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  • #1

    Questions about a '79 XS1100 Special

    I *may* end up with a 1979 XS1100 Special. I say "may" since I am meeting him tomorrow to give him half of the asking price as deposit and I don't want to jinx anything. I drove out and had a look at the actual bike this morning. Overall it appears to be in decent shape- the tank has some internal rust, the battery is dead (he started it with a jumper box), and there's some cracking on the tires. Other than that, it looks decent. Never thought I'd be excited about a bike with a full fairing and hard saddle bags (including truck bag), but I am.

    So anyway. One of the things that struck me, and I saw this on an '81 I had for a summer a few years ago, is that the boots that go between the engine and the carbs are pretty cracked on this bike. The seller said it had carb trouble, but I think it's a vacuum leak in the boots. So here's my big question- what are these boots technically called? I seem to recall that they were a PITA the ass to find in decent shape. Is that still the case? And finally, where's a good place to find a decent set? Wasn't there a way to fix these with RTV sealant or liquid gasket?

    Finally, this bike has been sitting for about two years with periodic starts. Anything I need to baby or look out for?
    Last edited by Sojourner; 09-25-2010, 05:49 PM.
    1979 XS1100 Special
    Tags: None
  • #2
    They are called carb boots. They might be able to be saved if the cracks aren't too deep.They can be found many places for under $100.00 .
    If the bike has been sitting for a few years you might want to change the oil and drain the tank of any old gas and water before you try to start it up again. You will need to go through the carbs for sure and clean them up.
    BDF Special
    80SG Vetter bagger 1196 Wiseco big bore kit, Mega Cycle Cams, slotted cam gears, ported and flowed head, bronze intake seats, Dyno Jet kit, Dyno coils and Mikes XS air pods, Venture cam chain adjuster,Geezer's regulator, Clutch mod, Mac 4 into 1 with custom built and tuned baffle, Oil cooler,MikesXS emulators mod.
    Dyno tuned to 98 hp at the rear wheel.

    Comment

    • #3
      I wouldn't go anywhere on them tires either. I am going the full dress route on my SG also.
      1981 XS1100H


      Quando omni flunkus moritati

      When all else fails, play dead.

      Comment

      • #4
        Called carb boots. They may only be surface cracks. There is actually a later of metal in them so its usually just cosmetic with them but.cM.crack all the way through. Georgefix has them, under 100. I would certainly drain the gas from the tank and the bowls and go through the carbs good.

        Also of you want to check and see if there are any vacuum leaks just spray the carb boots with carb cleaner and see if the idle picks up.
        Nathan
        KD9ARL

        μολὼν λαβέ

        1978 XS1100E
        K&N Filter
        #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
        OEM Exhaust
        ATK Fork Brace
        LED Dash lights
        Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
        Green Monster Coils
        SS Brake Lines
        Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

        In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

        Theodore Roosevelt

        Comment

        • #5
          Those carb boots can be bought on Ebay, from Parts-n-more, and other sources, typical price for a set of new ones is about $90.

          As stated the cracks rarely go all the way through. I'd pull the carbs and look inside for signs of cracking. The exterior, most folks use a product called plasti-dip on them.

          As to other things to look at and go through. Well, there is the FAQ on what to look for in a neglected XS, it is pretty comprehensive. I'd look at the brakes thoroughly, clean and replace fluid in them. Pull and clean carbs. Clean tank and petcocks. Pull valve cover , check and set valve clearances. Replace fork oil. Replace oils in engine, middle drive, and final drive. Also pull the final drive off and lube the dive shaft coupling gears and the gears where the rear wheel mounts.

          Definitely replace those tires. And to ensure trouble free operation, look into new fuse box, and replacing the wires on the pick-up coils. Also go through all the electrical connectors and thoroughly clean them up.

          A little bit of winter busy work to be done is all!
          Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

          When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

          81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
          80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


          Previously owned
          93 GSX600F
          80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
          81 XS1100 Special
          81 CB750 C
          80 CB750 C
          78 XS750

          Comment

          • #6
            That's exactly what I was thinking- winter "busy" work.

            Thanks for all the help gentlemen.

            '79 XS1100 Special (I hope, let's not jinx it!).
            1979 XS1100 Special

            Comment

            • #7
              Ok so I gave the guy a $250 deposit today and he's getting the title notarized, so I guess it's safe to call it mine (at least sort of). So here's what I bought.

              http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/1966639813.html

              I welcome any comments or suggestions!! The Vetter fairing is in great shape, the hard bags (not Vetter) and the Vetter trunk are great shape too. The bike sounded good, though I still haven't ridden it. I figured for the $500 negotiated price and some $$/time over the winter, it was worth it. Normally I dislike fairings, but the first time I laid eyes on this ad something moved me. I knew that THIS was my bike. I know it sounds silly, but it really was love/enchantment/geas at first sight. I could feel the vibration, the wind in my face, and could hear a mixture of the engine's purr and Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song in the background... Maybe I should really get out more?
              Last edited by Sojourner; 09-26-2010, 06:56 PM.
              1979 XS1100 Special

              Comment

              • #8
                That sounds like a freakin steal of a deal! Nice lookin bike!
                Nathan
                KD9ARL

                μολὼν λαβέ

                1978 XS1100E
                K&N Filter
                #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                OEM Exhaust
                ATK Fork Brace
                LED Dash lights
                Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                Green Monster Coils
                SS Brake Lines
                Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                Theodore Roosevelt

                Comment

                • #9
                  Congrats!

