Taken to the shop...?

[sethhope]

How many miles on the bike?
Stock exhaust or something else?
Have you checked the valve clearances?
Cam chain adjustment?
Timing?
Stretch check pick up wires?
Vac leaks caps on sync ports?
Are you running PODs or factory air box?
Did you look at all jets to check for the correct # installed?
Did you make sure all the jets in the bottom of the bowls are clear?
Did you pull the emulsion tubes under the main jet? (not sure if this year 2 and 3 were different make sure in the right position)
Did you remove the air fuel valves and clean ports?
float set to proper height?
sounds like not sync with gauges?
Gas vent cap clear?

This would be helpful before I look at it.

78000 i believe on the odo.
Stock everything as far as i can tell
Didnt check valve clearance.
Cam chain wasnt checked (probs should...)
Timing looked right as per the manual
Pickup wires were replaced and checked with a meter
Vac lines and boots were replaced
Factory air box
All jets are correct
Jets have been cleaned 5 times now...
Emulsion tubes were pulled and cleaned
What are the air fuel valves? Mixture screws?
Float height set
No guages to sync with
Gas vent cap is clear.

[Eastcoaster]

Ok sounds like you are well on your way
Thinking round one would be easier to come to you than haul the bike I am still thinking carbs for starters. I can come to you sync the carbs and set the air fuel it might do it. I can bring a set of good carbs to try if the problem still persists off one of my running 79 bikes to rule out the carbs
If the problem continues you can haul to my location I have every part it could possibly be and we will figure it out.
I will look at my schedule tomorrow and see what we can work out PM me your address so I can get an idea where you are in Quakertown If you have a pix of the bike please post

I have my daughter graduating from Drexel this weekend I have to check with what is going on

[BA80]

Unless the tech at the shop is 50+ years old and has been I the business all his life, he really won't know much about the XS.

just sayin'.

[Dbshea]

How many miles on the bike?
Stock exhaust or something else?
Have you checked the valve clearances?
Cam chain adjustment?
Timing?
Stretch check pick up wires?
Vac leaks caps on sync ports?
Are you running PODs or factory air box?
Did you look at all jets to check for the correct # installed?
Did you make sure all the jets in the bottom of the bowls are clear?
Did you pull the emulsion tubes under the main jet? (not sure if this year 2 and 3 were different make sure in the right position)
Did you remove the air fuel valves and clean ports?
float set to proper height?
sounds like not sync with gauges?
Gas vent cap clear?

This would be helpful before I look at it.

2/3 should be different emulsion tubes on a 79

[ERM83]

seth and eastcoaster: I wish I was home visiting (i'm from around the Lehigh valley (Nazareth), and really wished I was home visiting! i'd come meet you guys to hang out, ride, and learn some stuff! seth, being your age (not sure of your size) and getting a beast like that as your first bike...ballsy move! much respect, and be careful! i'm still in the process of getting used to mine (work to be done)! I DO have a question pertaining to the emulsion tubes...just dipped my carbs, had everything separated, then LITERALLY ran into my roommate, and all of it got mixed in together. From watching some videos, it looked like one of the four-holed tubes came from carb 3. is it the four holed tubes in 1 and 3, then the three-holed in 2 and 4?

BA80 is right...listen to him, and everyone else on here! you'll be on your way in no time. tarheel is right as well...the fun is definitely all in working it, or modding it if that's your thing. hell...I just ordered a ton of stuff over the past week. my valve keeper tool, inline cleanable fuel filters, and valve stem seals ALL got here today, and I bought a heavy duty extension cord just so I could put a floodlight my bike (I live in a condo complex...no garage for the time being), and work on it! i'm about to change those seals in a second. good luck, and keep us up on your progress! WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION, KID. it's gotten to the point for me to where i'll diss the ol' lady sometimes just to listen to some jams, and work on this thing!

[Bonz]

With respect to "dealers change my tires", I was referring to the local shops here in Colorado Springs as not getting anything else because I can do it all myself. No need to "go there" and even ask if they could do anything else. Been working on cars all my life, and the past 10 years since I got back into riding have exponentially increased my knowledge and understanding of motorcycles, specifically UJM style (carbureted) bikes. Gotta be able/willing to stick my neck out and just do it.

