XJ11 idle adjustment knob in a bad location

[KA1J]

Man, what a hassle getting to the idle adjustment knob on the XJ11. On the XJ650 with Hitachi carbs, the adjustment is behind the carbs where you can get to it easily with no effort. On the XJ11 it's in front of the carbs right where it's in a tight space and you have to brush against the lower fins & be compressed by the carbs. I have to wear gloves to contact that knob. No way to do it without gloves, I'll get burns on my hands

Is there a trick to accessing it?

[SFerinTEXAS]

99% of the time that is set when the sync is done and the tank is off. After that for a minor adjustment a long tool or stick will serve to move it a little.

Its not something that requires a lot of fiddling with.

[petejw]

i havent got the xj,
but have heard of members using a screwdriver
to get into the idle adj knob.

[bikerphil]

I've got a cut cable from a speedometer attached to the main idle knob, so the new knob is by the right sidecover. It makes a 90 degree bend. It nice to be able to adjust it anytime in one second.

[Rasputin]

I've got a cut cable from a speedometer attached to the main idle knob, so the new knob is by the right sidecover. It makes a 90 degree bend. It nice to be able to adjust it anytime in one second.

What a clever idea! I may have to make something like that as I burn the **** out of my hands doing the adjustments too.

[rpgoerlich]

I've got a cut cable from a speedometer attached to the main idle knob, so the new knob is by the right sidecover. It makes a 90 degree bend. It nice to be able to adjust it anytime in one second.

Indeed. How about a pic showing how you attached it to the idle screw?

[davidsymons53]

I use a leather glove when I adjust the idle.

David

[bikerphil]

I don't have a pic at the moment, but it's pretty simple. When you have the carbs on the bench, drill a hole slightly larger than the cable in the center of the adjusting knob (78-79 carbs) about 1/4" deep. Put some JB weld in the hole and insert the cable, letting it dry overnite. Cut the cable to the right length and attach a knob of your choice at the end. It needs a hold down on the cable behind the knob. I'll snap some pictures later. Sorry, I don't have a mod for the later carbs with the ajustment screw down below in front.

[KA1J]

I don't have a pic at the moment, but it's pretty simple. When you have the carbs on the bench, drill a hole slightly larger than the cable in the center of the adjusting knob (78-79 carbs) about 1/4" deep. Put some JB weld in the hole and insert the cable, letting it dry overnite. Cut the cable to the right length and attach a knob of your choice at the end. It needs a hold down on the cable behind the knob. I'll snap some pictures later. Sorry, I don't have a mod for the later carbs with the ajustment screw down below in front.

Still, this is an idea worth considering.

Most cool.

Other solutions anyone?

[Yahman]

I use an old potholder placed on the engine, then I can get my bare hand in there to adjust it.

Larry

[bikerphil]

Indeed. How about a pic showing how you attached it to the idle screw?

Ok, here's the pic, sorry it took so long, only 7 months.

[KA1J]

Very clever!

[Smash]

We've had to do LOADS of adjusting of the idle screw since (we realize now) the bike needed a valve adjustment. Every time we just have a long sleeve shirt/jacket and full finger gloves. Can reach in there. Karla does it better than I do, but we both have small hands (hell I'm all of 5'8").

[TheRev]

Hello Phil

I would like to make do this to my xs1100 carbs. Could you please tell me where i might be able to find the knob and the hold down bracket you used? Thanks

Jared

I don't have a pic at the moment, but it's pretty simple. When you have the carbs on the bench, drill a hole slightly larger than the cable in the center of the adjusting knob (78-79 carbs) about 1/4" deep. Put some JB weld in the hole and insert the cable, letting it dry overnite. Cut the cable to the right length and attach a knob of your choice at the end. It needs a hold down on the cable behind the knob. I'll snap some pictures later. Sorry, I don't have a mod for the later carbs with the ajustment screw down below in front.

[bikerphil]

That knob came from the HELP section of the auto parts store and the hold down is just a 1/4" cable clamp from Home Depot. GL with your mod.