                  Originally posted by Sojourner View Post
                  Ok so I gave the guy a $250 deposit today and he's getting the title notarized, so I guess it's safe to call it mine (at least sort of). So here's what I bought.

                  http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/1966639813.html

                  I welcome any comments or suggestions!! The Vetter fairing is in great shape, the hard bags (not Vetter) and the Vetter trunk are great shape too. The bike sounded good, though I still haven't ridden it. I figured for the $500 negotiated price and some $$/time over the winter, it was worth it. Normally I dislike fairings, but the first time I laid eyes on this ad something moved me. I knew that THIS was my bike. I know it sounds silly, but it really was love/enchantment/geas at first sight. I could feel the vibration, the wind in my face, and could hear a mixture of the engine's purr and Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song in the background... Maybe I should really get out more?
                  Congrats on th 79, looks nice and low miles! 1st, don't fix the carb boots (intake manifolds) with gue or something, skip 5 order out pizzas this winter and buy new while you can still get them cheap, or at all, for that matter. Next, don;t start the bike again till you have gone through the carbs (all the way through), cleaned out the tank of ALL rust, changed all fluids, oil, gear (mid and final) break fluid, and new gas. Running that old stuff through the motor, drive and carbs can make your life a lot harder New air filter, batt and check/change the fuse box. You will be glad you did My photo's of my 79 are in my profile, good to see a new 79 owner!
                  Last edited by XS1100_OEM4ME; 09-26-2010, 08:12 PM.
                  1979 XS1100 Special (Mad Max, OEM) Current
                  1980 XS1100 Special
                  1990 V Max
                  1982 KZ750 LTD Twin
                  1986 700 FZR Yamaha Fazer (faster then expected)
                  1979 XS750 Special (my 1st Special)
                  1974 CB750-Four



                  Past/pres Car's
                  1961 Catalina 389/1970 Torino GT 351/1967GTO 12to1 comp./ Roller cam/ T-10/ 456 gear/Tri-power/1967 GTO 400, 1969 Camaro, 1968 Z28, 2001 BMW M Roadster 0 to 60 in 4.5 sec. Jaguar XK8

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Here's a quick question...

                    There's a 1.5" end of a shaft sticking out the side of the engine and the wording cast into the engine says it's for a kickstarter? So is it possible to pry off the plastic cap and mount a kick lever onto it? Does it require anything else to be done aside from mounting the lever? I know it sounds crazy, but there's something inherently satisfying about about kicking over an engine rather then simply pressing a button.

                    The third pic in OEM4ME's gallery made me think of it.
                    http://s955.photobucket.com/albums/a...t=XSmotor.jpg&
                    1979 XS1100 Special

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      There is probably still the kick start lever under the toolbox held in by a wingnut from the right side. The cap should just slide off and the lever just slips on.
                      Nathan
                      KD9ARL

                      μολὼν λαβέ

                      1978 XS1100E
                      K&N Filter
                      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                      OEM Exhaust
                      ATK Fork Brace
                      LED Dash lights
                      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                      Green Monster Coils
                      SS Brake Lines
                      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                      Theodore Roosevelt

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Kick start

                        Originally posted by Sojourner View Post
                        Here's a quick question...

                        There's a 1.5" end of a shaft sticking out the side of the engine and the wording cast into the engine says it's for a kickstarter? So is it possible to pry off the plastic cap and mount a kick lever onto it? Does it require anything else to be done aside from mounting the lever? I know it sounds crazy, but there's something inherently satisfying about about kicking over an engine rather then simply pressing a button.

                        The third pic in OEM4ME's gallery made me think of it.
                        http://s955.photobucket.com/albums/a...t=XSmotor.jpg&
                        There should be a wing nut on a cover close to that shaft that if removed, will let you pull out the OEM kick starter that will fit over that shaft after you remove the rubber cover. If not there anymore, you can get a kick started on ebay cheap
                        1979 XS1100 Special (Mad Max, OEM) Current
                        1980 XS1100 Special
                        1990 V Max
                        1982 KZ750 LTD Twin
                        1986 700 FZR Yamaha Fazer (faster then expected)
                        1979 XS750 Special (my 1st Special)
                        1974 CB750-Four



                        Past/pres Car's
                        1961 Catalina 389/1970 Torino GT 351/1967GTO 12to1 comp./ Roller cam/ T-10/ 456 gear/Tri-power/1967 GTO 400, 1969 Camaro, 1968 Z28, 2001 BMW M Roadster 0 to 60 in 4.5 sec. Jaguar XK8

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          So is there any issue with leaving the kickstart lever on there permanently?
                          1979 XS1100 Special

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            kick

                            If you want to do that, you will want to get a spring loaded return kick from the other XS's I hear the 750-850 XS's work ok, rubb the air box, but work. Why would you want a kick, these bike start every time when running/charging right and can be push started in a pinch
                            1979 XS1100 Special (Mad Max, OEM) Current
                            1980 XS1100 Special
                            1990 V Max
                            1982 KZ750 LTD Twin
                            1986 700 FZR Yamaha Fazer (faster then expected)
                            1979 XS750 Special (my 1st Special)
                            1974 CB750-Four



                            Past/pres Car's
                            1961 Catalina 389/1970 Torino GT 351/1967GTO 12to1 comp./ Roller cam/ T-10/ 456 gear/Tri-power/1967 GTO 400, 1969 Camaro, 1968 Z28, 2001 BMW M Roadster 0 to 60 in 4.5 sec. Jaguar XK8

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              No problem leaving it there other than its in the way of your leg, at least it is for me.
                              Nathan
                              KD9ARL

                              μολὼν λαβέ

                              1978 XS1100E
                              K&N Filter
                              #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                              OEM Exhaust
                              ATK Fork Brace
                              LED Dash lights
                              Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                              Green Monster Coils
                              SS Brake Lines
                              Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                              In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                              Theodore Roosevelt

                              Comment

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