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hi all, i am new to this...just bought a beautiful 1979 xs11 special with < 20k. been sitting for years, was tuned up and runs great. except for one thing which the mechanic can't fix: it gets < 20 mpg! he tried cleaning carbs, filters, adjusting mixture, all the obvious things. any clues out here? thanks!
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Mechanic you say well I hate to say it but it's hard to find a mechanic that can work on our bikes. If he really tuned your bike properly you should be getting mid 30's to 40 mpg or he should have come across a good reason why you aren't.
You might want to check your fuel level in the carb bowls if you're only getting 20 mpg the level is most likely too high and you are running too rich.
Check your wheels, your brakes may be dragging or possibly your front wheel might be torqued too much. Your wheel bearings might be the problem. As you can see there are many reasons why you can have low mpg .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. -
Synch
Usually it requires much more than the local shop knows how to do. Proper synching of the carbs will make major changes too.You can't stay young forever, but you can be immature for the rest of your life...
'78E "Pathfinder" Show bike...
Lovingly restored by Dave Delzell
Drilled airbox
Tkat fork brace
Hardly mufflers
late model carbs
Newer style fuses
Oil pressure guage
Custom security system
Stainless braid brake linesComment
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Jerry posted a pretty good thread that's available in tech tips dealing with MPG's - How to Improve Gas Mileage. It's a good place to start.I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.
'79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake linesComment
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As well as all of the above, also check to make sure your vacuum advance is hooked up and working properly. If it's not functioning, that can be a real mileage-killer...Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two
'78E original owner - resto project
'78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
'82 XJ rebuild project
'80SG restified, red SOLD
'79F parts...
'81H more parts...
Other current bikes:
'93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
'86 XL883/1200 Chopper
'82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...Comment
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