Multiple answer question?

[Lonerider62]

I have posted about my new found "80" SG several times in the past couple weeks looking for input/answers so I'm going to try to give an overview of my present situation and what my question(s) now are. When I tore it down I found seveal not so good situations, i.e. all valves too tight, one only at .003 in. and several not far of from that. Although the cams were exactly in time, the chain was at it's lmit. The aircleaner was full of a mouse nest, and the vacuum line from #2 carb to the vacuum chamber to the advance was in BAD shape where it connected to the carb, I'm sure it had to have been leaking vacuum. It would idle OK with full choke but not worth a hoot when the choke was pushed in. It seemed to run OK with a lot of throttle or a lot of feathering the throttle to keep it running. No fuel runing anywhere it shoudln't have. Floats were very close to where they should be. When I took the carbs apart and noted where the idle mixture screws were set, 1,3,4 were at 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 out but number 2 was at 2 1/2 turns out. I thought this was strange, of course that's where my vacuum for the advance is coming from too. When I took the plugs out for the valve clearance check, they al looked pretty good with #2 a bit darker than the rest and the crowns of the pistons looked good but #2 was pretty black.

I've put new carb lits in just for the sake of having new gaskets and making sure all passageways seemed clear. They are back together but I'm still a few days away from buttoning her back up. The old main jets only had an "R" stamped on them the kit has 120 &125 mains and I put the 120's in.

What kind of take do the guru's have on this situation?

[CatatonicBug]

Sounds like you've got it mostly figured out. Clean out the mouse nest, replace the vacuum line, get the correct valve shims (post here with what you have/need, and you'll likely find people willing to trade), put it all back together and sync the carbs. You should be running in no time!

[GLoweVA]

Although the cams were exactly in time, the chain was at it's lmit.

Are you saying the adjuster was at it's limit?

My suggestion then would be to get an Auto adjuster (vision or vmax ones)
I've read that they have a bit more adjustment to them and work really well.
(plug, play and forget) (i've been looking for 2 for my bikes)

I think I read that TKAT has a shim library. I plan on doing some shim swapping on my 80SG too, I'll have to ask her what she's got.

Once you get her back together, you might want to think about a sync tool to dial those carbs in. The tech thread on the 'build you own' is great. I did it for < $20.

Keep us posted, so we can offer up our 2 cents and ideas.

[Wildkat]

Sorry to cut in on this dance... but...

I think I read that TKAT has a shim library. I plan on doing some shim swapping on my 80SG too, I'll have to ask her what she's got.

Not TKAT... he has the killer fork braces.
I have the shim library with a pretty decent assortment made even better by some generous donations.

Just let me know when you're ready and I'll do my best to hook you up...

[GLoweVA]

Big oops

Sorry WildKat, I guess with 5 cats in my house I got a little confused as to which kat had which kool stuff.

I just check my valve clearances last weekend and found #3 exhaust at .49
The rest were around .11 to .22, so WTF?

I think I'm going to pull my head off and see what's up with that valve.
Then I'll also be able to pull those shims and see which ones they are and then figure out what I need.

Thanks Wildkat, will be in touch.

[Lonerider62]

I ordered shims from Cycle-re-Cycle before I knew WildKat had some, she now has my old ones. The chain tensioner was at its' limit, that's how I knew the chain was also done. I have a very good carb sync tool I got from Great Britain for use on my old Wing. It's a little different that most in that it doesn't use a liquid it uses weights instead, kind of interesting how it works.
I got my new brake pads and oil filter today and got them installed. I'm not sure about the other XS1100's but on my SG the way the pads are formed is strange, having about a 20 degree angle to the face of the front pads, the rear is normal though.