start off right

[BhamminXS]

Hi all new member and soon to be new owner of his first 1100 . It is a 80 1100 another member who lives close enough has graciously offered to sell me when he heard i was in the market. He so far as I can tell and I usual give the benefit of doubt until otherwise but hes been honest as to the condition of said bike. To that extent I have two questions. One, he has stated that the bike is complete but that it needs the second gear fix all xs models seem to be afflicted with, that being the case is it the same fix on the 1100 as it is on say my 750 or 850. I just want to know what im gonna be looking at and since i did the fix on the 850 if its the same then im in good shape there. second , in you guys opinions in what order should i go through this new bike once secured other than say the usual fluids , plugs and wires, fuse box replacement, tires and wheels. Thank you in advance for any and all opinions as i am sure that i will glean valuable information on this my hopefully new 1100 project.

[sethhope]

Be very thorough in your electrical checks. Clean every plug and contact. Check all the vacuum lines and be sure they are connected to the right place. Finally, I recommend a full carb clean.

Hope this helps! Welcome to the xs11 crew!

[3Phase]

Repair and Tech Tips have pictures

Bhammin', it's not difficult to 'fix' 2nd gear but it can be a little intimidating and time consuming to tear into your bike and put it back together.

Before you dive in, read the transmission repair tips and tutorials here on the site to help you understand what has to be done.

Forum | Repairs:
http://www.xs11.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=39

XS11 Info | Tech Tips | Repairs | Transmission:
http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/tech-t...s/transmission


Take your time!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Bhammin,

Okay, I haven't checked into what's required to perform the tranny fix on a 750/850, but as you will see in the links Scott provided, with the XS11, you do not need to split the cases to gain access to the gears to fix them.

The suggestion about the electrical system is spot on, separating, inspecting, cleaning ALL of the harness connectors.....don't forget the ALT to Harness ones behind the fuseblock panel. Also, pay attention to the ground points, not just the battery, but also the harness/Reg/Rect to the frame under the tank. Also the extra engine to frame ground strap behind the engine at the starter. Some folks will even create and add an extra ground strap/cable from the Reg/Rect ground point to the battery ground. Also, clean the ER Stop/run switch, a common place for voltage losses....just be careful not to loose the little BB and spring inside of it. Along the electrical gremlin line, but also ignition problems....see this thread regarding the Pickup Coil wire problem, diagnostics, and repair process. http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543

Another weak link in an otherwise bulletproof engine is the cam chain tensioner. See this thread for info on various approaches to protect against it's failure and severe engine damage!
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...nute+cam+chain
See the tech tips for further info about ACCT's, where to get one, etc.!
Also, don't forget the valve clearance and shims.

As was recommended, a proper cleaning of the carbs will go a long way in providing great performance, and therefore enjoyment!
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36017
Along that line, you will want to inquire of the PO as to what has been done to the bike, and what parts have been changed? We have learned about problems that occur when Generic carb parts (K&L brand) are used instead of Genuine Mikuni with regards to the main/pilot jets as well as the float needle/seats.
BTW, the 80 model year, especially the early months is where some folks have found some bastardized carbs that have a sharing tunnel between the pilot and main jet towers, and therefore, use rubber caps to seal off the pilot jet towers so that they would feed only from the main jet sharing tunnel. BUT if there isn't a sharing tunnel, then they will NOT need the rubber caps, the pilots will feed directly from the float bowl just like the mains. In either case, they both still use the same sized jets of the 80-81 series, not the larger type/size of the earlier carbs.

Having 750/850 should mean that you are familiar with the final drive system, and the need to take the final drive apart from the swingarm for inspection of the driveshaft splines, as well as cleaning/regreasing. It was reported/thought that the ZERK fitting did not adequately lube the driveshaft/final drive junction, but others have reported that with the proper amount of grease applied to it, that it DOES get to the splines. We theorize that folks just didn't apply enough grease, or just didn't bother at all, and so they dried out and contributed to their failure. BTW, once you get the bike running, you may feel that you won't like that the rpms will be a bit high at highway speeds, ie. 5k+ at 70+ mph, and so you may also want to look at this tip to do a final drive swap.
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11703

BTW, you didn't specify whether you have a special or standard model, there are differences both in parts and techniques/repairs. Use this link to verify the model/year.
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396

If it's a special, the front calipers are wonky, with slanted pads, and single swivel mount bolt, and difficult to upgrade. The best upgrade that we highly suggest is replacing the OEM vinyl lines with braided stainless steel lines. Also suggested to take the calipers off, disassemble down to the pistons, to remove the O-ring and clean out the caliper housing O-ring groove....corrosion builds up making the O-ring too tight preventing the proper motion/releasing of the caliper/piston when you let go of the brake lever.

