New 1978 XS1100 owner questions.

[James England]

Maybe never; some owners with higher mileage bikes still haven't done the tranny fix. I think it has more to do with how the bike was treated. Beating the snot out of it, shifting without the clutch, or failing to be very 'positive' when shifting seems to have more to do with the trans issue than miles. So you might get lucky...

I've had four XS1100's and ridden tens of thousands of miles total. Three of them had done 40,000 miles or so. On my third one, I fitted a nitrous oxide injection system with 70bhp jets. I rode that bike for over 2 years, burned loads of nitrous and travelled all through France, Luxembourg and Holland. Even using the nitrous, when immense amounts of power appeared at a certain throttle point (and therefore in any gear, including 2nd), I've never known the gear to jump out.............
I've never once, ever encountered the transmission problem re jumping out of gear. In fact, until I joined this website, I wasn't even aware that the bikes sometimes suffered this problem. I'd be interested to know the stats.... how many XS11's are still out there and how many actually have suffered this transmission problem?

[lancelot455]

I've had four XS1100's and ridden tens of thousands of miles total. Three of them had done 40,000 miles or so. On my third one, I fitted a nitrous oxide injection system with 70bhp jets. I rode that bike for over 2 years, burned loads of nitrous and travelled all through France, Luxembourg and Holland. Even using the nitrous, when immense amounts of power appeared at a certain throttle point (and therefore in any gear, including 2nd), I've never known the gear to jump out.............
I've never once, ever encountered the transmission problem re jumping out of gear. In fact, until I joined this website, I wasn't even aware that the bikes sometimes suffered this problem. I'd be interested to know the stats.... how many XS11's are still out there and how many actually have suffered this transmission problem?

Mine is currently suffering from that problem but it is first gear that jumps out. Looking for replacement gears as i don't have a garage to do the dremel fix. Going to have to get a shop to do it for me in the spring .

[scrapvalue]

I just found that I had at least 2 wires,(the blue & red), broken on the pick up coil.
I think one of the others is broke also.
It seems it would be a lot easier to take the unit off to check them all real good and fix the ones that need it.
Is there anything I should know before doing this?
And which way do you turn the timing plate to remove it?

Thanks for all the help so far, this is definetley a very helpful web site.

[natemoen]

When you get in the timing cover the pickup coil wires are going to be a different color. there is a factory splice about 6 or so inches outside the cover inside the wire loom where the wires change to the other colors. The wires under the cover are super soft and flexable and frequently break inside the insulation. These are the wires that break, not the ones that run to the tci. Most people splice in some test meter wire leads as replacements.

The timing plate is held on by a Allen bolt. It is notched on the back so it SHOULD only go on in the appropriate direction.

[bikerphil]

I just found that I had at least 2 wires,(the blue & red), broken on the pick up coil.
I think one of the others is broke also.
It seems it would be a lot easier to take the unit off to check them all real good and fix the ones that need it.
Is there anything I should know before doing this?
And which way do you turn the timing plate to remove it?

Thanks for all the help so far, this is definetley a very helpful web site.

Scrap, turn the engine till the little reluctor tab lines up with it's slot. Also take a sharpie and draw a line across the PU coil assy and the case. This'll help you keep the timing correct. Pull off the assy and repair the wires. The 6mm allen bolt is right hand threads. Put some grease on the mechanical advance while you're in there.

[scrapvalue]

Well I fixec those 2 broken wires and gave the carbs a good complete cleaning and the bike runs nice.
Idles great and revs out nice.
Have to do some reassembling before I can actually take it for a ride, but so far so good.
I can't imagine how long,(if ever), it would have taken me to figure out those broken wires.
That is what I makes these forums so great.
People who have experienced the problems, figured out how to fix them and willing to share what they know.
I owe you guys a beer, maybe 2!

[natemoen]

Well at least you know she is worth fixing now!

[scrapvalue]

Here is a picture of the bike when I brought it home.

[DiverRay]

OK, you have the Vetter fairing. dump it, as it's no great loss!( I KNOW I'LL get it for THIS statement!) It sounds as if you have it running well, so you should be riding shortly!
ENJOY THE RIDE!!!

[scrapvalue]

OK, you have the Vetter fairing. dump it, as it's no great loss!( I KNOW I'LL get it for THIS statement!) It sounds as if you have it running well, so you should be riding shortly!
ENJOY THE RIDE!!!

How can you tell if it is a Vetter fairing?
The only markings I can find on it ar all Yamaha tags.
Here is a picture of the Yamaha ID plate with serial # 10398 on it.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...1024101141.jpg

Did Yamaha contract Vetter to manufacture the fairings?

I have both of the lowers and all mounting hardware.
Any idea what a complete fairing is worth?

Picture of lowers.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...022101351a.jpg

[cywelchjr]

How can you tell if it is a Vetter fairing?
The only markings I can find on it ar all Yamaha tags.
Here is a picture of the Yamaha ID plate with serial # 10398 on it.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...1024101141.jpg

Did Yamaha contract Vetter to manufacture the fairings?

I have both of the lowers and all mounting hardware.
Any idea what a complete fairing is worth?

Picture of lowers.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...022101351a.jpg

There are only two possibles, Pacifico and Vetter. It's definitely not a Pacifico, and that leaves the Vetter, and yes, Yamaha contracted with Vetter to make fairings for the XS1100 starting in 79. Craig Vetter was out of the picture by that time, but as it turns out was aware of the contract and knows the guy who designed the mods made to make it look the way Yamaha wanted (and to allow the square standard light). Now I have to say that I like the Vetter fairings, but it is indeed a personal taste issue, and some just don't like them. Personally I figure my body shape makes for a pretty good parachute at speed on a bike, and the Vetter fairing hides me from the wind, and while it's debatable as to if it's more fuel efficient, it certainly is less tiring not having to fight to hold onto the bars at speed with the fairing on there.

If you like to tear up the twisties, then you probably won't like the fairing, but if you like to tour in relative comfort, you may well like it.

[natemoen]

Although being from Michigan you could keep the fairing and just put it on early in the spring and start riding earlier than all the non fairinged people and then take it off once it gets nicer, then you can put it back on in the fall and ride later into the year than others.

[scrapvalue]

I just sold my Kawasaki Concours that had a full fairing.
The fairing was very nice when it was cold or raining.
But when it was hot, it was just plain miserable.
I have decided to just buy a nice riding suit that I can use when I need it, but can enjoy being in the wind when I want to.
I spend the winters working in S. Florida now, so I really get a long riding season.
I may install a windshield that I can remove if I want.

[yamtom]

regarding the fairing

Hi,
I will sure take the lowers and the bag setup if you want to sell them reasonable. I have seen the fairing itself offered to give away, since they are a bear to ship, but if you can find someone close by, where shipping isnt an issue, there could be good value in it. Pm me regarding the bags and lowers if you would, I already have the fairing itself. I am in Michigan, in Midland.