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It's a great feeling when the machine meshes and takes off. My current bike is a stock 1980 XS1100 G standard. I am not sure if I got it running so well it has a power ban or if my clutch is slipping.
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80 G -
If the RPM's seem to go up, but you don't seem to accelerate to match, it's the clutch. Get a set of Barnett springs and you should be good to go.Ray Matteis
KE6NHG
XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it! -
Yuppers. U'll get used to them.1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.Comment
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Hey Speed,
The XS11 engine has strong low rpm torque, but yes, there is a power band that kicks in around 4K up to ~7.5K where folks describe the feeling like trying to pull your arms off, depending on which gear you're in when you hit and go thru it!
But as has been stated, if you crank the throttle and the rpms rise, but you don't feel or see your speed incrementing the same, then your clutch may be slipping. Check your adjustment at the engine, as the clutch wears, the clearance reduces and can get too tight.
T.C.T. C. Gresham
81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
History shows again and again,
How nature points out the folly of men!Comment
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Good description. Thank you.Hey Speed,
The XS11 engine has strong low rpm torque, but yes, there is a power band that kicks in around 4K up to ~7.5K where folks describe the feeling like trying to pull your arms off, depending on which gear you're in when you hit and go thru it!
But as has been stated, if you crank the throttle and the rpms rise, but you don't feel or see your speed incrementing the same, then your clutch may be slipping. Check your adjustment at the engine, as the clutch wears, the clearance reduces and can get too tight.
T.C.
My clutch was slipping. I think it is working now (adjusted and cleaned cable). Tuned it up so well now, I had not experienced the power ban on this bike before.
Also, last year, a Yamaha dealer pinched off the vacuum advance because it's broken. I just plugged a vacuum air leak.80 GComment
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81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.Comment
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Hi Speedlimit85,
Welcome to the XS madness. While you are fine tuning your clutch adjustment
Check under the cover for the pivot pin of the lever and give it a drop of light oil. May as well do the brake lever too while you have the 3in1 oil can out. 
Preventive maintenance is a wonderful thing.
Phil1981 XS1100 H Venturer ( Addie)
1983 XJ 650 Maxim
2004 Kawasaki Concours. ( Black Bear)Comment
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+1!...........hi speedlimit85,
welcome to the xs madness. While you are fine tuning your clutch adjustment check under the cover for the pivot pin of the lever and give it a drop of light oil. May as well do the brake lever too while you have the 3in1 oil can out. :d preventive maintenance is a wonderful thing.
Phil81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.Comment
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T. C. Gresham
81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
History shows again and again,
How nature points out the folly of men!Comment
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With respect, to say the XS has "strong low end torque" is a bit of a stretch, IMO. Back in 1980 relatively speaking, yes. Today, not even. Period tests were in agreement that it didn't have much below 3000 to 3500 rpm. I would concur. It is a 610 lb bike that isn't making 60 ft/lbs until after 5k rpm.
This link shows a thread with a dyno chart of the 78-79 and the 80 cammed bikes (post #36). For the 80's and above, 40 ft/lbs around 2k rpm isn't all that much, barely 55 ft/lbs at 3k rpm and dips down before getting back to 55 ft/lbs at 4K rpm and finally hits 60 ft/lbs at 5k rpm. Then is back down at/below 60 ft/lbs when 7k rpm shows up on the tach.
Howard
ZRX1200
BTW, ZRX carbs have the same spacing as the XS11... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35462Comment
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If it's slipping again, replace the springs!!! How old are the springs in the clutch? stock, they have been compressed for 36+ years. New Barnett springs are about $30 for a set, and take about 1.5 hours to install, if you are doing it for the first time. With these old bikes, they really do solve the problem most of the time.
Oh, and notice, I said Barnett! Some of the other springs just don't work, I've tried a few different brands...Ray Matteis
KE6NHG
XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!Comment
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speedlimit85, If you have synthetic oil in the engine, you may get clutch slip. Most of us run dino.2H7 (79) owned since '89
3H3 owned since '06
"If it ain't broke, modify it"
☮Comment
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Well thanks for the welcome and reply's. Back in the day I had a "79 XS1100 bored out to 1179 with an orient express kit. It had a power band!80 GComment
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I do have synthetic oil. I re-adjusted the clutch as it says here in tech tips maintenance. I have said this before... I think I fixed it!
I took a ride and beat on it and no slip (so far).80 GComment
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