i need help with carb sync

[OLY-XSer]

Im new to the xs11, i bought a 80 xs11sg, the PO let the bike sit for about 3 years. i have changed the fluids, new tires, ect. the pipes running out of 3 and 4 seem to be running too hot. i guess those two carbs are running lean. the other side might be running a little rich because the spark plugs on 1 and 2 smell like gas a little. spark plugs on 3 and 4 also look like they are running hot. i could take this down to the local Yamaha shop so they can fix it, but what i would rather do is to pay somebody local to sync the carbs, and show me how to do right. thanks for any help.

[natemoen]

I dont know if a yamaha dealer would know how to work of this bike. They really arent that bright.

[XS1100 Newbie]

I would throw some new plugs in it as well. Somewhere on here there is a rundown on things that need to be done to our bikes when they have been sitting. I would very much recomend looking at the tech tips. Go through the front and rear master cylinders, and the calipers. The brakes are usually a problem after sitting. Also after that long the carbs should be cleaned. At the Yamaha shop, unless they have someone that has been working on the bikes since the 1970's, you can just about bet that no one knows the proper way to work on these. I believe there are a few other XS11ers that live in that area. I'll do some looking, but go to the tech sections.
Bob

[scooteraddict]

i wouldnt trust the monkeys at any yamaha shop to work on anything
with the scooters and other toys i own all i hear about is how factory service centers charge and arm and a leg like 90+ an hour and when you get it back it worse then before

if you are going to have some one work on it look around and talk to the guys at the bike shop and look at what they ride and what they have done to there bikes

i prefer the mom and pop type shops the head mechanic may not be certified but they normaly have been working on bikes there whole life nad can fix just about anything

[yamtom]

scootera and others are right

Hi,

Be sure to put all your bike info and mods into your signature so we know where you are starting from before we advise you.

From the horror stories Ive heard of yam shops on the list, be very wary of letting a dealer do the work. Its best to find someone very familiar with your model. It sounds by your request that you may have bought the bike hopeing not to have to wrench it, thats not at all likely to work.

READ and search this list extensively for info regarding getting a stored bike running. The above writers are right, brakes, wiring, carbs, tire age. timeing wires fix and wheel bearings and all lubes should be addressed before using the bike seriously.

[OLY-XSer]

carb sync

thanks for the advice. I do expect to wrench on the bike, its just that i have never messed with carbs really before. i am going to buy some gauges today. i have been reading the tech tips, and i have downloaded a couple of service manuals. i do plan on pulling off the carbs to clean. Im just debateing on if i should go ahead and re-jet the carbs at the same time. i was planning on puting pods on the carbs this summer, and its my understanding that you need to re-jet when you do that. But i just put a new stock type air filter in, so i dont know what im going to do yet. the bike is stock but the mufflers. im using the stock headers with jc whitney mufflers. They work. thanks for the help guys.
Shane

[latexeses]

OLY-XSer,

Welcome to the forum!

This link would be a good place to start...

http://www.xs11.com/faqs/16-what-to-...ed-xs1100.html

It sound like you are going to have to pull the carbs and give them a through cleaning. Be sure and keep all of the parts with the carb they came from. There is plenty of information behind that "search" button on carb cleaning as well. Don't soak the carb bodies in carburator cleaner. That will hurt the seals on the butterfly shaft. No need to remove that shaft either.

Why do you want to rejet the carbs? A good cleaning should have them running up to snuff. Just look for worn parts and replace with like parts. Yamaha did a pretty good job getting it right.

Also the search button at the top of the Forum page is a mighty handy place to go if you get stuck or just need some different information.

There are very few things that that these bike do that hasn't been cussed and discussed.

Taking your bike to a dealership is just the fastest way to waste your money. There are very few people out there (outside this group here) who has worked on any of these bikes. Odds are you will wind up with a bigger problem than you had when you started.

Get hold af a munual for you bike. Sit down and search the forum for some information and roll up your sleeves.

You might want to include your location in your signature line. You might have someone living not too far away who might be able to coach.

Go slow, be thorough.

[blade]

Hi OLY-XSer

You will be into the carbs more than once to clean them anyway. As they say here it usually takes at least three times to get them clean. I know from experience.
Don't worry about getting into the carbs, just follow the tech tips and take your time.
Don't forget the emulsion tubes, again, I know from experience.

[blade]

"Taking your bike to a dealership is just the fastest way to waste your money. There are very few people out there (outside this group here) who has worked on any of these bikes. Odds are you will wind up with a bigger problem than you had when you started."



I wasted hundreds of dollars years ago with terrible results.
I agree, don't take it to a dealership. And don't expect non dealer bike repair shops to do any better either, unless you talk to them and find out what experience they have with these bikes.
The information here is endless and the people are friendly and willing to help you get your bike running.

[crazy steve]

Shane, I'm semi-local to you (Yelm area), so if you want some assistance with the carbs let me know. I just got through going through mine.

And don't waste your time at the dealer; jeez, I bought mine new locally, and they didn't know how to work on it then...

'78E original owner