Pod Filters Anyone?

[turbo loco]

I'm thinking of losing the box and changing to pod filters for my 78. Besides the different air intake and syncing carbs what other maintenance or risks am I getting myself into? Anyone with Pods on your 78?

[GARTHXS]

I am not trying to be a d#ck but have you tried the search function

[tinman905]

If you like to remove your carbs often then going to pods would be convenient for removal or your carbs . Some guys have trouble tuning with pods others have good results.

[79XS11F]

POD filters on the 78 and 79 carbs is more problematic then on the later model carbs. After many attempts to get the jetting right on my 78 I packed it in and went back to the air box which is drilled and uses a K&N in the box. engine now runs good.
With PODs on this set of 78 carbs and the filters removed I could see the slided popping up and down pretty much at random when the throttle was twisted so your mid range will be difficult to impossible to get tuned correctly.
If you really want POD filters I would suggest you start by switching out the carbs to later model units and tune them with the box on so you have a reference point to work from. Switching to PODs without getting the carbs tuned properly will only rob the engine of its mid range.
Rob

[Rasputin]

I have the pods on my 79SF. I had to rejet and it is running great thru all the ranges. There is also a set of jardine spaghetti pipes on that bike so maybe that makes it easier to tune. The carbs can be off the bike in 4 mins with the pods which is great. I would suspect that if one has stock pipes that the pods may present more of a challenge though.
I also have a 78 with stock airbox and jardine 4 into 1 pipes. That one was much easier to tune. After having to take those carbs off a few too many times I decided to make a tool to help out. It ended up being similar to a 90 dgree O-ring pick but with a 2 ft handle. I can get the carbs in and out now with relative ease.
I have two more XS11's I am working one here and both will have the stock air boxes on them unless I have to go to some weird setup. The pods sound way meaner and offer easier access but I like the stock box for tuning and it is noticeably quieter on distance trips. Either way you will find loads of info on the site search as well as many opinions. Do what makes you happy.

[turbo loco]

I wasn't exactly concerned with the aesthetics of the idea of pods as much as intake. I wasn't sure which would be better for my bike specific since I've only had the box. I've read through older threads on pods which have some practical knowledge but more empty talk about my bike this my bike that. I suppose I'll just hold off for a while. Thanks for the help.

[cowboybob998]

pods with inside flange

Make sure if you go with pods that you get the ones without the inside flange in then, they restrick the air flow and block the air jet on the back of the carb, can mess every thing up, if you get the right pods they will work well, stll may have to re jet,

[skids]

Make sure if you go with pods that you get the ones without the inside flange in then, they restrick the air flow and block the air jet on the back of the carb, can mess every thing up, if you get the right pods they will work well, stll may have to re jet,

Hey Cowboybob, what lind of 4-1 header do you have on that model F? Does the bike sometimes gag a little if you twist the throttle too quickly? How is it on upper speed...do you know how fast it will run at wide open?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

pods

pods make R/I of carbs easy. Air flow is increased as Yamaha made restrictions built in to the OEM air box, so all your tunning will be hit or miss IMHO. Many have had OK results with aftermarket pods but these bikes can be very sensitive to any change in intake and exaust flow, more so then any other motor I have worked on. I guess Yamaha tuned their bikes like they tuned their pianos, very close to OEM spec.

[T99Ford]

It pretty much boils down to this:

Do you like the look of no airbox?

Are you mechanic enough to tune it (they can all be tuned)?

Unlike later bikes, the airbox or pods are of negligible peformance advantage (meaning one is not significantly better than the other). Both do have to be tuned accordingly, though.

I run pods, but just cause I think it looks cool

[cywelchjr]

It pretty much boils down to this:

Do you like the look of no airbox?

Are you mechanic enough to tune it (they can all be tuned)?

Unlike later bikes, the airbox or pods are of negligible peformance advantage (meaning one is not significantly better than the other). Both do have to be tuned accordingly, though.

I run pods, but just cause I think it looks cool

+1 on the no significant difference. While I have not personally done the work, there has been considerable knowledge given on here concerning them. The consensus is that with the XS11 bikes, that pods do not add significantly to the power, and that aftermarket exhausts or open exhausts not only don't add any significant power, but can lower power in many conditions, and can be very hard to tune to. The main thing you will get with an aftermarket exhaust system is going to be the look and sound, and with the pods it's going to be the look and ease of removal and replacement for the carbs.

A member of the .org site (and former member here) Ivan tried the really free flowing exhaust and ended up going back to a commercial exhaust system to get good performance at all RPM ranges. I'm not saying you can't do it with the pods or aftermarket exhaust, clearly some XS riders have done so, but its not easy, and as many as like it have found that it was not worth the work to them. Especially given that gains are minor if any, and often come with losses in other areas.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Yes

Yes, I agree. And you can make these bikes sub 7 sec. QTR bikes (as had been done in the past) with unlimited resources and know how. But if you only want a wheel spinning, wheely pulling power house that turns in the 11 sec times and also works to go get icecream as well, well yamaha already made that bike, the XS1100. I am guessing that is why we all love this bike, great preformance. and style. Can replacing a 30 year old fuse box make it better, yes! Can you chop it up and make something new, of course you can (like i mentioned a friend uses xs1100 motors in sprint cars). Are they great bikes just the way they were made? Well if not, none of us would be talking about them 30 years later!

[3Phase]

(like i mentioned a friend uses xs1100 motors in sprint cars)

Ah, cool! You actually know one of those people.

The next time I need parts for my, you know, XS1100 motorcycle and they're no longer available or priced through the roof (each) I was thinking about how to convey my personal thanks and appreciation to the fine sprint car community.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Scott

Hi Scott, I am with you, hate to hear how an XS1100 gets chopped up (as many on here like to do) or used for some other thing ( wether a sprint car or a stump puller). I love these bikes, my mame is OEM, but people are free to do as they will to whatever they own, America, you have to love it or leave it!

[crazy steve]

....The next time I need parts for my, you know, XS1100 motorcycle and they're no longer available or priced through the roof (each) I was thinking about how to convey my personal thanks and appreciation to the fine sprint car community.

Actually, most of those guys have moved on to the FJ motors, for just the reason you state... lack of parts. 'Tis a shame, but it is what it is...

'78E original owner