First post, First XS1100, Scared to start...

[Trix]

Hey guys. I have what I believe is a 76? XS1100 that I got with a clean title for $50. It... WAS.. a complete bike minus carbs. Now its basically a frame with two wheels, I've torn off the frame guard, seat, tank, chopped the rear frame/fender combo off. (This is a bobber/chopper project... don't hate please, i'm not looking to go nuts, I just want it dirty looking on purpose lol.)

But.. back to topic. I've started reading things all over the forum, I hear the carbs suck, the transmissions have issues, and the brakes can be funny. Well... someone please lead me in the right direction or give me input on this:

Do carbs from other bikes in this era run on ours? I'm not looking to fabricate a manifold from scratch, simply get this bad boy up and running without spending an arm and a leg. I can't find any XS1100 carbs locally, affordably.

My tranny seems stuck. The bike sat for probably a year and a half under a deck. Assembled... but under a deck. Can someone lead me in the right direction of getting the tranny loose so she can shift and I can force start her to see if she cranks? I've heard to take off the tranny plate and remove/clean/grease the clutch components? I'm very mechanically capable, just new to this bike completely. I haven't had a bike since my last, which was a 425 Suzuki 1979.

Carbs again... i'm scared I'm not going to find anything that works that isn't a complete pain in the ass. Also... clear title, in hand, but no key. Can someone tell me how I can force-jump this bike to see if she will at least kick over? I want to make sure she isn't locked up for good. I don't believe she is.

Thanks for anyone who is willing to point me in the right directions. This seems like a great community, I can't wait to show you guys some progress. I'll take some pictures this weekend of it basically being torn down to her frame now and being rebuilt.

Cody

[lakecountrydave]

Trix,

Welcome! I think that you will find that you have an excellent steed Your bike is not a 1976. They were first produced in 1978. You can use the vin number and this link:

http://www.xs11.com/faqs/153-serial-...ry-colors.html

You might also take a look here:

http://www.xs11.com/faqs/17-differen...odels-faq.html

After you figure out what you have you should add that info to your signature so that it is easier for others to diagnose a problem. Members have used several different carbs and even fuel injection on these bikes, but once you get the stockers tuned right they are quite reliable. You might want to talk to Andrew Weiss (search the members) for a set of carbs. He sells a lot of parts for these bikes, and is a pleasure to deal with. I will let those who are better at these things assist you with the transmission.

I almost forgot. Post some pics!

[Mr.Bill]

Hello and welcome, I have a 79 XS1100SF that has been sitting leaned up agains a grape vine since 1982, so yours is better then mine LOL.

First real thing i did was pull the plugs, spray some PB Blaster into the cylinders and let it sit for a week, and then pulled the timing cover off (left side cover) and turned the large nut there CLOCKWISE, direction of the arrow to make sure not froze as you are wondering. Oh with the plugs removed

Not sure about the tranny in your case, but the TECH tips here are amazing to read thru, and highly recommend.

And ask away these guys are also amazing here, and have done literally everything there is to do to these bikes.

[Crazcnuk]

Don't let the worry warts get you down!

The carbs are fine, but like any older vehicle they need some TLC. The big thing is, if you replace all the wear parts, you should have no issues after a good clean. Many of the issues we have with the XS carbs are caused by modifications or cheaping out on rebuilds.

The tranny issues only pertain IF yours decides to have a problem. The majority don't ever have the transmission problems. Even if yours does have a problem in this area, it's easier to fix on the XS than most other bikes on the road.

The brakes are standard for the era, and no different than any other make. Again, a good clean and your good to go, most of the time.

As Mr Bill said, soak the pistons in something, I use diesel mixed with a bit of ATF, but any good penetrant will work. Put a tablespoon or two in eash cylinder and let it sit. Overnight at least, longer if you can. then see if you can turn the motor over with a wrench as per Bill. You may find the tranny unlocks once you can turn the engine.


Then drain the old gas out, put a gallon of fresh gas with some Seafoam in it (mixed strong as per directions). and see if it will start. If it does (don't epect perfect idle at this point!) Then change the oil, to get the penetrant and all the other crud out.

If your good to this point, then it's just cleaning everything, and doing a good tuneup.

[Larrym]

No Heroics Necessary.....

