Looking for an engine in Ohio

[kek]

Let me first say that i am new to this site and am so glad i found it. There are a lot of great ideas that i have seen to improve my ride(79' xs). But i am looking for an engine (mine knocks) and hope that maybe one of you may know of a place around Ohio. My bike was given to me by my father and if i have to, i will just try my hand at rebuilding the engine myself. Any feedback would be greatfull.

[natemoen]

Welcome to the board! There is a lot of useful info and helpful advice here from everyone. There are a few guys on here I know that sort of deal with parts and sell stuff to people. For now you best bet would be to check the for sale forums. Bike for sale (may have parts bikes) http://www.xs11.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=70 and then the parts for sale http://www.xs11.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=71 there is also the Wanted to buy forum http://www.xs11.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=72 Check those out. There is also ebay. things sometimes get way overpriced on there but every now and then you can get things at a reasonable price!

Also rebuilding the engine wouldnt be that tough if you have the time and the desire to do it. Who knows maybe if you post a good description of what is happening someone might be able to help you figure out what is happening and get it fixed without having to rebuild!

Good luck!

[kek]

Thanks for the insight natemoem, could prove to be helpfull. I am sure that the bottom end is in need of bearings. You see my father owned this bike and the carbs were leaking gas into the top end, but was still ridding it. When he finally adressed the issue,there was alot of gas mixed in with the oil. He had the carbs rebuilt and chaged the oil, thats when it started tapping in the bottom. Now every time i start the bike it seems to get louder. So i guess the real question is engine swap, rebuild the original, or am i missing somthing i should try or check first?

[DGXSER]

Hello KeK,

Welcome to XS11.com. We have a group of XS owners in the Cincinnati area. We have more folks in the upper Ohio area as well.

Hard to say on the engine, keep an eye out and you can find one. Depending on what yours needs, I may have some parts from a fine runner I had that could help.

Is the knock in the upper engine or lower region?

[kek]

The knock or tapping at this point is in the bottom end, from the left side. When i pulled the timming cover i could hear it even better. Is there somthing else i should check? Thought about using some restore an engine additive, but am not sure if it would effect the transmission. Any thoughts on the subject would be greatfull. I am in central Ohio just north of Columbus.

[natemoen]

The knock or tapping at this point is in the bottom end, from the left side. When i pulled the timming cover i could hear it even better. Is there somthing else i should check? Thought about using some restore an engine additive, but am not sure if it would effect the transmission. Any thoughts on the subject would be greatfull. I am in central Ohio just north of Columbus.

I would say stay away from the engine additives because of the wet clutch, but I could be wrong maybe someone has used something and didnt have a problem.

Have you checked your timing to see that it is correct? could be something to look at.

[DGXSER]

Does it make the noise whenever the engine runs, only when in gear? I do not thienk I would use that restore stuff on these engines as the tranny is part of the engine.

Thinking if it is crank and rod bearings or if it is tranny oriented.

[bikerphil]

If you are using oil thinner than 20W50, you might get a bearing knock. I had a similar problem with a bad crank bearing, I ran 70W V twin oil in it. The knock was barely there and I got another 20K out of the motor. It was hard to start in cold weather though. YMMV

[natemoen]

If you are using oil thinner than 20W50, you might get a bearing knock. I had a similar problem with a bad crank bearing, I ran 70W V twin oil in it. The knock was barely there and I got another 20K out of the motor. It was hard to start in cold weather though. YMMV

I can imagine it being hard to start!

[tinman905]

Here's an engine for sale in Ohio

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Yamaha-XS1100-XS-...item1e5cc80d37

[perurider]

xs engine

theres one east of Indy, IN. a 78 complete(?) bike, Craigslist.$250

[kek]

Tanks

The response from all of you is great, i am so glad i found this site. I will keep you informed of what i find out about this issue.

[kek]

Still have issuses

Just wondering what year engines will swap out with my 79' xs. I have found a 78' that i am going to look at, but want to know if it will interchange. Also does it matter if it is a xs or xj, any feedback would be great.

[CatatonicBug]

They will all swap, some with more adjustments than others. The timing and ignition modules are the things to watch out for. The XJ motors have the YICS in them, along with a sensor-actuated electronic advance. If you have all the parts that go with the engine, you can make it work though.

IIRC, the '78 and '79 engines are identical, and don't require any special handling to swap them. I may be wrong on that though...

[DGXSER]

78-80 will interchange no problems for a complete motor swap.

The 81 model year they changed up the electronic ignition components to eliminate the mechanical advance and eliminated the ballast resistor with 3 ohm coils. So to swap engines, you need to replace the ignition timing setup under the left side cover pretty much in its entirety, or swap the TCI out, and I believe the coils as well.

In 82, for the XJ they added the yics (just makes it more of a challenge to synch the carbs, see the YICS eliminator by Yahman). They also gave them a better alternator. In 82 they also removed the vac advance to an electronic vac adv curve in the TCI with a vac sensor as Bug had mentioned. So again, you will need to change out the timing setup in its entirety.