The dealers here do a good job with mounting and balancing the tires.

LMAO "They miss the big arrows"! I never had an issue but for sure YMMV at dealers in other locales!

[ERM83]

Been working on cars all my life, and the past 10 years since I got back into riding have exponentially increased my knowledge and understanding of motorcycles, specifically UJM style (carbureted) bikes. Gotta be able/willing to stick my neck out and just do it.

YES...THIS! I grew up hanging out with my dad and uncles in various garages, watching them work on ltd's, and xs'. Not only sentimental value there, but also, I have the masters of these awesome machines advising me: them, and you all. RIGHT ON.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Seth,

With 78K miles, I would definitely check the valve clearances. They wear closer due to the hammering of the valves into the seats, so the clearances actually NARROW with wear, and if they are too tight, then you will not get the proper flow and that can surely throw off your ability to synchronize them. Also, if you can get a compression tester, those values would be nice also....but ONLY after you check/set your valve clearances to spec.

IF any of them are like .004 or smaller, then Eastcoaster may need to bring his collection of valve shims and bucket compressor tool before he tries to synch the carbs....just saying!

T.C.

[sethhope]

So i started her and took a video so yalls could hear how shes running... or rather not running...
https://youtu.be/L_I2eAnjOyo

[Eastcoaster]

Seth,

I Just got back from Graduation in Philadelphia and have to do it again tomorrow all day We had the business school today and the entire class tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park. I will reach out Sunday if I survive the party's tomorrow night and see if you have an hour or 2 on Sunday That bike is not sounding good at all. To save some time like TC stated research checking valve clearances. If you can verify the numbers and see where they are will save a lot of time. I have the tool to change but my shim stock has been depleted. Please post more pix if you can it looks to be a bit of a frankin bike the turn signals are for a special. I am sure its a standard from the gauges and tank but they are not the correct signals. Can you post the serial number on the engine and verify it matches the number on the frame I am still wondering if the carbs are right but I can go through them.. Have you done a compression test? Let me know what you find I am thinking of bringing a good set of carbs and see what happens/
Have you put any miles on the bike? I usually like to get a good 100 on sitting bike before I zero it in

[mack]

Just curious

What's the number on the TCI and the serial number on the motor? If it's possible Eastcoaster see if the governor matches as well.

[sethhope]

Motor is 2h7-020440
Frame is 2h7-020440

Afaik this bike was dropped and had body work done to it... i have the old turn signals as well as a guage set from a 79 special. My guess is the repairs were done with a special parts bike.

[sethhope]

Also, sidebar, i think i have the wrong brake pedal.. i think i have the one from the special... mine doesnt clear the exhaust pipe.

[BA80]

The brake pedal from Standard and Special are the same. If you have an aftermarket exhaust, like a Mac, it might hit. It can usually be corrected by loosening and adjusting the exhaust or by simply bending the pedal a bit to clear.

[Eastcoaster]

Just Back

Met up with Seth this afternoon

Overall the bike is in good condition it was garaged most if not all of its life.
It is in much better condition than the video led me to believe.

It has some wire cannibalization but not too bad and Seth has made some revisions to the wiring Headlight relay bypass and the off on off switch is trash but otherwise complete. The brakes are good and the forks appear to be recently re sealed or at least in great shape.

The problem is in the carbs I brought some parts to review with Seth to make sure he understood how to clean. There were a few thing he missed and I think is the root of his problem. Emulsion tubes not pulled and pilots not cleaned right on all the holes.

He is going to adjust the throttle cable it was tight and I could not get below 1500. I removed it to try and at least sync the carbs a little even though more cleaning needs to be done. It was way WAY out I got 1 and 2 on and 3 and 4 on but could not bring the two around. I told Seth to go over the carbs again get them clean and also check the mechanical function between carbs 2 and 3 to be sure the adjustment is not frozen or if for some reason the plates will not move
Seth is going to make the corrections and I will go back and sync the carbs right. I did not want to do too much of the work unless Seth is stuck that's how we learn and Seth is all over it.

The bike will not take more than a few hours to get it completely right. We went over a few things to do not much really left.
He changed all the fluids but I told him to download Catonicbugs dip sticks I think he has the levels off.
I will see if I have a right control switch and get the bat switch off.

It wont be long Seth will be on the road