Purchased 1979 XS1100...????

[jmacsuga]

Hello All: My name is Jim and I have just purchased an XS1100F, 1979. I have started the rebuilding effort to see if will even start after 25 years of sitting. So far I have put in oil (there was NONE when I got it), lubed the upper valves, cleaned the carbs (not bad really) and just trying to see if it will start. If it does start, I plan a complete tear down and frame out restore. It is a beautiful bike (in my opinion), and worth my time. I am retired now, and have the time and patience to do the work. If you would like to follow my progress, you can go to http://jimphoto.freeprohost.com/Yamaha and look at the photos. I am in the process now of cleaning the tank. The photos of the manifolds is interesting. I didn't want to buy new unless it starts, and well, I used a product I got from ACE Hardware called Plasti Dip. An aerosol rubber and it did a pretty good job after I removed the electrical tape from the previous owner. Your site has been a great help for me, and I plan to visit often. There is one question.....There is a rubber hose from a fitting on the top of what looks to be the transmission. Anyone know where this goes...it is NOT covered in the manual I have. Thanks to all for your contributions!!!

[clcorbin]

That rubber hose on top of the tranny is the vent. If my memory serves, it goes up to the bottom of the airbox so any fumes would be burned off by the engine.

Good luck with your 79 rebuild! I've got a 79F that I've owned since '89. I still ride it every day. In fact, I need to get moving so I can do a bit of maintenance to my bike today as well!

[natemoen]

There are 2 hoses in the same area there. One larger hose is the crank case vent, it goes to the large nipple on the front upper center of the airbox. The other little hose coming off a brass colored thing is the middle drive vent, it goes up to the top of the frame just behind the gas tank and sits in a little loop on a bracket.

[GLoweVA]

I saw your pics. She looks to be in pretty okay shape for being sitting around for so long.
Carbs cleaned up NICE!
I saw in your pics that you've got spark and the starter works, Have you checked Compression? If it's a little low, you can 'prelube' the rings by putting a little oil in thru the spark plug hole and that should help bring the compression up too.
The carb boots look good too. I might have to try that plasti dip too. Mine aren't that bad yet.
Welcome to the forum. Feel free to ask many questions. We all love to answer them and read others responses to give us ideas on our bikes too.

[jmacsuga]

Thanks!

Thanks, guys!!! There is a place for a hose on the under side of the airbox. When I install it, I will know where the hose goes!!!
As for the compression issue, when I first measured it, there was NO compression on the #3 cylinder. The wiring was a mess, and it took me awhile to figure out how to turn the motor over. So, for the last several weeks, I have been using WD40 in the sparkplug holes and just turning it over a few time. Got the pressure up to 60#'s, so that is better than 0!!! Valves are all working properly, so maybe it will fire. I will let you know. Next day or so.

[natemoen]

The hole on the bottom of the airbox should have a little filter thing on it. It is actually a drain for when your carbs decide to piss into the airbox

Also you should pull the valve cover and check your valve shim clearance, that can also affect compression numbers.

[GLoweVA]

While you got the valve cover off, check the timing marks on the cams.
at TDC the dots on the cams should line up to the arrows on the cam keepers. Then you'll know that the cams aren't out of alignment.
If your cams are out of sync, that could affect your compression numbers too.

[jmacsuga]

Checked the compression after running 15 minutes

Thanks for the information. I did a check on the compression after I ran it for about 15-20 minutes. It had come up some before I got it started, and there was a marked improvement after running. The carbs seem to be working fine, and I will need new plugs (I just started it with what I had), and I am working on getting the gas tank cleaned. My friend just emailed me about a product at Harbor Freight that is $30.00 a gallon, and that is at the store!!! I will let you know how it works. It is called Evapo-Rust.

[jmacsuga]

Uploaded more pics....and a QUESTION

More pictures at http://jimphoto.freeprohost.com/Yamaha but the one I am most interested in is the yam021 because it looks like someone has put hose clamps where the bottom of the frame goes into the top of the frame. Is this the way it is supposed to be????

[lee_dutcher]

no there is not suppost to be hose clamps there.

[lee_dutcher]

there yea go

[SFerinTEXAS]

Those clamps are probably left overs from a previously installed fairing bracket

[jmacsuga]

Stupid Me!!!! False alarm!!!!

Took the hose clamps OFF and the frame looks normal. There is a piece welded to the outside of the frame, and that what makes it look like a pipe inside a pipe. Not so. Thanks for the help!!!

[trdriver71]

Also when you did a compression did you hold the throttle wide open? That will cause lower #'s too.

[BigDick]

Hey, if you're getting ready to do your gas tank and you're also doing a full top to bottom restoration I'd spend the $$ on a product called POR-15. Supposed to be some of the best stuff on the market. IIRC it's a bit pricey (around $60 for the motorcycle kit) but I've never heard a bad word about it.