Scored It

[Underdog]

Well, 15 hours on the road, an hour to look it over & load , now theres a MNS sitting in my garage. I knew the brakes were needing work. And...although it does run, it definitely needs some tuneing. I suspect the tank and carbs will need cleaning at the least. All in all though, I was quite pleased when I saw it in person. Very nice, completely stock, original for a 24yo bike. Thanks again to this Association/web site for helping me find it. Looking forward to hanging out here with all of you & sure I'll have some questions. Actually, when I saw how much interest there was in these old bikes, it made me even more determined to own one.

[DEmily]

Congrats!

[Underdog]

Fresh Gas

Thought for sure I would be cleaning the tank & carbs on this bike but I just took the tank off, sloshed the stale stuff around real good & dumped it out. Actually dumped it in my truck so it's exhaust may stink for awhile. Put in four fresh plugs, two gal of 93 octane & she sounds terrific! Now I just have to sort out the brakes & get some new tires. Life is good.
BTW, so far, this is easier than working on the Harley!

[Bill__Woods]

I have not tried it myself, but Yamaha has a carb cleaner that you use with a aux fuel tank. You drain the bowls, fill them with the mixture - let it run for a few. Then you let it set for the specified time. Then you switch back to the normal fuel. I have heard this is quality stuff. I just take the carbs apart and make certain they are clean, the old fashioned way. But if the bike already runs good, you may want to try the Yamaha cleaner.

Congradulations on your new Midnight, and welcome to XS ownership.

I can personally recommend Dunlop 491 Elite II tires for the XS. They wear good, look good, and preform all around good even when wet. a set will run you about $200.00 or so.

I have owned my 81 Special for 3.5 years now, and this list and the people on it are First Rate. Mine was given to me after sitting in a garage for 10 years. I have about $1600.00 invested in it now, and it is almost done. I have installed a Tkat Fork Brace, Progressive springs, 4 carb rebuild kits, UNI air filter, TravelCade seat cover, Billet Start/horn buttons, Dunlop elite II 491 front & rear, new paint, and other misc stuff. I also have a new Jardine 4-2 exhaust and an K&N jet kit to install, but I may wait till next season for those to get done.

[Bubba1954]

Congrats on you recent purchase.

I bought my '79 XS1100 just last month and have really been caught up in the fun of restoring this ol' gal. I've already changed out the brakes and after a few hundred miles, the new pads are just now getting broke in real good.

It's sure not as smooth as my GL1500 Goldwing was, but it's a hell-of-a lot easier to work on.

Bubba

http://www.fototime.com/inv/D2743039BB0808E

[pgg]

For anyone owning an old multicylinder 'post classic' I reckon the first things to splash out on should be - 1. a set of vaccuum gauges or suchlike for carb syncing and - 2. a set of stainless front brake hoses.