But.. back to topic. I've started reading things all over the forum, I hear the carbs suck, the transmissions have issues, and the brakes can be funny. Well... someone please lead me in the right direction or give me input on this:

You've got the right mindset. Well...sort of. While these bikes were still serviceable at the dealer none of these issues that you mention were likely subjects of discussion. (A combination of low mileages on the bikes and the fact that the owners didn't usually get access to the guys who actually got their hands dirty...)

Now you've got access to the tales of those who do report what went wrong and how the problems were resolved by the people who own the toolbox. Plus the time frame is way past that "serviceable" limit the dealers set out.

Normal wear and tear takes its toll on any mechanical contraption. If one adds neglect, abuse, and incompetency on the part of the previous owners then any 30 year old machine is going to be more than just an "add fuel/fluids and GO."

Welcome to the "other side" of the sign which reads: "Authorized Personnel Only". It's a place where ordinary people do just fine and the end result is usually a fully functional superbike. (Patience, research, and grease under the the fingernails.....)

Do what you know you can do safely and then ask questions. The answers can be quite helpful.

[Larrym]

Rock-n-Roll

"My tranny seems stuck. The bike sat for probably a year and a half under a deck. Assembled... but under a deck. Can someone lead me in the right direction of getting the tranny loose so she can shift "

After you've removed the spark plugs, doused the cylinders with your penetrant/solvent of choice, and are waiting for the chemicals to do their work overnight....hop on the bike.

Pull in the clutch lever and rock the bike back and forth. There's some slack in the driveline which lets you move a little bit. Just go back and forth for a few minutes and the repeated shocks to the driveline might free up the clutch assembly. My first XS had a locked up engine and clutch. This technique did free up my clutch without having to go "internal" and afterwards I didn't have to address the clutch again.

It's not that the clutch broke free immediately though. I had to do the "rocking horse" for quite a few minutes for a couple of times. But the technique worked: no clutch disassembly required. 50/50 chance of it working.

(Also helps if you smile and laugh gleefully during the process. Makes people leave you alone so much more work gets done....)

[tarzan]

You can take the ignition switch,helmet lock,or gas cap to a lock smith.
There is a 4 digit number on top of each lock.That number is the key code for
that lock.I took two different locks in about a month ago and had both keys made for $20.So find a good lock smith with the books and he can do it for you.

[DGXSER]

Hey guys. I have what I believe is a 76? XS1100 that I got with a clean title for $50. It... WAS.. a complete bike minus carbs. Now its basically a frame with two wheels, I've torn off the frame guard, seat, tank, chopped the rear frame/fender combo off. (This is a bobber/chopper project... don't hate please, i'm not looking to go nuts, I just want it dirty looking on purpose lol.)

Yep, only made form 78-82 in the US (82 was XJ Maxim). Want it dirty, ride it in the rain!!!

But.. back to topic. I've started reading things all over the forum, I hear the carbs suck, the transmissions have issues, and the brakes can be funny. Well... someone please lead me in the right direction or give me input on this:

Teh carbs do suck...fuel from the float bowl that is. Actually, I think these are the easiest carbs I have EVER dealt with, not that any carb is not a torture session until you dial them in. Yep, trannies can have issues, but even I took a few apart and got them back together correctly, so it can't be that hard. The brakes are just brakes, clean them from the 30 year old gook the POs have left in there and they work great!!

Do carbs from other bikes in this era run on ours? I'm not looking to fabricate a manifold from scratch, simply get this bad boy up and running without spending an arm and a leg. I can't find any XS1100 carbs locally, affordably.

Best bet on most parts for these beast is to ask in the parts wanted forum and watch Ebay.

My tranny seems stuck. The bike sat for probably a year and a half under a deck. Assembled... but under a deck. Can someone lead me in the right direction of getting the tranny loose so she can shift and I can force start her to see if she cranks? I've heard to take off the tranny plate and remove/clean/grease the clutch components? I'm very mechanically capable, just new to this bike completely. I haven't had a bike since my last, which was a 425 Suzuki 1979.

Best ideas is look at the dremel repair for 2nd gear tech tip. By the time you get through all the steps to doing that repair, you should know about everything on these trannies intimately.

Carbs again... i'm scared I'm not going to find anything that works that isn't a complete pain in the ass.

Probably any you get wil need cleanign or they will not be to cheap. If the bike has a stock exhaust and the stock air box, then jetting them is pretty easy otherwise it can be a trial and error process for sure.

