XJ1100 restoration.... The Big Black Beast

[tantor]

Yeah, Beast. (only because the things that I call it when the wrenches are out are rather uncomplementary, and not PG-16).

It sat for 4 years, and after 2 weeks of beating up on it (1 hr/day), I finally have spark, and the starter engages without a jumper on the solenoid. Relay Bypass ... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29932

On to the next adventure. The gas gummed up in the carbs!
It was green when I opened the bowl drain screws, and once the bowls drained...no more. the petcocks were on "Prime". Lines full of fuel.

So the floats are stuck, and I am positive that it will require a detailed cleaning. I'm trying to wade through the search results right now, but if anyone knows the proper thread that I should be looking under.... you'll help me get back to the wrenches, and away from the keyboard. Thanks a bunch. Stan.

[bikerphil]

carb cleaning 101

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...b+cleaning+101

[dpotter58]

Work your way down the page to the maintenance section and click the carburetor link. There are several good write ups there. Patience will be the key to success.

[tantor]

It ran when parked??? Not Bloody Likely!

That bike has seen the back of Pick-up truck, more often than my buddy's hunting dogs. It puts most Hardley Davidsons to shame( for broken time!)!
I finally got the carb rack off, and this week, I will be re-living carb cleaning 101. Oh Joy! Not!

[natemoen]

That's the thread to follow. Have fun with those carbs. Hopefully you only need to pull them this once (unfortunately though it will probably be the first pull of many). Take your time and find each and every hole and book and get it clean.

[T99Ford]

Follow that thread and pay attention, and you will be set to go. I have never seen the need for the "triple cleaning" or any of that nonsense. If it is clean and put together properly, it will work. Make sure you clean the tank before you run any gas from it into your clean carbs though. Carbs aren't rocket science, and you have four to practice on!

[tantor]

Yes, it is happening! I have asked all of my retired Wrench bashers, as to the correct procedure, and most usefull cleaning solutions.

MG, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Mercedes Benz, and others... Carb Cleaning 101 is still the only manual. I'm trying to find the most current usefull cleaning solution, as the old ones that worked real well, are now prohibited!


The reason that I'm not afraid to do this job.... is the last frame off restoration, that I finished. The other club members go it to the point of OK...
After we bought it, I had the time to fix the 24 volt ancilliary crap. Fuel delivery is not my gig. I can chase wires, but..,
Last project:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/members...-imgp1084.html

I will put up more pics or links, later, but my web meister is on vacation in France right now.

[DGXSER]

My biggest hint on the carbs that may not have been in that thread, is run a piece of wire into those float bowl enrichment jets from each direction. Spraying and getting a little carb cleaner through does not count. Trust me, it makes a big difference on how well it will start from cold.

[Wildkat]

My biggest hint on the carbs that may not have been in that thread, is run a piece of wire into those float bowl enrichment jets from each direction. Spraying and getting a little carb cleaner through does not count. Trust me, it makes a big difference on how well it will start from cold.

+1 on that

Yep... it's in there, but worth mentioning again


We've been using the Berryman B-12 Chemtool carb cleaner or the Gumout Carb cleaner... Both seem to do the trick on the carbs and as an added bonus, we get the appropriate amount of burn in the eyes...

[Prothec]

I was lucky enough to have found my carbs in a box already cleaned for my build.

It may be because my bike was in parts to begin with, but the air cleaner rubber boots were a pain to get on the carbs. I ended up just throwing them in a bucket of water and heated it with a torch to make the old hard rubber pliable enough to get them on. You just need to work quick.

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I did have some 20-year old gas in the tank that smelled like something I'd drink. I ended up draining it, rinsing, then using electrolysis to clean the rust up. I haven't gone any further. I was able to get it clean enough for fuel.

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Make sure you pull the fuel gauge and clean it up. I was able to get mine reading correct resistances, but have yet to actually hook it up. I needed to get a new gasket. I ordered this from boats.net for $8.39 after shipping.

I picked up a K&L petcock rebuild kit on E-bay for $31 after shipping. It contains everything to rebuild the 2 petcocks and the octy.

[tantor]

Well, I think that I did everything right in the Carb Cleaning adventure, but I still have some problems. The airbox is filling with gas! How do I tell if it's a Petcock problem, Octy Prob, or Float problems? ..... Thanks.

[bikerphil]

First, try tapping the bowls with a screwdriver handle, the floats can stick down on the initial fill-up. If the problem persists, the bowl gaskets may need trimming on the sides and/or the secondary adjustment tab on the floats may need bending to keep them from dropping too low.