80 Midnight Special 2k miles- Project

[Brian]

Sad story but great opportunity. My new 80 Midnight Special only has 2010 miles on it and does not have so much as a scratch on it. I was able to pick it up for $800 Because...

While in storage with a blanket over the gas tank, a leak formed in the shed and totally corroded the engine, locked up the carbs and rusted most screws and some other metal. Very sad and I feel so bad for the original owner. Hope pix show:





He needed to sell and I checked it out and bought it. Engine turns over, tank is dry and clean, all lights, turn signals horn, all work! this bike was mint and barely broke in when this happened, but has not run for several years.

HOWEVER, brown syrup came out of each carb and floats are froze in up position. I used 2/3 a can or WD40, including some in the cylinders before I turned it over with the rear tire in 4th. now with battery- turns over good, but floats barely move and cant get the pins out. Already removed and soaked the bowls, mains and pilots and they are good.

Any ideas on removing the pins. Ready to drop top half of air assy and pull carb row for better access.

Also any best practices on corrosion and rust? After I get it running I will start on that and then repaint engine, etc...

Thanks for all the great help!

BTW- trick for removing Pilots- is to press a #7 torx up into it- works every time.

This is my 3rd XS1100. First I bought in 79 and sold in 2007, and now have a red 79 special that I LOVE!!!

[jetmechmarty]

[fredintoon]

- - - floats barely move and cant get the pins out. - - - Any ideas on removing the pins - - -

Hi Brian,
You should completely dismantle the carbs and dose them up good with your favorite carb cleaner.
My best trick to move float pins without busting the support pillars off is to hit the unflanged end with a spring-loaded centerpunch.
I keep one in my toolbox just for that.
Works every time.

[Brian]

thanks Marty for fixing my pix and Fred for the carb advice!!

Brian

[DiverRay]

Plan on getting the "O" rings for the needle seats in the carbs. They WILL split, if they have not already. This is NOT on the '79, just '80 and up. Good price for a VERY low mile MNS!

[Brian]

thanks Diver Ray. I remember those little o rings under the clips.

Brian

[Gmac]

As I recall

there is a tool you can buy that will press out the pin without putting pressure on the towers that in your case I would highly recommend purchasing due to the stuck condition you have.

Also, heat is your friend if you use a soldering iron, would NOT recommend a torch or heat gun here. Just place the tip of a 30 watt iron against the fat side and squirt it with penetrating oil, then use that press.

[jetmechmarty]

there is a tool you can buy that will press out the pin without putting pressure on the towers that in your case I would highly recommend purchasing due to the stuck condition you have.

That tool is available from Randakk's Cycle Shakk.

[DiverRay]

I just did a '79 with a float that would not move. Used Berryman's B12 Chemtool spray to clean around the float base/pin. after about 20 minutes, I could move the float again. It STILL took a while to get the pin out, but I was able to without breaking posts.
With all 4 stuck, try and make a pan from foil that will allow you to soak JUST THE BASE AND TO THE PINS of the carbs wit ha GOOD cleaner. that should help loosen everything. And yeah, you will have to pull the carbs and really clean them well to get the bike to run correctly.

[Brian]

thanks everyone. I will remove the carbs today and try the Berrymans- I use that stuff a bunch. Greatly appreciate everyone's insight and advice.

[Brian]

And if the Berrymans doesn't work I will buy the tool.

Do any of you ever use a wire wheel on a drill for corrosion?

Thanks again, Brian

[jetmechmarty]

And if the Berrymans doesn't work I will buy the tool.

Do any of you ever use a wire wheel on a drill for corrosion?

Thanks again, Brian

That depends upon what. I don't believe that will be appropriate on aluminum.

[Brian]

THANKS, yes, I was thinking of the aluminum, but not using a steel brush. Not sure if there are brass or other materials.

[Donmystic1]

Hi Brian,
I have most of those corroded parts thats you need to refinish in my bins.

Send me an email for photos

Don _ rich @ sbcglobal.net

[IMG][/IMG]

[crazy steve]

Here's the carb rebuild pictorial.... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36017

Be aware that Berrymans will eat all the factory paint off the carbs.

You got a real score; a complete, unmolested stock bike with a good OEM exhaust. Cleaning all that corrosion off will be a chore. If you know anybody that does powdercoating, he's your new best friend... LOL. The damaged 'gold' parts will be difficult to restore without replating. Do a search for Mack's threads on his restoration of a MNS for tips. Keyword is 'Spica'.