New Member

[JScro]

Just saying hello, I've been purusing the site for a few months now while deciding what kind of bike I wanted to get. I was looking for a 70's style bike like the CB750 or XS650 and ran across a few XS11's in the search. Last week I found a very high mileage 79 XS11 with 87k. It was cheap, the owner was nice, and I wanted a project; so I bit. It drives pretty strong, and I'm hoping it will last for awhile longer.

Here's how it currently looks. It takes a good picture in the dark, it actually is quite rough looking. Bad paint, lots of rusty spots.



This is the original owners post on this forum selling it.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16124

This is what it originally looked like.



I hope to take it back to it's original paint. The tank is rusty so it needs to be cleaned and repainted anyways.

Anyone know anything about this particular bike? I've found the original owners posts saying it's been to Mexico and cross country quite a few times. That was part of my rationalization of the high mileage, is that a lot of it was highway miles by a guy who obviously took care of it.

Looks like a great forum, be gentle with me. I'll ask lot's of stupid questions, but I'll always try to search first.

*EDIT* This is the wrong forum for this post isn't it. Sorry!

[jetmechmarty]

Welcome aboard! You're off to a good start. You have a runner!

[crazy steve]

Welcome! You've got a fairly unmolested standard there, with only a few apparent mods (MAC exhaust, non-stock rear signals and paint), and being a runner, hopefully you don't have too many issues.

Here's how it looked new: http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/ads-br...-standard.html

Ask away!

[JScro]

I guess my big question area is the transmission. I'm going to change all the fluids, possibly try my hand at cleaning the carbs, get some new brake cables, and then just want to ride it for awhile before tearing more of it down.

Should I have the transmission opened and looked at? I have some friends who could give me a hand with this. It's popped out of gear on me once, and the I've noticed the clutch slips for about the first 10 minutes I'm riding it. Once it's warmed up, the clutch is fine.

[crazy steve]

These bikes will pop out of gear if not shifted firmly and deliberately; mine did it from new until I learned that. But it wouldn't hurt to pull the oil pan and take a good look at the shift dogs on the gears. As to the clutch, you likely need new springs; the Barnett springs seem to be the preferred replacements. Do a clutch adjustment first, that may cure it. Also make sure that the PO hasn't used a 'fuel saving' type oil in the bike, as those additives can cause clutch slippage also. Look for a 'plain' 20-50 oil or a motorcycle-specific 20-50 oil when changing.

The XS11 is pretty bulletproof if cared for properly and not horribly abused, so just going through the maintanence list may be all you need to do.

[jetmechmarty]

Did it pop out of 2nd gear? Fear not. You can repair this.

Do you have a service manual. Go through the clutch adjustment procedure, then see what you have.

[JScro]

Yup, it came with the Yamaha and Clymers service manual. It popped out in either 2nd or 3rd. It only happened that once, and it's very possible I just missed the shift or something. I'll add clutch adjustment to the task list this weekend. Thanks everyone!

[tom clisham]

Welcome!

I just want to ride it for awhile before tearing more of it down.

WHERE HAVE I HEARD THAT BEFORE?
Seriously, welcome. Looks pretty nice even if it's in the dark.

[jmcvey1]

Congrats on the buy and welcome,

tons of great info here, good luck to you

[BA80]

Welcome! Changing the fluids and riding it a while is a good idea in my opinion.

That is as long as it is safe. Brakes , tires, ect.

It will let you get used to it's quirks and really understand what needs to be fixed, what needs to be modified, and what needs to be left alone.

Lots of questions is how all of us learned.

[skids]

Welcome JScro. Lotsa carbs to maintain therefore, use inline filters and treat your tank to keep the rust out. As some else said, change the fluids...All of them.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Welcome

Hi, and welcome to the fourm Nice looking bike I think you are on the right track, rebuild the carbs clean the tank and add some in-line fuel filters JIC. I would also do the TopCat fuse box (cheap, at a few bucks and will rule out other problems that you might chase and end up finding it was just the OEM fuse box (Like I did) If the tires are safe and the brakes are cool, ride and learn, that way you will know what NEEDS fixed As to the miles, one of the members posted he had 300,000 KM on their bike, so, new fluids, some adjustments, and ride

[natemoen]

Welcome! I like that seat you have there! Are there any markings or anything saying who made it?

[JScro]

Every bolt and nut on this bike was seized but I wound up getting all of them off... except one. Changed the oil, middle gear and final drive oil, and flushed and bleed the brakes. The gear oil was nasty. It shifts better now, but some thing is still slipping at full throttle. I haven't had a chance to adjust the clutch.

The bolt I could not get off was the oil filter bolt. It's rounded from being stripped from the previous owner and vice grips just continued to strip it. Any ideas?

Also, looks like I have a newer aftermarket fuze box.

Up next, clutch adjustment and LED turn signals.

[BA80]

As for the slipping, be CERTAIN you are using a oil that will play well with the wet clutch. The wrong oil will make it slip.

A set of THESE will help greatly too. 30 minute job to change them.