Shifts hard and motor is revving at 1500 rpm's

[XS 1100 Rick]

Well I finally had the 78E out for a cruise today 50 degrees out put about 20 miles on it all city driving stop and goes. Now is it normal for it to shift hard in all gears I am running 10w40 Castrol 4 stroke motorcycle oil in it fresh oil just changed it last week. When I started out it was shifting pretty smooth as it warms up it shifts hard what's with that. Or are they always this way I'm new to this bike so just wondering. Also when you stop at a red light the motor is revving at 1500 rpms is there a way to set the throttle on it so it an revving when its warmed up . It really clunks when you put it in 1st gear when its revving Not Liking That LOL!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks..

Rick

[natemoen]

The XS11 does shift hard, some say it is like a Russian tractor. 20w50 is the recommended oil but many use a 10w40 as well. Some oils do calm the transmission down more so than others though so try a few different things and see what works best for your bike.

The revving: There is a main idle adjustment knob on the back top side of the carbs (if you have the original early model carbs) that you can turn that will raise and low the idle. If you have no done a vac sync on the carbs yet that also causes a wandering idle.

[BA80]

Sounds like the idle speed was set when the engine wasn't fully warmed up. Adjust it down to about 1000 RPM when it's fully warmed up. It might want to die when it's cold but it is what it is.

The clunk into first is most likely due to the high idle. Like Fred says, these bikes shift like a Russian tractor anyway. Once you get used to shifting it it'll get less clunky.

The 10w40 might be a little light but then your up in the frozen north and it's probably OK in lower temps.

[motoman]

Well I finally had the 78E out for a cruise today 50 degrees out put about 20 miles on it all city driving stop and goes. Now is it normal for it to shift hard in all gears I am running 10w40 Castrol 4 stroke motorcycle oil in it fresh oil just changed it last week. When I started out it was shifting pretty smooth as it warms up it shifts hard what's with that. Or are they always this way I'm new to this bike so just wondering. Also when you stop at a red light the motor is revving at 1500 rpms is there a way to set the throttle on it so it an revving when its warmed up . It really clunks when you put it in 1st gear when its revving Not Liking That LOL!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks..

Rick

Idle setting warmed up may need adjusted. Idle mixtures and carb sync may need attention.

As for the clutch, adjustment is likely needed(under round outside cover of clutch cover on right engine side) FIRST. Loosen cable adjustment first, then adjust throw-out bearing, then re-adjust cable. Without alot of yrs. riding practice, these shift like a Russian tractor. Alot of practice, you'll never feel the actual shift when made. Do U have Clymer's or equilalent manual? Unless you have 30+ yrs. experience with these particular bikes, you'll need one. Manual has been made available for download here on site from member CatotonicBug.

Your oil choice is fine. 20-50w is gonna be best year-round option unless your invincible still, riding in extreme cold regularly.