Cold #1 exhaust

[Bartman]

I got the second set of carbs on and dialed them in as good as I could when I found out that I was out of propane. Also, the spring was missing that holds the main idle adjustment still. I pulled the spring off the first set of carbs and am charging the battery real good at the moment. Before I button it up I do want to get some propane and make sure that the idles are as good as I can get.
All of the spark plugs are firing now and look OK without a real world load on them. I need to get insurance and a tag before that 20 minute ride that I have been waiting for.
Also, T. C., I don't mind putting the other coils in that I pulled from the 81 XJ....I just need to know if the XJ's used the resistor or not. If it did then I don't need to waste my time, if it didn't then those should be better than what I have and now is the time to put them in.
While I am writing, I checked the first set of carbs and on the 78 carbs I think that the spring is below the washer and mine is. I also had all of them set to the center position. When I use these carbs again on my next project then I might consider moving that setting for this one carb if it continues to have a problem with richness.
So far this and last year I have purchased 4 motors, 3 frames w/wheels, 3 exhausts, 2 carbs and 2 handlebars.... I plan on riding this first bike while I get a second going. It would be my keeper since it looks better.

[Harley Steve]

Your old brother will help you ride one of them, when you get it ready. And you know I`ve got propane. Steve

Might add, it`ll be good riding weather in a couple of weeks.

[DGXSER]

The XJ and the 81 XS1100 used 3 ohm coils, no resistor. The 78-80 models used 1.5 ohm coils with the resistor. So you would want to put the XJ coils in and bypass your resistor.

Now, for the uninformed, what is the propane for when tuning the carbs? I have never done that or heard of it.

[oldyam80sg]

So Don-not to get off track-what you and TC are saying is the coils on my SG would benefit from later model coils like on an XJ all we need to do is to basically plug the ballast resistor into itself?

[motoman]

The XJ and the 81 XS1100 used 3 ohm coils, no resistor. The 78-80 models used 1.5 ohm coils with the resistor. So you would want to put the XJ coils in and bypass your resistor.

Now, for the uninformed, what is the propane for when tuning the carbs? I have never done that or heard of it.

Was the reccomended way of setting idle mixture on the late 70's early 80's
chryslers having the two barrel carb. Set using the 'lean drop' method. As far as accuracy, always had mixed thoughts on that and for 'general purposes' and vehicle use, IMO was a bit anal. Using propane, setting a 'lean drop' WILL get mixture dead-on though, but I don't ride at an idle, and anything above that changes that mixture throughout the RPM range.

[DGXSER]

Pete, yes, the 3 ohm coils are an improvement to the 1.5 ohm coils. Now, I am not saying I would invest in the coils if mine were working just fine myself. But then I am a bit of a cheapazz.

Yes, the coils off an XJ or the 81XS1100 are 3 ohm. I like the coils off of the Honda VF1000R (other Honda models used the same coils). Mostly because I can replace the coil wires. If you look on the UK XS11 site, they have an upgrade thread on installing the Honda coils.

[Bartman]

OK, since I got coils for $5 bucks I'll put them in. The propane will make me fill like I have done everything that I have at my fingertips to set the bike up with, for both stopped at red lights and for the run up the road.
For those that don't know, a small amount of propane into one of the intake stacks will bog down, rev up or do nothing for the idle. Bog down means too rich, revs up means too lean and no change means just right. But as was stated, only for idle. I really hate it when you come up to a stop and the motor is having fits. I don't have that much experance with motorcycles but my 80 RX7 would do that at times and was a handful.
And yes, my brother "Harley Steve" can ride it when I get it running. I'm not running to your house to get propane, I'll get some tomorrow after work.

[oldyam80sg]

OK -Not to hijack your thread but i replaced the wires in the coils several years ago after looking at the tech tips.They are working fine.I bought like 4 complete sets of coils several years ago as i got them very cheap.The XJ coils i have seen are not cheap at all.

[DGXSER]

It all depends on ebay prices. One day the cheapest tank I could find was $100, plus shipping. Then there were three for less than $30 and $15 shipping. Like I said, you never really know. Just have to watch and wait. I have gotten a few sets of the Honda coils for less than $40 shipped.

[Bartman]

Well after spending most of the night making a wooden stand for my wife, I finally got to the bike.
Last night I did change the coils and put the fairing back on.
Tonight I rolled it outside and attached the charger to the battery so that it would be getting a charge even if at idle. Then hooked up my pint sized gas tank and 4 sync gages to a step ladder next to the bike. Added the box fan and I was ready to start. After warming up I put the propane to each tube and no change! Great, I let it run a while and it reved good and settled back down well too.
I then put the air filter and bottom on the air box and it continued to run well. It then dawned on me to turn the front left and right the motor reved up.....After looking at the throttle cable and touching here and there, I am not sure how I am going to fix that. Driving down the road wouldn't be a problem, but at work in the parking lot.....
Also the back left blinker didn't light up.

What is the best way to get the throttle cable not to be a factor?

There is another question that I have for you all. If the 78 doesn't charge the battery until around 2k RPM, would the charging circuit from the 81 XJ at the junk yard be better?

[bikerphil]

What is the best way to get the throttle cable not to be a factor?

Put some slack in the cable at the adjustment up by the throttle housing.

[Bartman]

Light bulb blown, easy fix.

I will loosen the throttle nut before I try again. Thanks.

Another question. The blinkers don't blink much or very fast. Mostly lights up. The better the voltage the better chance for a blink. Should I put a small resistor in line to bring up the current to get the flasher to change quicker? I would like to go to LED's and doubt that it would do any blinking with those at all.

[bikerphil]

If you install a 2 prong electronic (not thermal) flasher from auto parts store, the blinkers will then kick @ss, no self canceling feature though.

[skids]

Or install a 3 prong electronic flasher (still no auto feature but that is OK)

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bart,

Congrats on the XJ coils and their performance boost=smooth idle and good throttle response!

The XJ's charging ALT will provide about 5 amps more than the XS's, but it's a BRUSHED ALT...the brushes do slowly wear out. Others with more electrics knowledge can chime in with what it would take to swap out the Xj's ALT onto an XS11. I think you can use the same Reg/Rect but not totally sure.

As stated, either a 2 prong Electronic flasher if you're wanting to use LEDs, as well as just a non-load dependent flasher. There's a thread/tech tip about a modification to retain the self canceller with LED's.

However, several factors can keep your OEM lights/flasher from working properly, like poor grounds at the actual lights, or the wrong bulb watt rating...too low....should be 27 watts per bulb, as well as the other circuit connections....corrosion and such. Many folks have solved their problems from just cleaning the connections!

T.C.