XS11 transmission

[matt@mbdetail]

Sirs;

I am looking into buying for cheap a (he tells me its a '77 ?) XS1100. Low miles in nice shape.
He was riding it real slow (2-3rd gear?) with his son on the back and he heard a noise coming from the tranny. the after about 100 yards the back tire locked up. Any ideas where to start? are they known problems like this?
How do I trouble shoot this? tranny mid or final?
I have rebuilt a few bikes that i have bought in a box. And am very interested in getting this one on the road again. Any help would be appreciated.
Matt

[motoman]

First, read all you can on here, get a manual or download off this site, check middle drive for oil and its level, if there's any in it. That would be my first suspect. Also, it has to be a 78-81 to be an XS1100.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Matt,

How LOCKED up was the rear wheel?? Could he put the bike into neutral and still roll it, or would the rear wheel not even roll with the clutch pulled in??

If it's totally locked up, first, check to make sure that the rear brake isn't locked up, crack the hose fitting or bleed valve to release pressure in case the spooge hole got clogged up, and it's locking the rear brake up.

As has been stated, the middle drive is known for locking up if let run low or out of the hypoid gear oil it needs. They are not easy to repair, but can get replacements to swap out easily.

T.C.

[CatatonicBug]

If you need a manual, you can download one from the link in my signature.

[matt@mbdetail]

XS11 trans

The guy told me he was just down the street from his house so he towed it home with a 4 wheeler. He took the clutch out of the bike and it still doesn't roll. Must be mid or final drive?? He says (before he pulled the clutch) the engine would still run... so i assume it shifts into neutral and must be something after the output shaft. thanks for the help....and thanks for the manuals .. I got them all. I am going to go get the bike later today...

[CatatonicBug]

Look through the tech tips and especially at the stuff about the 2nd gear fix. That's a common issue on these bikes, but the pictures detail the insides of the tranny. Though the tech tip tells you to, you don't have to flip the bike upside down if you don't want to.

The middle drive is pretty simple to remove, and the final drive should be removed and lubed each time the rear tire is changed anyway, so do it now and be sure to grease the splines. Good luck with the bike, and be sure to take some pictures! We like to see the machines we're talking about.

[matt@mbdetail]

XS11 Tranny

Well guys i got the beast home today. I also talked to the guy more. he says he thinks its in first gear and it will not shift out of first gear. There is decent backlash at the back wheel, there is NONE at the clutch shaft. The middle drive is also dry. Looks like i am going into that tranny...and taking the drive off....

[bikerphil]

Matt, just to let you know in case you don't: The service manuals state that the case halves must be split to do any service to the transmission. To work on the primary shaft, this is true. Nine times out of ten, your gear problems are with the gears on the countershaft, which can be removed thru the oil pan. Shift forks can also be removed thru the bottom. Good luck!

[trbig]

I wouldn't plan on going into the tranny yet. Replacing a locked up middle drive may get you back on the road. Unless you can turn the gears slightly, you won't be able to shift into other gears even if everything is good.


Tod

[motoman]

Unfortunately, I'm with Trbig, no oil in middle drive, seized up, ouch! Would be the first placed to tackle as I previously said along with Trbig's input. Easy R&R and may get it back rollin' again for you.