1979 xs1100s ignition issue

[BA80]

From just the looks of the bike, would be an easy one to get back running correctly IMO.

Workin' on it............

[motoman]

this is what I am talking about all the time guys

http://s1274.photobucket.com/user/do...0ec5c.mp4.html

Looks to actually be in decent shape cosmetically. Even still has the stock airbox, which BTW I would keep on the bike not only for better running performance wise, but makes for tuning ALOT easier having correct vacuum draws for correct diaphram operation of the slides. All has to work together, including the use of stock airbox. From just the looks of the bike, would be an easy one to get back running correctly IMO.

[dondons1984]

this is what I am talking about all the time guys

http://s1274.photobucket.com/user/dondons1984/media/VID_20130704_145355_zps6870ec5c.mp4.html

[dondons1984]

I did very carefully. I know that I am going to try some other tips just to see if they will work and hold me over till I get other ones.

[motoman]

greg actually helped me realize I have 2 stuck/jammed/broken idle screws. Anyone have any extras they wanna get rid of?

Glad you found the issue as this thread was gittin' long-winded...lol. Did you get the broken tips out also?

[dondons1984]

greg actually helped me realize I have 2 stuck/jammed/broken idle screws. Anyone have any extras they wanna get rid of?

[skids]

Well, two words that throw up a red flag....'ran fine'. First off, not lied to.....carbs have to be re-synced EVERY time the carb bank is removed and replaced. .....

I think that this is really not necessary unless something critical has been changed such as pilot screw adjustments, or separation of carbs from the bank-o-carbs, replacement of the manifold boots, or anything else that could afect vacuum readings (like shim adjustments).

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Don,

Okay, starting, revving high and then dying, as mentioned could be vac. synch. However, when starting on Choke/fuel enrichener, it will eventually attain a high idle until it's released. But if the fuel isn't flowing adequately you could be emptying the float bowls and running out of fuel!?

You have a special, can't recall if you have the OCTY, think you were the one with the leaky petcock?? Set the petcock(s) to Prime and see if it will keep running. But remember that when it's just idling, it can often NOT be charging the battery and if weak, can actually discharge to a point that will kill the engine! Just some thoughts.

T.C.

[motoman]

right now as of this moment I am doubting that they have been. I know that it ran fine before but now I am getting this so it leads me to believe that I was lied to and that they need to be synced. And what brass things are you talking about? pictures would be nice.

Well, two words that throw up a red flag....'ran fine'. First off, not lied to.....carbs have to be re-synced EVERY time the carb bank is removed and replaced. Second, put another quart in it as you obviously didn't change the filter, least no mention of it. Know its a pain, but your gonna have to do at least a bench sync on those carbs to get things close before blame goes to anything else. Lest do the mentioned and get back with the results.......and slow down a bit....mythodically do one thing at a time and test....just a word to the wise.....

[dondons1984]

right now as of this moment I am doubting that they have been. I know that it ran fine before but now I am getting this so it leads me to believe that I was lied to and that they need to be synced. And what brass things are you talking about? pictures would be nice.

[BA80]

Check all the carb bodies and the brass tubes on them for cracks. Dragon Tamer (RIP) was having a similar problem with a 750 XJ and that's what it turned out to be.

Have the carbs been synchronized?

[dondons1984]

ok so here is the update:

changed the oil but I do NOT think I put in enough. I put in 2 quarts and it is barely in the sight glass. I will be putting more in though.

Here is the problem that is reoccuring though.

I go to start it and it seems to struggle though. I can get it to start a couple times today and it starts fine then goes to a very very high idle then seems to quiet down then dies. WTF?!!! Someone please help cause now I am going crazy on this bike.

[DGXSER]

Standing on the left side of the bike, look down, under the air box area, you will see a bolt/plug staring up at you that should have a hex head wrench opening in it. That is the fill port for the middle drive. There is a tech tip HERE that gives the dimensions of the dipstick for checking middle and final drive oil levels. I always use my Micrometer end to stick down in there to check the depth.

The drain for the middle drive is just in front of the centerstand, facing the back of the bike. Which is sort of the normal location for the oil drain on a car engine, so new owners have been known to confuse it with the engine oil drain. They drain the middle drive, and dump 3 liters of new oil in the engine (the site glass is empty on the side stand which is how they had the bike when doing this work since they did not know better). Leaving the middle drive empty of lubrication, and the engine oil filled up to the pistons.

In your case, perhaps they heard the noise and figured they did not add enough oil, so another quart can't hurt.

[dondons1984]

How do I check the middle drive? I've never encountered that. I'll look it up

[Rasputin]

Time to employ some otherwise useless teenagers or maybe some jack stands or such then. Over filled oil by the amounts stated are huge. Other things like the middle drive may be very empty, regardless of the bikes position.