Well what would someone like to give me for it

[MPittma100]

Oh Well

I guess I should not even have a bike as I suck working on it. Seems like one step forward and two back, I am so sick of doing everything I can and have the problem still just as bad or worse.

cant afford a mechanic
cant do it my self
I guess I just need to sell it for what I can get for it and move on. I am sure you all wont miss me a bit when I don't have a 11 to bitch about

If you are determined to sell it, go ahead and post some pictures, pricing and what all you think it needs here first. If no luck, try Craigslist.

[CaptonZap]

I'm with you Steve. Good, unbroken carbs are getting rare, and impatient attemps at cleaning them don't increase the remaining pool.
It takes a strong man to admit that he is playing in the wrong arena, but doing so increases the likelyhood that more damage isn't done to the bike, and he can get a "hop on and ride" bike to fulfill his desire to ride.
For some, the ride is the goal. For others, it is fixing a recalcitrant machine.
To each his own.
CZ

[fredintoon]

Well all just as I figured I kept messing trying to fix my carbs from leaking out the air box. Well today I broke off the post on Carb 2 and am done so, whats the bike worth to someone or what should I do with it - - -

Hi Jeff,
it ain't worth much if it don't run, eh?
If you can't fix the bastards perhaps you can replace them?
You could buy a working carb rack for ~$100 or so + shipping and install them to get the machine working again.
Once it's running it'll sell more easily or perhaps you will change your mind and decide to keep it.
BTW, carb posts mostly get busted off when you botch pulling the float pin.
I punch them out with a spring loaded automatic centerpunch.
Done several that way and they've all just flown out of there no problem.

[stgober]

On my bike a couple times gas was leaking out the airbox (after a wheelie and hard landing ahem!) I found a good rap from a plastic handled screwdriver on the left and right end carb body's and the stuck float becomes unstuck and the gas flow returns to normal. I read here that they tend to do that on these carbs from time to time and it is not necessarily a dirty carb situation but rather a hardware issue, there is a post on it in the maintenance section here, that recommends a different or add in piece, can't remember at this moment exactly the wording.

[clashpistol]

Sounds like you need a hug?

Hey Jeff in Tampa, Jeff in Buffalo NY here,

I just saw your post here perusing. I am sorry that you are getting frustrated. I named mine Medusa because when I fixed one issue 6 more would come up.
I purchased mu 79'SF (Special) about 3 years ago with a 79' Standard with 2 titles for $900. The seller listed and pictured the one bike as running on Craigslist. It had the touring package. He couldn't get it to start. It had compression and spark. He had been riding up to the previous fall. It had about 34,000 miles on it. The bike was his dads and they were farmers. The barn was filled with tractors, wheelers etc and he seemed like a square shooter. When I found out there was the standard almost complete with the title I closed the deal for $900. I got it home and got it running. It ran pretty good but it would flood the airbox at times. It looked hideous because there was Moses on the gas tank and Jesus on the cross and Jesus holding a lamb respectively on the hard bag lids. I don't go about things have cocked. I got into it and disassembled the entire bike and went through everything but engine. (Aside from Barnett Clutch pack and springs and valve adjustments.)
Just so you know I have been there with the carb posts breaking. Been there done that too. There is a place you can send the carbs out to to get fixed for like $45. a post. I tried JB weld too at first then had flooding issues again. I found a post here I think on how to repair. I cut float pin tower flat with a dremel cut off tool. I bought a NEW tap and drill set. Used brass screws. I ground the sides flat where pin hole is and drilled for the pin hole. I screwed my brass posts in after throughly cleaning holes with starting fluid and drying and threading in level with thread lock on the threads, At this point I have had my carbs in and out at least 20 times.After a few times I got rid of the air box and got individual filters. I have replaced main and pilot jets on numerous times and finally got it right. Yesterday I did a throttle chop and it is running like a scalded cat and plugs are perfect color. It climbs hills in 5th strongly at 90.
I could go on and on my advise is be patient. I could go on and on about the mistakes I have made and how much time and money I have wasted but the proof is in the pudding and my ride is SICK!!
I started out without alot of money and felt confident working on a Vintage bike. The best thing I got from this experience is that I screwed up and done good. I did not realize I had chosen the World's 1st Super bike. One thing I can say is like you without finding XS11.com, I would have probably given up. It has been instrumental in my success TopCat has answered every question I directed to him and everyone has helped me along the way.
I had to do the 2nd gear fix TWICE. It was great the 1st time and a few thousand miles later first gear was slipping grinding. What I found was that my shift lever was not fully engaging 1st gear. The second time was hard to face. I got a new yamaha tapered gear and did the washer swap and it feels bulletproof. When I was removing the countershaft bearing on the 2nd fix I broke an ear off the counter shaft bearing housing because I did not push out the shaft from the other side and tried to pry it off gently. I thought it was the end of the world. I took it to a local welding shop and they fixed it a s good a s new. There is a lot of pride in doing yourself.
In closing I hope you did not sell the bike. You have history with it. Its paid for and when you get it right it will be well worth your troubles. It seems now you have a place to work on it and you are older and wiser. Have patience and a beer. Some things will be a war of attrition but stay with it read your manual and come to xs11.com. Everyone here has been there done that. You are not alone. If I can help you out, let me know.

