1981H xs1100 rebuild project, started Feb.2017

[FranksBMW]

After several days out of town after riding the bike successfully around the block, I tried starting it again and it still works!

Are the tires on these bikes tubeless or do they have inner tubes? (Rear tire has a slow leak.)

[mschor]

Very nice bike!

[mcmotohistory]

1981 h

I'm into the third year of restoring my 1981H. Love the bike keep it up and you'll love the finished project.

[IMG][/IMG]

[mschor]

I just took my 81 Special project for a 60 mile trip down the coast at freeway speed. I started breaking into it last November, got it from a guy who left it in his garage for 20yrs. A lot of the same stuff you went through---tank, carbs, brakes, tank again, electrical, tires, carbs again, and again, fluids, a little polish, and a day of much needed expertise from Bikerphil who fortunately lives not too far away. She's about 80% now, not a screamer but I think she'll get there

[FranksBMW]

Thanks! The people on this forum have been quite helpful. Much appreciated!

[mschor]

Good job Frank, it's a great feelin', keep it up

[HalfCentury]

So today I installed the repaired gas tank.(thanks Steve) For the first time since sorting out the throttle cable, I started the bike several times for brief running periods. The key works in the replaced ignition unit (thanks Steve) and the throttle controls the carbs. I adjusted the carb throttle stop so the idle speed was between 1 and 1.2K. My hand just barely fit and rotating the knob was just barely done with contorted fingers.

Weirdly, both horns are kaput. I tested them uninstalled from the bike with direct wires to a spare battery. Got spares, Steve?

I bought inexpensive LOUD horns from eBay. I did the same test of the OEM horns with a hefty power supply and determined that the OEM horns were something to throw when aggravated. 35+ years is a long time to expect a transducer to transduce that is exposed to the elements.

[FranksBMW]

Maiden shake down voyage around the block. Runs well! 😄

[FranksBMW]

Just rode my XS1100 project bike up and down the driveway!

[FranksBMW]

I spent a few hours in the garage during yesterday's rainy afternoon. The brakes are now bled and function well. The stop light responds properly to the hand lever and foot pedal. All lights work properly.

With the bike project coming along so well, I decided to buy a battery for it. I've been using a spare car battery and jumper cables. An installed motorcycle battery will greatly increase my range. (beyond the 6 foot jumper cables.)

The right side side cover had a broken top mounting slot. I reinforced that with a strip of metal with a slot, JB Welded to the inside of the cover. I'm missing the rubber donut that holds the tang into the frame tab.
The other side has the lock tang broken off but the top mounting holes are good and I can secure the bottom with an elastic.

Coming along.

[MaximPhil]

Frank,
Canadian tire carry FIAMM horns that make lots of noise and not expensive. Best mounted with a relay.

Phil

[FranksBMW]

There's an adjusting screw on some horns to change the pitch, try turning it, it may just be cruddy contacts.

Tap the horns on the concrete or with a hammer. The coils and contact points may still be good but if the diaphragm cone is stuck or rusted then it won't tootle.

Or they may be really dead, not mostly dead.

I banged them around a little bit, but I'll be more aggressive. Nothing to lose.

[3Phase]

There's an adjusting screw on some horns to change the pitch, try turning it, it may just be cruddy contacts.

Tap the horns on the concrete or with a hammer. The coils and contact points may still be good but if the diaphragm cone is stuck or rusted then it won't tootle.

Or they may be really dead, not mostly dead.

[FranksBMW]

So today I installed the repaired gas tank.(thanks Steve) For the first time since sorting out the throttle cable, I started the bike several times for brief running periods. The key works in the replaced ignition unit (thanks Steve) and the throttle controls the carbs. I adjusted the carb throttle stop so the idle speed was between 1 and 1.2K. My hand just barely fit and rotating the knob was just barely done with contorted fingers.

Weirdly, both horns are kaput. I tested them uninstalled from the bike with direct wires to a spare battery. Got spares, Steve?

[FranksBMW]

Thank you for the info on the fuses!

My control unit must be from an older bike then. If I remember, the next time the tank comes off, I'll look at the loom end of those wires to see if there's a loose black one.