80 xs11 special carbs sync

[probstct]

I replaced the coils this spring, put everything back together. trying to get the bike running and sync. I can't get the bike to idle, to warm up and sync.
I am noticing fuel in the vacuum lines from the octo splitter. Do I need to rebuild the splitter, petcocks, etc..
Any help would be appriciated. Really want to get the bike on the road...

[tarzan]

You don't need to rebuild the octy, IMHO. You need to remove it from the bike and throw it as far as you can. Then hook the lines from the tank directly to the petcocks. That is, as long as your float valves are working correctly and the petcocks are good too.

[natemoen]

Are the lines full? In my vac lines there is always a little fuel bouncing back and fourth with the vac pulses.

[DGXSER]

I personally have tossed the bloody OCTY. I find it not only redundant, but also redundant, and on top of that I find it a complete PITA when I want to tune and synch the carbs. I recently worked on a bike that had one and before I finished tuning and synching I had pulled the mounting bolt so I could move the thing out the way.

Now, if your saying you are finding fuel in the vacuum line from the intake manifold to the valve, then yes, your diaphram is leaking and it needs a rebuild.

[CatatonicBug]

I don't know why everyone hates the octy so much. To me, its an insurance policy that has saved me many times. It does add a few bucks to the cost of replacing fuel lines, and means you have to switch to PRIME to sync the carbs (just like on a Standard) but there's no need to remove it IMO.

There is only one vacuum line on the octy, and the rest are fuel lines. As DGXSER said, if there is fuel in the one vacuum line, the octy could use a rebuild. All the other lines should be FULL of fuel, since that is how the carbs get their fuel.

[DGXSER]

To me, its an insurance policy that has saved me many times.

Not trying to be a smart azz, just intrigued. How would one know if the Octy saved them? Meaning, the purpose is to shut off fuel flow to the carbs when the engine is not running, and let it flow when it is. If it is working, no fuel flows out your carbs when your float needles malfunction.

If your float needles are good, if it fails, you would never know the Octy failed. If your float needles are bad, it will keep fuel off your cold engine and garage floor, but once you try to run the bike, eveyrtime you stop, fuel may flow from your airbox onto the hot engine, and or the ground. Only you sitting on the bike may not ever notice.

So to me, in order to know if the Octy avoided a spill, one would need to set the petcocks to prime and see if fuel overflows from the carbs. But then, one of the benefits of the octy is no need to adjust your petcocks.

Again, I know this diverges form the thread purposes, and not trying to give any one crap, just my inquisitive mind at work. (That and did I mention how I HATED tuning that biek wiht that bloody thin in place? Made it practically impossible to get to the no 2 mix screw, or the 2-3 sync screw.)

[jetmechmarty]

Speaking as someone who is consistently walking away from my bike with the fuel taps on, I'm keeping the vacuum shutoff. I recently rebuilt my vacuum shutoff valve (octy, spidervalve, or whatever you call it). My fuel lines are plumbed to my satisfaction, my fuel taps are rebuild, shutoff valve rebuild, and new float needles & seats. All is right with the world.

If you choose to delete it that's just dandy, but that modification isn't for everyone. YMMV.

[Yard Dogg]

I would love to have an octy, but both have been no good on my bikes, so in the trash they go. I worked my butt off resurrecting my Special a few years ago and how disappointed I was when I got it all running great then came out the next morning and ended up kicking rocks cause I didn't shut the fuel off. I posted a question on here and somebody says, "Did you shut your fuel off?" I said, "Uh...no". After that it started and ran great every time. I must have pulled those carbs and synced em 3-4 times cause it was flooded.

[jetmechmarty]

I would love to have an octy, but both have been no good on my bikes, so in the trash they go. I worked my butt off resurrecting my Special a few years ago and how disappointed I was when I got it all running great then came out the next morning and ended up kicking rocks cause I didn't shut the fuel off. I posted a question on here and somebody says, "Did you shut your fuel off?" I said, "Uh...no". After that it started and ran great every time. I must have pulled those carbs and synced em 3-4 times cause it was flooded.

Dogg,

When somebody pitches one, try to catch it. You can rebuild it.

Rebuilding Yamaha Vacuum Operated Fuel Valves

[Yard Dogg]

My XJ was crystalized and corroded so bad I couldn't even take it apart. Always drain the fuel when in storage, especially if it's sitting in a field.

[gryphon51]

My 79 does not have this, and it would appear my Petcocks are no longer compatible with replacing it.

[bikerphil]

I use Pingel in line vacuum operated shutoff valves on both my XS's, never have to worry about shutting off the taps. Never any fuel smell in my garage or gas in the oil, worth every penny for piece of mind.

[CatatonicBug]

Not trying to be a smart azz, just intrigued. How would one know if the Octy saved them?

I know it has saved me because it does not prevent the fuel that is already in the lines from leaking out past the leaky float needles. I often end up with a couple of tablespoons of fuel running out of my airbox. Yes, I know that needs to be fixed, and it's something that I've been trying to isolate for a while.

The Octy has never gotten in the way of tuning the carbs for me. A screwdriver run down from the top gets to the tuning screws just fine. The electrical components and the frame rails get in the way more than anything.

[jetmechmarty]

I use Pingel in line vacuum operated shutoff valves on both my XS's, never have to worry about shutting off the taps. Never any fuel smell in my garage or gas in the oil, worth every penny for piece of mind.

No clearance issues on the Special? Your way is likely best, but most of us are too tight fisted for that.

[bikerphil]

Plenty of clearance Marty, I don't have it rigged to both fuel taps though, I only use the left tap, right one is blocked off. The left tap runs to a filter, then to the Pingel, then to a "T", then off to the two fuel inlets on the carbs, very compact and simple.