Also... clear title, in hand, but no key. Can someone tell me how I can force-jump this bike to see if she will at least kick over? I want to make sure she isn't locked up for good. I don't believe she is.

To check if the engine is locked up, you can pull the timing cover (round one on the left side) and put an allen wrench on that center bolt and turn the engine with it. I use a hex wrench socket with 3/8" drive and turn them over easily. If the tranny is locked it will keep the engine from turning as well with the clutch engaged, if the clutch seems stuck you can pull the clutch off and then try to turn the engine this way.

HTH

[Athedra]

Carbs again... i'm scared I'm not going to find anything that works that isn't a complete pain in the ass. Also... clear title, in hand, but no key. Can someone tell me how I can force-jump this bike to see if she will at least kick over? I want to make sure she isn't locked up for good. I don't believe she is.

Firstly, welcome, secondly, what they told you is a load of HA. The carbs are just sensitive, but once they are set right and no-one (including the owner) fidgit with it, they do not give you problems.

To start her without the key is actually very easy. Run a wire from your positive on the battery to your fusebox. Anywhere on your fuse box would do, but play around between your fuses until the lights on your clocks light up. then bridge out the two main points on your Starter relay. this will crank the motor. Would recommend first turning the motor with a spanner and try and get her out of gear before you try this. Having these beast start-up while on stand in gear is not as funny as it sounds, and usually ends up with a lot more damage to yourself than to your bike. (Speaking of experience here. Started her quickly by holding the clutch in, cable snapped, and I tried to keep her upright and steady.)

Something I have learned a long time ago. If you need information about a Porsche, go to Porsche or speak to people who own them. Don't go to BMW to get information about your Porsche. I have spoken to several people who want me to get rid of my XS. They all want me to get a busa (I hate the superbike look, and love watching them stretch their legs when they get of their busa's after a long trip. When I get of bones, it feels as if I just got on her. I love my XS so much that my KTM and GPZ hasn't seen tar for about three months now, and wouldn't get rid of my XS soon.

Since you have so many wise people telling you interesting stuff about a bike they don't own, let me tell you something interesting about your bike, and I own one. In 1978 the Japanese made the first road worthy super bike, and was named the XS1100. The XS1100 was the one of the first roadworthy super bikes to hit the market. It punches 95HP and does 0 to 100kph in 5 seconds. (0 - 70mph in 4.7 seconds). I still kick butt with my XS even with the 750FD conversion. Oh and that is with the bad carbs and things you mentioned in your post

So in short, look after her, and she will look after you.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Trix,

Man these guys can be LONG WINDED can't they?

Some good advice to start with though huh?

No worries man! You just dig in.

If you get stuck just holler. We'll be here.


Oh yea----Welcome to the asylum.

[TomRodgers]

Having these beast start-up while on stand in gear is not as funny as it sounds, and usually ends up with a lot more damage to yourself than to your bike. (Speaking of experience here. Started her quickly by holding the clutch in, cable snapped, and I tried to keep her upright and steady.)

This sounds like a good "Stooges" clip....

Had a similar fupah with an old Ford garden tractor. got the beast started, and the clutch/brake spring sprung, and the b!tch shot off (throttle was about 3/4 of the way open to 'clear its throat') i flipped off the back of the tractor, hit my head on the hitch, damn thing deflected off the side of my truck, over the mailbox, phone box, and finally stopped when it hit the concrete steps going to my front door.... 10 stiches to my head, new door panel/paint for the truck, new mailbox and post, sincere "i dont know what the hell happened" to the phone company, and a barage of WTF's from SWMBO...not a good day to say the least...

dont hesitate to ask questions here. Lord knows I dont!!! With the age and ever increasing difficulty finding good parts, definately stay away from the old saying.."if it doesnt fit, hit it harder, if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway."

never tore into a bike as old as myself, and the folks here are VERY helpful, sometimes sarcastic, but always friendly!!!

[Athedra]

Yep, so as you can see, having something start-up in gear is not as funny as it sounds. Apart from the swearing happening trying to control the situation, and the fact that your brain seems to freeze at that point in time, there is nothing much you can do but wait for it to fall over and test your cut-out switch. Don't bother about the top tank seal test, they don't seal when on the ground. The cut-out switch on mine works. Tested and still has the scar and the marks on the wall to prove it. Would have added the marks in my undies as well, but those been washed out the same day.