79 xs11 special NOW Electrical issues

[tyhodge07]

I got my carbs installed back onto the bike. I have aftermarket air filters on each carb, there are 2 hoses from the carb that I assume go to the old air filter box, what do I do with them 2 hoses. Do I plug them? Also there is another larger hose which comes from below the carb and a little more towards the back of the bike that also went to the filter box. Does that get plugged or is it supposed to go somewhere. Trying to get the bike started this week and don't like seeing hoses that lead to no where.

Also, the little block piece that all the hoses run through that screws to the top left side of the carb, where can I find the gasket for it. The part itself is crazy high. I've searched and can't find it anywhere or just don't know the name of the part I guess. Leaking fuel there slowly along with the petcocks

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Ty,

The UPPER carb hoses are VENT hoses, they are NOT to be blocked/capped or the carbs will flood! You can put little lawnmower type fuel filters onto the hose ends to keep bugs and such out, and then just secure them up somewhere out of the way.

The device is called the octopus by US, the vac. control valve for Special. Some folks just toss it and connect the petcocks directly to the carbs, rear spigots, and cap off the front spigots...the petcocks are gravity feed. The Octopus just protects the bike/carbs/engine against accidental flooding IF the carb float needle valves fail....which can then lead to flooding while parked....fuel up from the carbs into the intakes, and down into the engine past the pistons/rings and into the oil thinning it, and if not detected, run the bike and ruin the bearings/engine! OR....again ditch it and just remember to turn OFF the petcocks during extended parking.

Otherwise, check out GeorgeFix on ebay, rebuild kit for it usually comes with parts for the petcocks as well.

You say Individual air filters.....PODS...check out the tech tips regarding pod filters/ velocity stack mod....if you have the inexpensive EMGO brand filters, the mounting lip can obstruct the air flow and affect performance!!

T.C.

[tyhodge07]

Hey thanks for the nice reply. I will grab some tiny filters for the 2 hoses. What about the larger one I mentioned that went to the box also.


And I would like to keep the octopus if at all possible. Just need a cheaper route then what i have seen. It doesn't just leak slowly, it sorta drains. Not sure if I have something hooked up wrong causing air to push it through or what not. Ill look it over again.

I didn't find the. Article in the tech tips.

[jetmechmarty]

The bigger hose is a breather. It needs a filter as well.

[tyhodge07]

Alright, thanks. On the 2 off the carb could you join into one hose then run a single filter instead of having a bunch of small filters everywhere?

Here's a pic of the bike and some mockups. Handlebars should be here Thursday.

[tyhodge07]

Here's what I got for the hoses

[bikerphil]

Those look like they will work just fine.

[tyhodge07]

The little ones were 6 each. But I was going for small and less visible with them.

[tyhodge07]

Got them on, probably going to cut the larger hose down and just let it sit in the air with an elbow. Not many places to throw it without the hose just looking tacky.

[jetmechmarty]

Got them on, probably going to cut the larger hose down and just let it sit in the air with an elbow. Not many places to throw it without the hose just looking tacky.

Don't cut off the stock hose. You might wish you hadn't one day. Get another piece of hose the proper length.

[tyhodge07]

I think I get why your saying that. Is that because it's factory bent or what not? If so, makes sense with how cheap hose is to purchase and just cut.

[jetmechmarty]

I think I get why your saying that. Is that because it's factory bent or what not? If so, makes sense with how cheap hose is to purchase and just cut.

Yes. It's a special formed hose.

[tyhodge07]

I'll take your advice. Lol. So close to getting it started. Not sure how hard synchronizing the carbs will be, but that will soon be the next step.

[BA80]

I think I get why your saying that. Is that because it's factory bent or what not? If so, makes sense with how cheap hose is to purchase and just cut.

If you go to your local auto parts house they have a whole assortment of formed hoses in the back room. You can usually ask them to go back and look and they probably have something something in the correct size that's close enough to fit.

[tyhodge07]

Hey there Ty,

Otherwise, check out GeorgeFix on ebay, rebuild kit for it usually comes with parts for the petcocks as well.

T.C.

I'm not finding anything on this. Do you have a link or another search I can do.