Xs1100 Rebuild thread!

[cywelchjr]

The most common cause on the 80+ carbs on what you are describing is NOT the needles! This is most commonly caused by the o-ring on the needle valve seat, and no amount of fiddling with the needle valve itself will fix that problem without fixing the needle valve seat problem. You can get the o-ring from most auto parts stores although a Napa parts store will be more likely to have a large assortment that would have what you need, HF also has an assortment you can buy that has what you need. When you pull the needle valve seat out of the carb, there is an o-ring around it, that compresses and wears with age and gas leaks around it, and causes case to overflow the carb. It's an easy fix once you get the right sized o-rungs, and many carb kits come with new seats with new o-rings which of course fixes the problem for you.

[natemoen]

Yeah the o ring is usually the problem, but if it is the original needles most likely the viton tips are hard anyways.

[cywelchjr]

Yeah the o ring is usually the problem, but if it is the original needles most likely the viton tips are hard anyways.

Yes, but my point is if the viton tips are hard or have a ring in them (the most common problem with them BTW) then the o-rings are bad for sure and need to be replaced as well. So, if you replace the needles, you also need to replace the o-rings at the same time, just sayin. You may or may not need to replace the needles if you replace the o-rings, but I'd bet on needing it the other way. IIRC the kits that come with a new gasket, the needle valve and a new seat with o-ring were pretty cheap, and pretty cheap insurance in my book.

[SLKid]

I agree with you both indeed.
I SHOULD just buy a rebuild kit for the carbs etc etc....
Im really trying to keep these things down to a bare minimum... Fix what i HAVE to, PAY for what I have to ya know? I've got a million parts in the storage unit so im trying to use my resources before my all important money. (Cost of living in DC is astronomical!!!!!!!!!!)
I've got new needles on the way, I've got a stash of O rings. I'm trying to contact said parts supplier and get new seats delivered as well before he ships, but if its already shipped I'll put new o rings on myself.
Restoring my XJ700 I know what i SHOULD do.. But I wanna put bare minimum into it for now. I wanna know if i wanna keep this thing, or i wanna get it runnin, put a primer on it, and make a PROFIT.
So before i dump money into it I gotta know if I like ridin it.
If shes as reliable (Or as unreliable in Maxines case) as my XJ, I'll prob keep her.
We'll see.
But the Viton tips ARE hard, and the Orings look in DECENT shape. Not immaculate. Could stand to replace both.
-Chris