Low compression and low power, cheapest fix?

[BossMaverick]

My XS needs help. When I first got the bike a year and a half ago I felt it had awesome power. Then I noticed how it used oil. Then as the time went by I realized more and more that while it has good power, it's not like what everyone here talks about. In addition to the lack of power, a quart of oil gets blown out the former airbox vent hose for every 500 miles or less (I plugged the airbox and extended the engine's vent hose to the ground). I finally did a compression check after my valve adjustment last summer and found it was very low in two or three cylinders (I can't find my exact numbers now). I told myself I would save money for a big bore kit and tackle the project this winter.

It's winter now and I need to tackle the problem before riding season. The only problem is I spent my money on a elk hunting trip and other more needed things that came up (like trying to save for a replacement car). I am searching for the cheapest option to fix my bike.

So, what are my cheapest options? Can I get custom rings made anywhere so I can rering it? Is it hard to take out and take apart these engines to replace the rings? Does anyone have a spare good engine they would sell for cheap? Can I even find a good used engine for cheap?

I really like my bike but I don't know what to do. Everyone (except crotch rocket riders) keeps telling me that the XS1100's were so quick and how it is faster then their current such and such bike. I just bite my lip knowing that my bike would have no hope with it's lack of power. I just want it to have the power it is supposed to and not have to carry 2+ extra quarts of oil with me for long road trips.

Any advice/words of encouragement woud be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Hey BossMavrick,

Always glad to hear from another fellow Montanan. I was born and raised there and moved to Tulsa from Billings 14 years ago.

Sorry to hear of your problem. I know the economy sucks in MT real bad right about now, I have 2 grown sons and a sister that still live there.

It sounds to me like you have some stuck or broken rings. Unfortunatly the only way to find out/repair is tear down the top end.

Contact andreas at http://www.xs11.com/forum/member.php?u=42 if you decide to replace the engine. He's trustworthy and is located north of Spokane so it wouldn't be too far to drive for pick up.

Good luck and stay in touch.

[trbig]

Usually, you can pick up a whole bike cheaper than you can buy just an engine.

It sounds to me like the motor is a little too tired to be freshened up by just a ring job, but there's no way to tell without checking out the head and mic'ing the cylinder walls.

If you've ever been into one of these motors before, a person would probably say it's pretty easy. The first time... not so much.. lol. You'd be better off finding someone around you who has done it and have them be around while you dig in.

A straight motor swap is probably going to be your easiest cheapest option though.

Tod

[boediddly]

before you go and tear anything apart do a valve job or have your local tech do one when a bike comes into a shop and the compression is low a good tech will check the valve clearance before he starts tearing the motor down it might not fix the problem (or it might) but if it does, you sure saved yourself a lot of money and hassle

[XSokieSPECIAL]

before you go and tear anything apart do a valve job or have your local tech do one when a bike comes into a shop and the compression is low a good tech will check the valve clearance before he starts tearing the motor down it might not fix the problem (or it might) but if it does, you sure saved yourself a lot of money and hassle

I don't think that would do anything for the blowby or oil consumption problems boediddly.

Where exactly is ohio, indiana on the map?

[MaximPhil]

I don't think that would do anything for the blowby or oil consumption problems boediddly.

Where exactly is ohio, indiana on the map?

Hi Greg,
According to Google it is west of Cincinatti and South Of Indianapolis but it looks to be a field so must be very small.
Phil

[Ken Talbot]

Before you tear into it, try a few searches here for information on performing a leakdown
test. It will point you in the right direction and could save a bit f money. This next article also gives a good dialog on don07tncav's experience with a similar situation.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Hi Greg,
According to Google it is west of Cincinatti and South Of Indianapolis but it looks to be a field so must be very small.
Phil

Yup, it looks to be a fence line between two farm houses right off of I64.

A quiet place to live.

[BossMaverick]

How much are leakdown testers and do I need a compressor? The reason I asked is that it's the middle of winter and I'd have to load the bike in the pickup to take it to town if I need a compressor.

I thought that since my oil is being lost through the breather that it meant the rings were bad, but you guys are saying that it still could be the valves/valve seals? I would be very happy if that was the case.

Valve clearance is correct by the way. I checked the compression soon after adjusting the valves.

[motorhead]

If motor is losing oil out breather, It probably is rings or scored cylinder/s creating too much crankcase pressure.Is it possible it was running too lean .Leakdown test is in order.

[motorhead]

Just re-read your last post .Just check compression .Usually if there is a problem in a cylinder ,the compression will be way off from the others.How do the plugs look ?

[DGXSER]

Geez Ken, been waiting since 2004 for the "more to come" part!!!

[BossMaverick]

Plugs has always looked ok like it doesn't have an oil problem, haven't had one foul out yet. Like I said, I don't have my compression test numbers anymore but I remember one being very low (way below spec), two being low (below spec), and one being acceptable (at the low end of the spec range).

[motorhead]

The low ones are screwed .You will probably need cylinder work .AS you get it back up and running ,make sure of your entire fuel system.Tank to carbs .If you run lean you can damage a motor

[red bandit]

If it turns out to need rings/cylinders you can find a pistons/rings and cyliinders set that came from a running bike on e-bay. With patients you can get them cheap. Less than $50 shipped.