Okay, hopefully someone will chime with any other ideas. Welcome to the madness.

T.C.

[skids]

Welcome to the group. It sounds like you are not too shy about working on the machine.

[BhamminXS]

Skids not shy about it , sometimes thats good sometimes ive found can be not so good if the situation required more research and or knowledge regarding these bikes, but at least even when i jump in head first and shoulda stuck a toe in I at least try to gain value from it , no matter how painful those lessons can be lol Thanks everyone who took the time to respond, I went and look at the bike yesterday and was all i had thought it would, the problem however was the cat selling the bike had other options as well, such as a 78 model with kick start. I love the kickstart on both my 750 and 850 and am now torn as to which way to go. to be perfectly honest im thinking of trying my damnedest to get both. Im not going to be able to get the frame that had began this whole 1100 epic, just too much to ship so im still gonna need two bikes to do what i have in my head. My only hold up is of course what it always is and thats the difference in price i had planned for and the several hundred dollar difference should i try for both. That being said my question is this...If it turns out that i can only get one of these which should I choose. my choices are still the 80 standard that appeared to be in really good shape, or the rarer more powerful and older 78 that is also in decent shape in appearance. most will say the 78 Im sure but i still am curious to your thoughts gentlemen. Again thanks for not only answering my question and making feel welcome but also for the honest and frank opinions ive gotten so far.

[JeffH]

now torn as to which way to go. to be perfectly honest im thinking of trying my damnedest to get both. Im not going to be able to get the frame that had began this whole 1100 epic, just too much to ship so im still gonna need two bikes to do what i have in my head. My only hold up is of course what it always is and thats the difference in price i had planned for and the several hundred dollar difference should i try for both.

That being said my question is this...If it turns out that i can only get one of these which should I choose. my choices are still the 80 standard that appeared to be in really good shape, or the rarer more powerful and older 78 that is also in decent shape in appearance. most will say the 78 Im sure but i still am curious to your thoughts gentlemen. Again thanks for not only answering my question and making feel welcome but also for the honest and frank opinions ive gotten so far.

#1: WELCOME

As you say, get them both and go from there. So what is your end game? You didn't say what you were planning to do. Road Racer? Drag Racer?

Maybe 78' technically more powerful but hello, these are almost 40 year old machines with mostly checkered histories. So rare or more powerful might just be one of those 'feel good' reactions unless you are doing a complete motor rebuild then trying to outrun somebody. Good running is the end game, and if riding on public roads good running and rider skill becomes the main factors in who goes faster.
> or maybe it was the kind of oil? oh no ........ or the brand of tires? oh no .......... just joking since these are hot button topics that get bantered about and cause friction

If you aren't going to get both then maybe look into the differences. Tube Tires vs Tubeless. Carb stuff. Pipes & mufflers. Which floats your boat?

Just throwing out some thoughts. Not sure the end game but either acquisition (or both) would give you something to work on.
Welcome to XS11

Jeff

[BhamminXS]

Jeff I appreciate your candor, so let me also be more concise and im sure some will not like this one bit but my intentions are to have one as stock 1100 as I can feasibly get it, from if not original paint to at least original paint scheme or along those lines . but i will also have a modified version in the hybrid, stripped down kind of street fighter look mainly for tooling around town on. The goal first and foremost for both bikes will be and always has been function first, by far over form. Before anything i will make sure the bikes are first running as they were intended if not designed to, and second that they are as safe as one can make or expect from as you stated forty plus year old bikes or at least coming up on that milestone. I guess my question should of been to the forum as well as what i asked should be if i am in fact lucky enough to be able to swing both bikes which is the consensus the one most would least like to see modified . i am well aware there may be some purist who will say neither but as they have the right to their opinions it will not abate what my intentions are in the least. I can say that i probably will take the advice and consensus of the group as to which would be the lesser of two evils in regards to which bike to modify, but if I get both and that is my intentions one will be when im through no longer a typical xs1100 but my version of one. the other will be babied and handled with kid gloves as far as stock or close to stock as possible. At no time will speed be any factor however as ive gone as fast as i care to in my flying days and only want performance ( not that i by any means wont on occasion or if situations dictate go balls out if i see fit, bet that).

[BhamminXS]

jeff seriously do appreciate the suggestion or if not a suggestion a idea of which to base some planning on., I am always looking to learn whether from study or from the experiences of more experienced individuals , as i progress on these projects I will post as many pics as is justified so that those more experienced eyes can look and i hope also chime in as to what they think, how i can improve if they see an issue as well as their own personal leanings on style and ways to achieve that while not sacrificing performance. i hope you will continue to feel inclined to put it out there as you say and i will continue to snatch up any and all info and ideas . ultimately i know i will do as i see fit i just hope that when that time comes i see fit is because others saw fit to help educate and even enlighten me so that it is an informed response .

