New member with 1979 Special - project bike

[pbjman]

Hello. I am here because I just picked up a '79 XS Eleven Special. 16900 miles.
Not running. No battery. But the Gas tank isn't rusted inside, carb boots aren't cracked, seat is not torn. Has a built-in AM/FM/CB and full touring gear including footboards and heel to toe shifters etc. All I know for now is that the Motor is not seized and it clicks thru all the gears.
I figured I would hook up a battery, compression test, drain the carb bowls, to try to start it etc. and if I can't get her going I may part it out.
It was a little intimidating pushing it up a ramp onto my trailer, but I did have a couple of helpers. (It's a bit bigger than my current ride! See below)

I wasn't really looking for another bike but Craigslist made me do it.

I currently ride a 1982 XJ650 Maxim with a trunk and a Vetter fairing, that I bought running. I have updated the brakes to SS lines, installed a modern fusebox, checked/changed valve shims, fluid changes, etc with the help of the xjbikes forum where I am also a member.

There's no hurry on the XS11 project, but I believe that with the help of these forums, I can get it road-worthy again!

I'll try to upload a pic!

[madmax-im]

wow nice find...good to hear you're not going to chop it up into a bobber hardtail...we're just sick of ppl coming on here looking for help to bastardize these vintage machines...some folks actually do decent work but most do not...so you'll find plenty of help here...

[donebysunday]

[QUOTE=pbjman;410519]Hello. I am here because I just picked up a '79 XS Eleven Special. 16900 miles.
Not running. No battery. But the Gas tank isn't rusted inside, carb boots aren't cracked, seat is not torn. Has a built-in AM/FM/CB and full touring gear including footboards and heel to toe shifters etc. All I know for now is that the Motor is not seized and it clicks thru all the gears.
I figured I would hook up a battery, compression test, drain the carb bowls, to try to start it etc. and if I can't get her going I may part it out.
It was a little intimidating pushing it up a ramp onto my trailer, but I did have a couple of helpers. (It's a bit bigger than my current ride! See below)

I wasn't really looking for another bike but Craigslist made me do it.

I currently ride a 1982 XJ650 Maxim with a trunk and a Vetter fairing, that I bought running. I have updated the brakes to SS lines, installed a modern fusebox, checked/changed valve shims, fluid changes, etc with the help of the xjbikes forum where I am also a member.

There's no hurry on the XS11 project, but I believe that with the help of these forums, I can get it road-worthy again!

I'll try to upload a pic!

Want to sell that for a profit ?

[Tat2demon]

I think you'll be very happy with the XS11. I wouldnt be suprised if you parked your 650 and made this your new primary bike.

[natemoen]

Very nice! Bring part that out, someone would take it whole off your hands if you give up.

I would love to get that trunk though if you ever want to get rid of it!

[gene]

Very nice. I think I remember that one on Craigslist.

[JFenn]

Schweet!

That is exactly the type of XS11 I'm interested in. (I don't own one yet, I joined the group to assist in my search.) I think you should count on doing more than just draining the carb bowls. I am not experienced with the carbs used on the 1100 engines, but on the ones I've worked on (700 and 750 fours), the idle passages in the bowls tend to get completed obstructed with varnished gas, and sometimes the jets are plugged, too. Don't quit until you've done the thorough carb cleaning and adjustment. I'll bet she'll run like a scalded dawg with clean carbs.

[mikubuilder]

[QUOTE=pbjman;410519]if I can't get her going I may part it out.

I'm close enough, I can take it off your hands ))


[QUOTE=pbjman;410519] It was a little intimidating pushing it up a ramp onto my trailer, but I did have a couple of helpers. (It's a bit bigger than my current ride! See below)

try to push it up the ramp on full size pickup(and no ditches around you )
[Quote]

[pbjman]

Update!

