Rising from the ashes

[DiverRay]

I have a couple extras here with the nuts, but there was two sizes used and I'm not sure which you have. If you can back out one of the OEM ones, you can take that to Napa and they can probably hand a couple new ones right over the counter.

You can also get a "package" from NAPA for the Chevy small block motor exhaust. The '86 up uses the same stud size as the XS11. They are a little longer, but still work well. They also come with new nuts, so it's all in one package.

[Blank Slate]

I got some good info talking to Mack yesterday. I'll have to pick up a motorcycle/atv stand to work on this puppy.

[IanDMacDonald]

I got some good info talking to Mack yesterday. I'll have to pick up a motorcycle/atv stand to work on this puppy.

Not going to work well with the XS. Most of those stands are made for V-twins with side pipes. What you'd need is a motorcycle lift.

[jetmechmarty]

The ATV lift works with the exhaust removed.

[Blank Slate]

Okay ... I had a little setback yesterday when my iPhone suffered water damage and I couldn't connect to the world for 24 hours. Gotta use a laptop to till the phone is replaced.

Success! I got the exhausts off. Ironically while listening to Don Henley's "how bad do you want it"

I bought a motorcycle lift from CDN tire and a SnapOn ratchet tie down set from Costco to keep the bike secure when I do lift her. I'm just not sure exactly where the lift should be placed on this bike to lift it up. The sidestand is annoyingly in the way.

[DiverRay]

You may want to fab something that bolts to the lift, and has different height saddles to fit the XS11.

[mack]

Lift

Pablo: mine came with adjustable saddles "v"'s that the frame will sit in, and outriggers to further steady the bike while the jack is in the raised position. But as Ray said, if yours didn't then you can fabricate something similar. They usually have threaded holes in the platform to attach stuff to. Just bolt a couple notched cross pieces like 2x4's that the frame can sit down in a bit.

[Blank Slate]

I don't even know why I need the motorcycle lift in the first place when I am taking the bike apart

Gas tank has been emptied.

I've been removing rust from the exhaust pipes for a week. Hard work.

I power washed the engine.

Removed the seat which was totally rusted. I will try to build a custom seat myself.

Next drain a bunch of fluids and clean the electrical connectors.

It doesn't run yet, but it is interesting to learn about these bikes bit by bit.

[jetmechmarty]

Now would be a good time to check and adjust the valves. Lots to do, for sure.

[Rasputin]

If you wanted to minimize those dents in the headers, you can do it relatively easily. I have three different sized steel balls welded to pieces of chain, one chain on each side of the ball. I first use the smallest one and basically feed the chain thru the headers. Then using the steel ball like a slide hammer, I pull on alternating ends of the chains to hammer my way thru the dent. Then I use a size up and then another size up etc until I am happy with it.
It would take someone better than me to get it perfect but it certainly will bring it round again, and look better.
I get the steel balls from a down-hole pump company locally. They are used and do not cost me anything. A tapered slug could be home made and work too, just depends on what you want to achieve.

[Blank Slate]

If you wanted to minimize those dents in the headers, you can do it relatively easily. I have three different sized steel balls welded to pieces of chain, one chain on each side of the ball. I first use the smallest one and basically feed the chain thru the headers. Then using the steel ball like a slide hammer, I pull on alternating ends of the chains to hammer my way thru the dent. Then I use a size up and then another size up etc until I am happy with it.
It would take someone better than me to get it perfect but it certainly will bring it round again, and look better.
I get the steel balls from a down-hole pump company locally. They are used and do not cost me anything. A tapered slug could be home made and work too, just depends on what you want to achieve.

That is a good idea.

Today I emptied the middle oil, rear wheel oil , and the brake oil on steering wheel. The first two oils smelled like dog sh*t. nasty

[Rasputin]

Which vehicles steering wheel did you empty the brake fluid on to? I would imagine that brake fluid on any steering wheel would be a bad thing!
Just yanking your chain a bit, as bikes do not have a steering wheel. Well some do but they do not count as much...

[Blank Slate]

Rasp Dude, I am moving so slow on this project I want to cry.
Took me two days to undo a stripped screw on the "handle bar"
Too many projects on the go. I'm doing a 35' retaining wall for the first time and once I get that done (couple weeks) I can plunge into the xs.
Jealous seeing other bikes on the road.

[Blank Slate]

Took out the carbs and will give them a cleaning this weekend.

Re: electrical wiring. Wouldn't it be better to just replace all the wires and connectors on a 35 year old bike instead of cleaning them?

[DiverRay]

Yes, if you want to build a new harness from scratch, you CAN replace everything. It's MUCH easier and cheaper to clean as much as possible, and go to http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/ to get the connectors and all you need to get it fixed. Most of the time, it's just the plastic housing that's gone. The connector to look at is the 6 pin behind the fuse block that is from the alternator. It has a bad habit of corroding, getting hot, and then melting. Tony has all the parts for repairs, including a nice reg/rec.