A bit more help

[Fields11789]

Hey guys, Im a long time reader and recent member. I am in Aus an have been restoring a XS1100RH.

Looks like there is a wealth of knowledge on here and hopefully you guys an set me straight.

Let me start by saying, I am not a mechanic. I am a tinkerer at best. I'm not technically great but hands on and with the tools Im pretty competent.

Anyway...

Heres my issue, (this time)

I purchased this bike not running. Previous owner advised me he started it about 5 years ago.... It was in good shape however there was some rust inside the cylinder due to being left so long and never maintained.

New rings, gaskets, valve seals, thourough cleaning, 2nd gear fix (Gear showed wear and previous owner said it was having that issue) and just other general maintenance.

Tried to start her today. Misfiring out of the air filters, white smoke from exhaust as well. doesnt even sound close to turning over. there were a couple little splutters but not really note worthy... i checked the float levels and i had then set too high (got my measurements from a standard i think) floats are much closer to spec than before. same issue.

Any ideas? could the timing cause this??

Any help would be great!!

[FJ111200]

The timing could be 180° out. Check that gubbins on the left hand crank end.

[Fields11789]

The timing could be 180° out. Check that gubbins on the left hand crank end.

Thanks for the quick reply.

I set the timing according to the cylmers i have. The closest i could could get it to dead on the marks on the cam was +- a few mm.

I will re check it

[Fields11789]

So i just noticed that i had the leads plugged onto the wrong spark plugs (according to my Clymers should it be Coil1 4-1 Coil2 3-2? Seems odd. Im not used to 4 cylinder though.

[FJ111200]

That's right . So in a way I was right .

[Fields11789]

That's right . So in a way I was right .

Haha indeed you were . I haven't started her up yet but I'm sure that will probably help! Its a bit late to be cranking on a big bike this where i live. Especially if she fires into life with the screaming demon exhaust!

Will turn her over tomorrow and see what is what! The battery could use an over night charge after the punishment it received today.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there,

If possible, put a voltmeter across the battery terminals and watch it while you crank it. IF the voltage drops near 10.5 or less, then the battery is too weak....or you have a bit of corrosion in the harness connectors allowing voltage loss...and the ignition doesn't work properly when the volts get too low....will still allow the engine to turn/crank, but not enough to fire the plugs. You can put/connect/jump a booster battery on it when starting it if the bike's battery is old/weak and that can help keep the overall voltage up enough to fire the ignition system.

After putting the bike together, did you try a basic compression test to verify that you didn't bend any valves during reassembly?? JAT.

T.C.

[BA80]

Hey guys, Im a long time reader and recent member. I am in Aus an have been restoring a XS1100RH.

Looks like there is a wealth of knowledge on here and hopefully you guys an set me straight.

Let me start by saying, I am not a mechanic. I am a tinkerer at best. I'm not technically great but hands on and with the tools Im pretty competent.

Anyway...

Heres my issue, (this time)

I purchased this bike not running. Previous owner advised me he started it about 5 years ago.... It was in good shape however there was some rust inside the cylinder due to being left so long and never maintained.

New rings, gaskets, valve seals, thourough cleaning, 2nd gear fix (Gear showed wear and previous owner said it was having that issue) and just other general maintenance.

Tried to start her today. Misfiring out of the air filters, white smoke from exhaust as well. doesnt even sound close to turning over. there were a couple little splutters but not really note worthy... i checked the float levels and i had then set too high (got my measurements from a standard i think) floats are much closer to spec than before. same issue.

Any ideas? could the timing cause this??

Any help would be great!!

Have you joined the Aussie site and talked to them there. Not trying to run you off but some there are pretty knowledgeable.

http://xs1100.com.au/forum/index.php

[Fields11789]

Hey there,

If possible, put a voltmeter across the battery terminals and watch it while you crank it. IF the voltage drops near 10.5 or less, then the battery is too weak....or you have a bit of corrosion in the harness connectors allowing voltage loss...and the ignition doesn't work properly when the volts get too low....will still allow the engine to turn/crank, but not enough to fire the plugs. You can put/connect/jump a booster battery on it when starting it if the bike's battery is old/weak and that can help keep the overall voltage up enough to fire the ignition system.

After putting the bike together, did you try a basic compression test to verify that you didn't bend any valves during reassembly?? JAT.

T.C.

I lapped all the valves and tested for any movement. They all looked good. I haven't done a compression test. Don't have the tool but probably a good investment! The plugs are all firing, checked with one plug at a time out on the cooling fins.
The battery is basically new. Will put the volt meter on it today after work and update.

[Fields11789]

Have you joined the Aussie site and talked to them there. Not trying to run you off but some there are pretty knowledgeable.

http://xs1100.com.au/forum/index.php

Hey. Don't worry no offence taken
No I haven't. I joined on here first because I normally get all my fixes and info from your comrades.
Will look at joining the Aus site soon.

[3Phase]

Right on, Fields!

It might be a very long ride here compared to some of the rallies way down-under but welcome to the forum far up-over!

[Fields11789]

So Murphy's Law strikes again.

It appears my starter motor/clutch may be in a bit of strife...

Looks like the lead switch around fixed the no firing issue. now there is a gut wrenching holy crap problem with the starter motor.

Turned over fine yesterday. Today it just spins and spins. Then when it almost stops spinning you can hear it engage with the gears. like a clicking noise.
But wait there's more.

It cranks over about 2 or 3 turns then spins freely again before re-engaging with the clutch...

Now I'm no mechanic but that's bad right? I've stopped turning it because its a terrible metal on metal noise when it re-engages. Sometimes re-engages while still spinning. I dont want to damage anything else.

So I assume this would be the starter clutch? It has only done 16,000 ks (10,000 miles)

Or can someone swoop in with a Check this first comment and save the day?

I've read that replacing/servicing the starter clutch requires splitting the case? Not something I want to tackle.

(On the bright side, the bike ran for about 3 seconds at one point)

[Fields11789]

Hey there,

If possible, put a voltmeter across the battery terminals and watch it while you crank it. IF the voltage drops near 10.5 or less, then the battery is too weak....or you have a bit of corrosion in the harness connectors allowing voltage loss...and the ignition doesn't work properly when the volts get too low....will still allow the engine to turn/crank, but not enough to fire the plugs. You can put/connect/jump a booster battery on it when starting it if the bike's battery is old/weak and that can help keep the overall voltage up enough to fire the ignition system.

After putting the bike together, did you try a basic compression test to verify that you didn't bend any valves during reassembly?? JAT.

T.C.

Also did the volt meter test.
12.6v with out cranking
11.6v while cranking
Its a new yellow Motobatt battery so expected it would be fine

[Fields11789]

So.... After saying that i went back into the shed and thought, just one more crank. Fired into life. With minor adjustment to the throttle it purrs like a kitten and idles nice and smooth.

Starter motor problem is still there but it doesn't get a chance to be a problem because it starts in 1 crank!

Soo yeah. Feeling a lot better right now.

There is a bit of a rattle noise coming from the engine, i fell like it might be the timing chain. Ill re set the tensioner and see how that goes

[Prothec]

Don't sweat the starter not engaging yet. It needs to grab a shaft to start turning it. Using the wrong oil, cold oil, or weak battery can cause it not to grab. If your oil is right and battery is strong, ride it and it will probably go away after a bit. That's been my experience and others have reported similar experiences.