Restriction

[irishman]

Hi Guys, My son has decided he wants to ride my XS1100, I am considering that very carefully, but I would also like to fit a power restrictor, any ideas as to the best types available for a 1980 XS1100 MIDNIGHT SPECIAL ?

[dbeardslee]

You could always remove two of the plug wires . Seriously though, unless he's an experienced rider, you might want to rethink it. I don't know anybody who gets out on one of these without twisting the throttle, and at 562 pounds and brakes that aren't up to the weight, you can get in real trouble, real fast.

[brcree]

to fast

Just tell him to remember....it can go real bad....real fast!!!!!!!

[dbeardslee]

Geeze am I slow...

First off, welcome to Ch11 (forgot my manners before ). I think you're the first member I've seen from the Emerald Isle. You might be able to rig a stop on the throttle where the cable attaches to the carbs. You might be able to keep the rpms down, at least. Still, they're stump pullers, and if you put him on it you better hope he's got the luck o' the Irish . Erin go bragh!

[ambidextrous]

im not sure if this is a very good first bike

this was my first bike ive owned, but had ridden many over the years, so i knew to take it slow at first

pretty heavy and a lot of power with not the best brakes is something that takes a little to get used to

if you have a bike and can go out with him to 'show him the ropes', that might get him used to it quicker

[bikerphil]

Only way I can think of to limit it would be to alter the centrifugal timing advance. Wire it closed so it can't expand with increased engine RPM's. The engine can't reach it's full horsepower that way.

[Ivan]

The advance trick might knock off 10% of the horse power, and won't limit the low end torque much at all, which is where the XS really snorts.

I would suggest a throttle cable that has a longer core cable. This would limit throttle opening. Maybe a stop would be better, that would aid in adjustability.

Also, pulling two of the plug wires still lets the carbs put fuel to the cylinders and that unburned fuel would end up in the mufflers causing backfires and possibly in an extreme circumstance a ruptured exhaust. If I were going to inhibit two cylinders, I would stick a ball bearing in the hose at the fuel T that is big enough to stop fuel flow, then plug the hose back on. Harder to see than a dangling plug wire as well.

[dbeardslee]

You might be able to take a small plastic tubing splicer, cut it to length and split it down one side and snap it over the throttle cable such that the throttle cable can't be fully withdrawn into the sheath, and put a little duct tape around it to keep it in place. Just don't let him see you do it or it will be the first thing he removes .

[Crazcnuk]

If you don't trust him, on the XS, just say no.

Make it a father/son project to go find a more appropriate starter bike. Work out some mutually agreeable purchase options.

Just think how you would feel if it went wrong....

My parents bought me my first street bike, for my 16th birthday. They had seen me on my little 90cc dirt bike, and a few others. They KNEW how I rode.

The wouldn't even consider one for my little brother. He's wild.

So I gave him one of mine.... (TS250 dirt bike) He's had dirt bikes ever since, but only 2 street bikes, an RD400 and a CM250.

[WMarshy]

I guess the first question should be, how much experience does he have on 2 wheels? Second, how old is he? Any experience on two wheels helps but, as you know these bikes are at a different level than most others. I think an escorted ride would probably be the best idea if your comfortable with his riding skills but not so confident in his decision making skills. Definitely set some ground rules though, cant go wrong there.

[Brad]

My first street bike was a 1981 1100 Midnight Special, got it when I was 18, in 1988. I Lived.

[Brad]

...put a little duct tape around it to keep it in place. Just don't let him see you do it or it will be the first thing he removes .

If he's old enough to want to ride the xs, he might be having sex too... Just don't duct tape it, use saran wrap. The confidence on letting a teen become and think they are becoming a man is the thanks they give when they become a man. How would you feel if your dad had a corvette and never let you drive it?

[dbeardslee]

Spoken like a child. Men buy their own bikes .

[fredintoon]

Not if his last bike was a BSA Bantam

Hi Guys, My son has decided he wants to ride my XS1100, I am considering that very carefully, but I would also like to fit a power restrictor, any ideas as to the best types available for a 1980 XS1100 MIDNIGHT SPECIAL ?

Hi Martin and welcome,
You could install a set of perhaps 1/8" thick carb manifold to head gaskets that have smaller holes through them?
But I don't think restricting the bike's power will get the result you hope for.
Even with the power strangled back to (say) 60 hp I'd say it's still too massive and top-heavy a bike for a beginner to be safe on.
Does Eire have a graduated licence program like the UK?
Even so, moving up from the largest bike allowed for a beginner to an XS11 is perhaps too much for a single step.
You don't say, how old is the lad, what has he been riding and how far?

[psycoreefer]

If you don't trust him, on the XS, just say no.

Make it a father/son project to go find a more appropriate starter bike. Work out some mutually agreeable purchase options.

Just think how you would feel if it went wrong....

+1, you know your son better then any of us, if you don't feel like hes responsible enough to handle the bike, then don't let him ride it. Find something more appropriate, and let him step up when he's ready.