Next Engine, please

[bikerphil]

Cnuk, you have the worst luck with these bikes, where do you find them, or do you just beat them to hell?

[Crazcnuk]

I rescue them from back alleys.

Not going to anymore.

[xs11lover]

I didn't take the time to read the thread, just wanted you to know I have a xtra 78 motor out in the garage, It ran nice, but was leaking some oil at the valve cover.

[crazy steve]

Not trying to upset anyone here, but sometimes certain people just don't have any luck with a particular model/brand of vehicle. No good reason for it, it's just karma or whatever. And a saying I've seen elsewhere (and have come to believe) seems to be generally operative here...

Fast Cheap Reliable

Pick two...

Good luck Cnuk...

'78E original owner

[mstic2000]

What I don't understand is why the 'knock' would start now, after 4 years, if it was a detonation problem.

On the upside I finally got rid of most of the noises the fairing used to make, maybe this is just what the XS sounds like!

I was hearing a similar rattling noise as you described at those rpms under load the last couple months on mine. I just removed the vetter fairing from mine for the summer and the noise is gone. The fairing seems to amplify all kinds of engine noises. I didn't hear the noise before the fairing either. It only has 18k on it and plenty of power. JAT

[Crazcnuk]

I think you are confusing the 'normal' types of noises that people new to bikes might not know, and noises that people with over 30 years of both driving and mechanical experience can't identify.

This noise drowned out ALL other noises. Other motorcycles wouldn't ride near me, and even people in cars could hear it.

No one said anything about the entire line of XS's. If you have followed any of the posts on JD, you will know that I have said THIS bike is cursed for the last 4 yrs.

I could go and buy a completely reliable XS today, from Derwat, but If I am going to pay $2500 for a bike, I am not going to buy one that's 30yrs old.

[mstic2000]

OUCH! I apologize if I offended in any way, shape, or form. I only have 28yrs riding experience. Someday I hope I can say I have over 30 yrs riding experience. Then maybe I might just know something.

[Geezer]

It must be a luck of the draw thing. I've had a few XS11's and all of them have had rock solid engines. In all my years turning wrenches I don't recall anything really major going wrong with an XS11.

Geezer

[Crazcnuk]

Heh no offense taken, just pointing out that I have pretty much covered all the 'normal' sort of scenarios.

I still think it sounded like detonation, I just don't know WHY it started, all of a sudden.

The original engine had a turned rod bearing long before I got it. This engine has died of causes 'unknown'. I knew there was a chance it was not going to survive the trip, but that was the point.

If it was just going to remain 'annoying' but stable, no problem. I couldn't take it anywhere unless I knew it wasn't going to hand-grenade, which it did.

I don't have the resources to take it apart every time it decides it wants attention, so I had to go at it the easy way.

All I am saying is that I need to have a solid, reliable, daily driver that needs no attention, so that I am not 'stuck' while working on the project. It could be an XS1100 or other. Currently I am looking at '95 or newer ST1100s. In order to do this, I need to sell off all my unneeded assets.

I will try and get the 78 fully operational, now that I have some parts to use to test, as I didn't want to 'steal' them off of JD until I knew it was beyond hope.

It has all the upgrades, which will bolt right onto the 78, and we will see how it goes. Later I may come back to JD and see if she can resurrected.

[MindWebs]

you want a bike that easy?

try a 250 ninja.

i ran the wheels off mine with little to no problems.

engine just got weaker and weaker till i couldn't drive it.
(yes i adjusted the valves once)

so at 18,000 miles i paid $350 for an engine with 3000miles on it.

and away we go again. good as new.

all i ever did was change oil, clean air filter and adjust the drive chain.
and put new tires on.

i am inclined to agree with crazy steve:
Not trying to upset anyone here, but sometimes certain people just don't have any luck with a particular model/brand of vehicle. No good reason for it, it's just karma or whatever. And a saying I've seen elsewhere (and have come to believe) seems to be generally operative here...

i have had very poor luck with my 11 as well.

maybe it is a Karma thing and i just wasn't meant to run a bigbore bike.

i don't seem to have this many issues with my 250's.

god help us poor fools and stray dogs.