All the best,

Jeff Bennett

[mrhammer2u]

Sounds like someone needs to go buy a new Yamaha Bolt. Sweet ride for the price!

I get super frustrated too. I'm a mortgage guy, not a mechanic. Nor do I have time to fix everything myself. It's riding season,..not fixin season.

[Bonz]

JIT has been posting in another thread that is 4 pages long now (60 posts worth), his trials are documented if anyone wants to read up. I think he is on the path to success, just broke a post.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43908

I don't have a carb body to send him, does anyone have one? Or as was posted in this thread, a set of carbs he could plug and play with? And there isn't anyone in his area?

Otherwise, Jeffintampa you are a lot closer to getting the bike running than you think. Get the post fixed, get a new float and I think you are gonna have a running bike.

[rdmcguy]

or maybe something a bit sportier?

Having test rode both the Bolt and an FZ 09..
While the Bolt was pretty nice..the FZ 09 put it to shame for the kind of riding I enjoy ....
Might want to try both before you put your money down

[mrhammer2u]

Having test rode both the Bolt and an FZ 09..
While the Bolt was pretty nice..the FZ 09 put it to shame for the kind of riding I enjoy ....
Might want to try both before you put your money down

Both look like great rides but I'm sure ride totally different given the looks. I just figured he would like the Bolt since it was more closely related to the XS...IMO

Ever ride the new V Star and/or Stryker? I've been considering a newer cruiser with a bigger motor for the longer trips. My current ride is more suited to bar hopping

Sorry if getting off topic. But OP may be interested...

[Jeffintampa]

Both look like great rides but I'm sure ride totally different given the looks. I just figured he would like the Bolt since it was more closely related to the XS...IMO

Ever ride the new V Star and/or Stryker? I've been considering a newer cruiser with a bigger motor for the longer trips. My current ride is more suited to bar hopping

Sorry if getting off topic. But OP may be interested...

I know, I have many time tried to figure out what I would get next if I ever sold or traded mine. (I have had it 6 years) But my feelings are...
I don't want a Harley feel I will look like those wanna be's
Most of the other crusers look like Harleys big v twins.
52 year old men don't ride crotch rockets.

Probaby would look for a XS750 as I have had a 1980 650,850.1100 only one I haven't had....

[Bonz]

And when the carbs need work you are going to do what with the XS750?

I would recommend a newer bike with fuel injection, period.

Look for a 2007 and newer Suzuki Bandit 1250S. Lighter than the XS, monster motor down low and in the midrange, lots of performance mod's that are plug and play if you want to unleash the beast. If I wasn't comfortable with carbs and didn't like my ZRX1200, I would be ALL OVER the Bandit 1250S. Great upright riding position and room to move around on the bike. Liquid cooled works great in hot climates.

Rode a used one a few years ago at a dealer, and also owned a Bandit 1200s for a while. Great bikes!

[motoman]

On my bike a couple times gas was leaking out the airbox (after a wheelie and hard landing ahem!) I found a good rap from a plastic handled screwdriver on the left and right end carb body's and the stuck float becomes unstuck and the gas flow returns to normal. I read here that they tend to do that on these carbs from time to time and it is not necessarily a dirty carb situation but rather a hardware issue, there is a post on it in the maintenance section here, that recommends a different or add in piece, can't remember at this moment exactly the wording.

That is NOT a hardware problem, and these carbs are NOT notorius for that issue, but if you wanna beat on the carbs instead of correcting the problem, so be it..

[Bonz]

I alluded to that as well, even posted the thread link this has been talked about in for the last week. How does a rap with a screwdriver fix a broken float post he posted about in the start of this thread?

[Jeffintampa]

Thanks so much

Thanks I will have to go look at that bike. My wife says I look like an old man riding a bike not cool lol. I tell you what that bike has gotten me 30k miles with just oil,brakes,cluch sprng,tires. I paid 1200.00 It really don't owe me a thing.

The Carbs were past what I could do. I had cleaned out the seat holes, new O rings, cleaned out the seats, new needles, set the floats dead nuts, had em synced before taking them out, and still flowed out the air box. Ok I am done I did what I can do. Making plans on sending them someware and a friend stopped by to help. Great lawnmower repair guy good friend I was willing to let him try, broke a post. Well I am looking at a couple options
Put everything as is in a box and send to .........(cant think of his handle)
Got a couple leads on a whole new bank, and have them sent to ..........,

I like to see if I can send or buy or ?????

The end game for me would be open a box, put em in the bike, turn on the fuels, bike runs as should. Worth twice the money like that.

You all are great, I am a horticulturist and Arborist if ever you need anything from me feel free to ask

[DiverRay]

The end game for me would be open a box, put em in the bike, turn on the fuels, bike runs as should. Worth twice the money like that.

That is a great dream. Remember, once they go back on they WILL need to be synced to YOUR engine. The good news, you should be able to find a shop that can do that for you for about $150, or less. The GREAT news, once it's done, the bike will be as smooth as ever, and probably go another 30K without much needed.