1980 Carbs

[MPittma100]

On the 1980 carbs, is there supposed to be a plug in the pilot jet passage? I have been in to the 79 carbs where there is a screw (plug) there and am uncertain about the 80 carbs.

Thanks in advance, MP

[bikerphil]

The 1980 carbs are a split year. Early ones had the crossover passage and use a rubber plug over the pilot jet, late ones, no passage, no plug.

[MPittma100]

80 Carbs

The 1980 carbs are a split year. Early ones had the crossover passage and use a rubber plug over the pilot jet, late ones, no passage, no plug.

Thanks for the info Phil. Just bought a set on Ebay (for spares/parts). Got them for $36.00. Thought they would go for more.

MP

[Jay60465]

Thread Jacking 1980 special Carb Help

I recently got a 1980 MFG date of 08/79 Special with the case and frame #'s match. My problem is that my carbs are needing a deep cleaning. So I need help finding the correct parts for these carbs for a correct rebuild. After reading dozens and dozens of threads and posts, I still need some help with replacement parts. I swear looking at these carbs part of them look 78-79, just not sure.

[bikerphil]

I recently got a 1980 MFG date of 08/79 Special with the case and frame #'s match. My problem is that my carbs are needing a deep cleaning. So I need help finding the correct parts for these carbs for a correct rebuild. After reading dozens and dozens of threads and posts, I still need some help with replacement parts. I swear looking at these carbs part of them look 78-79, just not sure.

Carb identifier....

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35964&highlight=carb+identifier

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35952&highlight=carb+identifier

[Jay60465]

1980 carb parts needed

ok going through the pictures, I guess what I truly want to know is there an actually a true 1980 carb kit. Or does it depend on what bodies you have is what kit you have to get.

[GLoweVA]

ok going through the pictures, I guess what I truly want to know is there an actually a true 1980 carb kit. Or does it depend on what bodies you have is what kit you have to get.

Okay, so you've got the later (80/81) carb style. (plastic floats and pressed in float needles)
Like some have said the 80 year went thru a modification mid year and some have the pilot passages pluged and others don't. To give you an idea, my G does, while my SG does not. But that's the only difference between the two.
So any kit(s) for the 80 G,SG,LG or 81 H,SH,LH will work.
Most swear that GeorgeFix (on Ebay) is the best guy to go to to get carb parts/kits. I haven't gotten anything from him, so I can't testify.
You may just want to open them up and see what parts you need before deciding on ordering a bunch of parts/kits that you may not need.
Carb cleaner and some brasso/polish can work wonders on some of these brass jets. Follow the carb cleaning tech tips and be thoughtful and careful when removing really stuck jets. They WILLl come out with the right persuasion, right tool and some lube/penetrant.
About the only thing you may need is some new gaskets, but even those can be cut from generic gasket paper/material.

[Jay60465]

Thread Jacking 1980 special Carb Help

From the pictures and testimony from everyone, I think I have the early 80 carbs. Screw in float jet, brass floats, and the pilot jets had a screw on the top of them. Along with adjustable idle screws. So does this mean I have to buy a 1979 kit or do I look for a early 1980 kit. I have been looking at various sites and I only see the 79 screw in float kit and 1980 press in float kit. I admit this is my first xs1100 and learning from scratch, the closest thing I ever worked on to this was my 82 Seca 550R. So again I want to thank everyone very much again and again in advance.

[bikerphil]

You need the 79 kit if you have brass floats, screw on top of pilot, and the exposed type mixture screws. It sounds like you have the early type 78-79 carbs.

[natemoen]

Yup, 78/79 carbs. 80+ will have a press in float valve and plastic floats. So you need a 78 or a 79 carb kit.

Keep in mind that you need to jet your bike according to the year of the carbs and NOT the year of the bike.

[jwhughes3]

Just clean the carb parts you have. No kit needed unless something is messed up. You can buy a nitrile oring box at harbor freight and replace the rubber orings if worn but thats it.


John

[Jay60465]

Thread Jacking 1980 special Carb Help

I want to do a complete cleaning and some of the pilot jets were jacked up by the PO. I just need help on which carb kit to buy. I am stuck between 1979 and possible early 1980 kit if it exists. I want to minimize any major carb problems before i begin the rehab project.
TAKE A LOOK PLEASE

[IMG][/IMG]

[DGXSER]

Jay, those are the 78-79 model carbs. I would say you want the 79 model carb kits for it. 78 had different jetting, I would think the 79 jetting would work best with an 80 motor.

[Jay60465]

Thread Jacking 1980 special Carb Help

Thank you so much, I just wanted another opinion (a more qualified professional one). Again thank you for the help everyone!!

A XS1100 Newbie

[natemoen]

If you don't need gaskets or float needles then just buy individual genuine Mikuni jets. That will save you a lot of cash instead of buying kits.