Phil's (not quite) Excellent Venturer

[MaximPhil]

I should have started this thread months ago. This is the story of my 1981 XS1100 H Venturer Trans Canada. I purchased it at the end of May 2009.
The fun began with having to collect from eastern Ontario. This involved the first of many friends stepping in to help. When I asked my friend Ross if I could borrow his trailer to collect the bike he not only agreed but also offered his Yukon to tow it with.
HamJam volunteered for the road trip of nearly 600km.
Big Daddy Funk offered a spot in his driveway for the clean up and to advise on it's condition.

More to follow
Phil

[tarzan]

Where's the pics Phil?

So that must be a full touring bike right?

[tinman905]

Hey Phil did you take a few pictures before the work started. It will be nice to see when it's back together . That's one hell of an oil cooler you have on it .

[MaximPhil]

The Bad news

Aside from the obvious missing items like mirrors battery and air filter the bike looked complete. I had expected to have to replace tires and battery any way so although covered in a film of dirt iit looked like a good wash and polish would be well on it's way to running order. Ripplled paint on the tank not cosmetically good but functional.
Oh but it is never that easy is it? Rick did a thorough inspection and reported the electrical to be in pretty good shape. This is good as electricity is still PFM to me By the time of my next visit Rick had cleaned all the connections. He had also discovered that one of the Spark Plug holes had stripped threads. Compression test was also questionable.
Fork Seals are leaking and carbs are in need of another clean.
First it has to go before we worry about the brakes
All for to night
Phil

[fredintoon]

- - - - - First it has to go before we worry about the brakes
All for to night
Phil

Hi Phil,
NO! NO! NO! FIX THE BRAKES FIRST OR YOU'RE GONNA DIE!!!

[Big Daddy Funk]

Just don't damage the Fairing....

Hi Phil,
NO! NO! NO! FIX THE BRAKES FIRST OR YOU'RE GONNA DIE!!!

" Second Hand Lions" comes to mind.
Rick

[MaximPhil]

Hi Phil,
NO! NO! NO! FIX THE BRAKES FIRST OR YOU'RE GONNA DIE!!!

OOPS I think I have upset Fred I only meant no point in fixing the brakes until we have the engine running not that I would ride it down the road without good brakes

Phil

[MaximPhil]

Hey Rick jump in any time. I am just trying to get up to date with all that has gone on so far.

[Big Daddy Funk]

BDF ..."The Heartbreaker"

Maybe tomorrow, stay tuned and watch me break Phils heart when he sees the full list.
Rick

[tinman905]

Can we hear drum roll first Rick, make sure Phil is sitting down

[Big Daddy Funk]

You can hear MaximPhil crying from here

Okay, here we go:
The Good
This bike is a very rare bird. I certainly have not seen one before. It is a 1981 XS1100H standard model with the factory Venturer package, Canadian edition. It is relatively complete and original. Certainly a bike worth saving. Plastic is in good condition.
Electrical not too bad, cleaned up all the connections. Electronics yet untested.
Carbs removed, triple cleaned and adjusted. Two floats had holes in them from rubbing on incorrect float bowls. We still need two bowls.
Head had two bent exhaust valves due to improper shims. Proper shims donated by Tinman905 and exhaust valves donated by Blue Giant. Thx Guys. Used but serviceable valve springs donated by BDF. New valve seals installed
We replaced the timing chain as it had no adjustment room left. Stripped spark plug hole repair donated by Prong Built.

The Bad
Oil pan drain bolt female threads broken off. Pan had lots of sparkley bits inside, likely from trans. Oil pan donation BDF.
Clutches and transmission unchecked(my guess is both will need work)
Steering head bearings and races need changing Every other bearing on the bike needs to be checked, cleaned and repacked.
Fork seals need changing.
Rotors need to be cleaned up and checked as do pads, calipers and masters and fluid changed.
Middle drive and final drive oil change.
Needs Tires, mirrors, battery, fuel, oil and air filters, and mufflers
Exhaust pipes were welded with extensions, used stock pipes donated by BDF

The Ugly
This bike will require some serious cleaning and polishing time. I'm sure if it was detailed out it would look spectacular. The rider will probably need considerably more work to be merely presentable, But that's not my department.
The goal is for Phil to bring it to XS East and XS North.

If anyone would like to donate or give Phil a most excellent price on any of the stuff he needs, It would be greatly appreciated. There's a very tight budget on this one. I'm sure he'd let you take it for a ride when it's done.
I think we all would like to see a bike this rare saved, And it's time Phil started wearing long pants and riding a big boy bike. A full face helmet and non colour clashing riding gear would help the ugly part a lot too.
Thx Rick

[fredintoon]

OOPS I think I have upset Fred I only meant no point in fixing the brakes until we have the engine running not that I would ride it down the road without good brakes Phil

Hi Phil,
the big red italics caught your eye, then?
Not upset at all, just concerned for your safety.
What I reckon is, once the bike is running you will yield to temptation and go try it.
You know you will.
Best that the brakes work when you do.

[blue giant]

I believe this is Phil's Venture,

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22236

[fredintoon]

I believe this is Phil's Venture,

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22236

Hi Paul,
do you mean "a similar bike" or do you mean "the identical machine"?
If the latter, the seller's description does not quite match Phil's tale of woe, eh?

[blue giant]

Fred,
I believe that is indeed the bike Phil bought from Jim.