Hi, all! Well, I've tinkered with it a little and here's what I've done/discovered:

1. It was over-full of gas/oil mix, I drained it and got a little over 5 quarts out. I drip-dried the filter and reused it, and put some good clean used oil (2 quarts from the oil change on my Maxim) in the engine. I added one quart of new oil to bring it up to the level in the glass. This is just for tempoary/testing etc. When I get closer to having her run, I'll put in new oil and filter.

1-A. I pulled the gas tank, which was empty, and set it on a bench over a bucket. Added a bit of gas, both petcocks were leaking even when not on prime.

Rebuild carbs and petcocks on the list!

2. Hooked up to a car battery with jumpers and observed that it will crank over, but of course did not really expect it to start. It's missing the little red start button so I pushed in on the spring with a screwdriver. Removed a plug cap and checked for spark with a spare plug, which did spark. Also the radio worked when I tried it, and the spotlights too. I removed the drain screws from the carbs, the outer two were dry but the inner two had some green gas in them.

On the list: check to see if I can get new starter button. (any advice would be great!)

3. Removed lower part of airbox and took out filter. Looked decent, not saturated with oil and not home to any critters. Disconnected the hoses and loosened the carb clamps so I could drop the airbox away from the carbs and there it still sits because it won't fit out sideways. Took out the four old plugs, which was kind of a pain because the outer ones are obstructed by the fairing. Thought to myself I should do a compression test right now while the plugs are out. But I really want to hear this thing burp once so I throw in the new plugs, hook up the battery again, grab the starter spray, and give each carb breif shot. Chug-chug-chug-VROOOOOOM! It only lasted for a secont, but I know it's alive enough to keep me interested. I actually did this a few more times, just because it was exciting and because I wanted to see if all four pipes were showing signs of heat, which they were after a few tries. All four gently warm to the touch, which was a good sign.

to be continued.....

[pbjman]

It's alive!

Oh, by the way, isn't that one bad front fender on this bike!

4. The compression test: I have a loaner from Autozone. I can't run the engine enough to really warm it up, so this is a cold test. I forgot to mention, I had given each cylinder hole a quick shot of Kroil days ago. Since I didn't re-wet the holes, it this considered a 'dry' test?
Results 1 through 4: 120 - 120 - 120 - 125
Seems a little low, but it was a cold/dry test. What I like is the consistency. Somebody tell me if that is a good sign! Plus I don't know the valve clearances yet so I guess that's probably what I will do next time I am available to tinker.

I have the motion pro valve hold-down tool that I use on my 650 Maxim. Is it the same process on this Special? What are the clearances?

Add to list: get a shop manual and start looking for the best how-to threads to save/bookmark from this forum.

5. Man, this thing was hard to push around when I brought it home! Since it's on the center stand in the garage, I tried to rotate the back wheel by hand. Feels like the brake is dragging a bit. I jacked it up a bit to get the front wheel up and tried to rotate it a bit, and it feels like the brakes are dragging a bit! No wonder it was hard to get onto the trailer! Oh well, I knew that rebuilding the stoppers would be part of the deal. But that's not until I get it running.

Future list: brake rebuilds including SS lines, and tires!


Comments anyone?

[jetmechmarty]

You may have the buttons in the original plastic or aluminum.

Starter and Horn buttons and Springs for Yamaha and Kawasaki motorcycles

[pbjman]

Any thoughts on those compression #'s?

Sorry if my update was too wordy; I know most of you guys don't come here to read a novel!
Any thoughts on the compression test numbers I posted at the end of the long post above?

And thanks Jetmech for the link.

[Bonz]

Compression looks great to me, if anything because of the consistency. As far as the brakes take the caliper off, pull the pistons out, see what you got for piston bore condition/ Piston condition. And take a look at the master cylinders to see if the return hole, aka spooge, hole is plugged in either caliper.

[mikubuilder]

you are on the right track with your troubleshooting... make sure you pull those carbs off, break them apart and clean, clean, clean...same goes for brakes.

Might be worth to look for a link or a sticky by Crazy Steve about going through all systems on this bike before you decide to ride it

This forum is a great well of knowledge, like no other, use it and enjoy it