to 85 or 90 mph, it's gonna blow.

Maybe the old girl is just worn out. I don't know. The weather is cooling off here on the left coast, so I have a few months to tinker. I'd much rather have a professional fix whatever is wrong though. I'm afraid I'll do more harm than good. Then I'll have this parts bike. I would hate for that to happen.

[strom]

1. Define wobble.... my ex 78E had a cracked frame by the tripple tree along the weld. Whole bottom half was cracked, so inspect that carefully.
Could be the tripple tree bearings on the way out or just that the tripple trees were tightened too much/not enough. Also check the swingarm bearings, alignment etc... also check all your wheel spacers are in place and that everything is tightened according to specs. Also check wheel bearings. But slow speed problems should be pretty obvious to diagnose just jumping on the bike a bit and using a mallot

2. It is a high RPM bike. If you suspect clutch issues, it is usually the clutch springs that get too soft. Cheap fix - get new springs.. Cheaper than clutch plates anyway, since these rarely wear out.
Another thing I have noticed with the XS:
- sometimes the speedo cant catch up with the actual acceleration
- sometimes its not the clutch slipping, but the rear tire spinning Usually happens in 3rd gear (I try not to abuse the first two)

[DGXSER]

Problem no 1 - Strom has great advice on the sterrign head bearings. Also, check for front end alignment. As in, stand in front of the bike and line up the top of the triple trees to be straight and see if the wheel is straight or turned a bit oen way or another. It is fairly esy to realign if the tubes are twisted in the trees.

Problem no 2 - Twist the throttle harder!! Yep, she will run about 5000 at 65-70 mph. Running them up to 7-8k is no big deal typically, so go ahead...twist that throttle. The tachs are subject to getting a "wobble" themselves but not heard much on them being different solid indication at different speeds before. So that does seem like clutch. The springs are the most likely culprit and I just bought new heavy duty springs from my local yamaha dealer for $14. Took me less than hour to change them out. If you go slow and careful since you have not done this before, maybe half a day at most.

[barberad]

Is the wobble left or right turn particular? Maybe you have a control line, throttle or clutch that is not routed correctly and its putting pressure on something in the turn. Have the handlebars been changed out? I put a different set of bars on one of my previous bikes, didn't get the cable routing right and would get instant WOT on left hand turns.

[randy]

All of the above

And...check tire pressures.

[mro]

Hi there Deano,
Sent you a PM.

mro

[CatatonicBug]

As mentioned, the steering head bearings may be suspect, or any of the other things mentioned. Don't be afraid of the RPM's. Normal idle is 1100rpm, and 4-5K is a good, "pushin' down the highway" rpm. These things will redline without damage, so enjoy the muscle!

As long as you have a manual and a few basic tools, you can do ANYTHING to your bike that needs to be done. Don't discount yourself! These are NOT difficult machines to work on. No computer-guided junk like the modern bikes/cages, and that makes fixing stuff a whole lot easier and cheaper. Just read, ask questions here (we all like answering questions, if you haven't noticed ), and dig in! Before long, you'll be talkin' shop just like everyone else!