[HalfCentury]

I have a 1982 XJ1100. My bike has well over 40,000 miles and the transmission has no problems with the 1st and/or 2nd gear slippage.

On my 1982 XJ650 (very similar transmission) there was slippage when I first acquired it. Changing the oil to Walmart dino juice cured the slippage.

Not every Yamaha 1100 has the transmission slip. I think it depends on how the driver used/abused the transmission.

For sure, if you accelerate aggressively from a dead stop often and you do not have the requisite skills, you will cause the dreaded transmission problem.

[rdmcguy]

Just to clarify....

I am the guy Bhammin xs is referring to as the seller of these bikes, I don't know very much about the 80 standard beyond the second gear issue, It wasn't running when I got it but I did manage to get it running and that is when I discovered the second gear issue, and the seat is shot, It needs all the obvious things , tires battery and a change of fluids.....As for the 78 standard I bought it from a member in Albuquerque a few years back,It had a connector issue on the TCI unit that Capton Zap was kind enough to fix. I checked all fluids and they were all up to the correct level and clean, Also replaced fork seals cleaned carbs and did a general inspection , It even has the original pipes .
The tires have less than 500 miles and the the seat and rear turn signals are not stock.... it rides true and straight , I am not trying to make any money on these just trying to thin the herd , I don't really need 17 bikes, well maybe I do but that is another matter. Just trying to pay it forward for all the help I have gotten here on channel 11, Thanks guys and girls , I hope to see you at this years Colorado rally !!!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey again,

It's late here, so I don't have as much time as I would like to give a really long post, so I'll try to make my points as quickly as I can.

Sounds like the 80 is in better shape and would be quicker and cheaper to get into decent running condition, and it's a special, so it's more of a local running bike. As stated before, it has the wonky swivel front calipers which are very difficult to upgrade much beyond SS lines.

The 78 standard has the 2 bolt mounted front calipers and so are much easier to upgrade to newer dual piston style calilper with a relatively simple adapter bracket/plate.

The 78 does have the larger/taller 17" rear wheel which reduces the variety of tires you can get for it vs. the 80 special's 16" rear. The standard sits lower/flatter and folks seem to modify them for cafe's easier/better than specials.

The kick start functionality is mostly moot, Yamaha eliminated it because IF the voltage gets too low, the ignition system won't fire to start even if the battery can still turn the motor/starter... Yes, it's possible that you might have enough juice in the battery to fire the ignition system if you just kick it vs. trying to use the electric starter.

After market exhausts are essentially not available since all of the major manufacturers stopped making them for the Xs11, Jardine, Mac, Kerker, etc.! SO...having a good set of exhaust on the bike is another plus. With regards to the 78, you may want to make a custom set for it as part of the total custom build.

Hope you are able to swing them both, have fun whatever you do with them.

T.C.

[BhamminXS]

RDMC has been more than upfront regarding the condition of these bikes non of which has dampened my enthusiasm . My intentions still remain and I am in the process of getting together the needed funds for them. i in fact after looking at his stable think he may have overstated their condition just to be on the side of caution which i appreciate immensely as these days it is a rare thing for such honesty as the adage buyer beware usually prevail, not so in this case, again thank you rdmcguy. As to your statement that you dont need 17 bikes i concur and think that little white 350 is the best candidate for letting go but only if i get first crack at it lol jk of course ...sort of. i am by no means comfortable with the 1100 as ive still got issues i cant seem to resolve with my 850 but i do look forward to the aspect of learning about this series and will hopefully at the end if not proficient then at least comfortable enough to know what i am capable of and not capable of fixing myself. I think i may seek assistance with the second gear issue on the 80 just to be on the safe side. rdmcguy if you see this today im gonna have to contact you as that phone will no longer be in my possession and ill have a new number. in my text i just wanted to know the availability of you on friday pertaining to the work mentioned as i am confident i can get the needed party there a.m. friday just let me know when your able and good luck later today.

[IanDMacDonald]

Sounds like you have a lot of different projects going on. Hope it does not get confusing for you.

[BhamminXS]

no i dont think so ive always been at my best under stress for some reason, its then that my brain seems to fire on all cylinders my 850 project is gonna run today or im gonna call that one and pay to have it completed which will clear the path to the 1100s which honestly is where i want to be anyway. who wouldn't want to own and be able to work on the first super bikes.