New to XS11, repair questions

[CodyLane]

I recently picked up a 78 XS11 from a guy in San Diego for $750. Has about 35k miles on it and it's not in terrible shape. After putting a new battery in it starts reliably and seems to run well minus a bit of valve clatter. I've been riding it consistently and haven't had any major problems until today. The bike would occasionally pop out of first gear and make that awful grinding noise if I was heavy on the throttle. Now, practically overnight, it wants to pop out of first all the time. I'm not really sure where to start on figuring out the problem. Any good tips? Anybody else ever fix this same problem? Also the front brake is a little grabby which makes backing it up a pain. Any info is helpful info.

[Ivan]

Check the tech tips for the second (and first) gear dremel fix. Not too bad a job if you have basic mechanical skills.

[DGXSER]

Hey Cody, wlecome to XS11. This is an amazingly helpful place full of very knowledgeable folks and great info. I suggest you take some time and read through all the tech tips and FAQs as well. It will help you out tremendously for future maintenance and repairs.

Like Ivan stated, this is the typical 1st/2nd gear issue that plagues ALOT of XS11 bikes. The tech tip on doing that dremel fix is VERY comprehensive and an excellent walkthrough step by step. And, if you have any questions or problems along the way, the group here is incredible for having any answer you may need, and a bit of a moral boost when you need it to. This was the first major repair I had to do to my XS11 when I got it and it scared the bejesus out of me. Since then, I have done it two more times and now I can almost do it without looking at the tech tips.

As for the brakes, check out your "spooge" hole in the Master Cylinder, again this is in the tech tips. Or you may need to just go through the calipers and the MC for a good cleaning. Again, it is not that hard to do, not alot of parts. And plenty of good guidance here if you run into any issues.

Hope That Helps (HTH)

[mro]

seems to run well minus a bit of valve clatter

May just be the normal racket from the top end,
altho if you have not set the cam chain tensioner that might be a good idea and only takes a couple minuets.

Bummer about the gear, but cost is little except for the time it takes.

If you don't know if the PO maintained the bike properly you should read thru the tech tips. The XS is a pretty dependable ride if all the maintenance is done and electrical is clean.

mro
BTW, I know a few guys who put off the gear fix for awhile.
They had no problems just starting out in second.

BTW2, welcome to CH 11, got any pics of your bike?

[CodyLane]

Thanks for all the pointers. I'm really pleased with how many people contribute to this website and it's forums. All the tech tips I've read through have been very helpful. I'm going to try and tackle this transmission problem soon. I've never worked on a transmission before and I'm a little nervous. Luckily I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I think it will work out fine. I'm trying to figure out how to post pictures but the information I found for doing so was not very helpful. Perhaps I'm just being dense. Thanks again everyone.

Just noticed at the bottom of the page that it says I MAY NOT post attachments. What's the deal with that? I just painted my bike and want to get a little feedback. Pshhhh.

[draketrumpet]

Hi Cody,

Welcome to Ch11. The best play to be for all of your XSive questions to get answered. Check out this part of the forum to figure out how to use the forum best. There's a thread at the top concerning posting pictures.

Looking forward to seeing your bike!

[CodyLane]

[CodyLane]

Looks like I just needed to use the IMG coding. There you have it, my XS11 with a new Black Widow paint job. Mayhap I'll add some spiderwebs soon.

[mro]

I don't know dude ... When I was a kid I used to "park" my Harley in the living room, never where it might impede access to the fridge

Rattle can



(80 G, currently under going major surgery )


mro

[freak_leg]

May just be the normal racket from the top end,
altho if you have not set the cam chain tensioner that might be a good idea and only takes a couple minuets.

For god's sake make sure you follow the manual / tech tips for this to the last detail! or you will be hunting ebay for a new head / valves! Yes I just finished this project myself a few weeks ago

[DGXSER]

Yep, only do the cam chain tensioner adjustment with the bike on the centerstand (note that is NOT the SIDESTAND!!) on fairly level ground!!

And do follow the tech tips on the process. Done wrong this is the most common method to find yourself replacing bent valves as stated.

[fredintoon]

Another Frankenbike?

Looks like I just needed to use the IMG coding. There you have it, my XS11 with a new Black Widow paint job. Mayhap I'll add some spiderwebs soon.

Hi Cody,
if your bike is a '78 it has to be a Standard because the first Special was a '79.
BUT
Although the photo shows the big gas tank, rectangular gauges and rectangular headlight that's right for a Standard;
the slotted brake rotors and axle-on-the-front forks with the Weird Harold brake calipers are from an '80 or newer Special.
What you should check is, which triple trees you have.
Standard 'trees + Special forks reduces the steering trail.
Which is great to reduce steering effort on a sidecar rig but can make the solo ride a mite skittish.

[mro]

pretty good observation there Fred

What you should check is, which triple trees you have.

Note that the bike has the "one piece handle bar holder" which happens to fit standards only so he's got standard triple trees and most likely 81 special forks. The timing cover... which was used in 81.

mro

[fredintoon]

Note that the bike has the "one piece handle bar holder" which happens to fit standards only so he's got standard triple trees and most likely 81 special forks. The timing cover... which was used in 81.

mro

Hi mro,
what with my elderly eyesight and the blurry photo I didn't notice the one-piece bar clamp and I can't see if the bike has square or round front signals either.
Thing is, I swapped Standard 'trees into my Special on purpose to lighten the steering for sidecar use.
I have mentioned that this modification would also alter a bike's solo ride but I do wonder how radical the change would be.
Cody, a ride report please?

[bikerphil]

I do wonder how radical the change would be.

I've tried Special forks in Standard trees for a while. It's fine 'till you hit the highway, then the bike is all over the place. Feel's like it wants to tank slap.