81 Special Project

[mschor]

Yes, checked those wires and got good voltage and resistance readings on them. I'll charge up the battery tomorrow; it's new, but has been sitting in the bike a few months now while I've been studying at XS11 school.

[mschor]

Took the battery out and checked again, measures 12.26v. Back in, still measures 12.26v, Crazy. Headlighy works fine. Cleaned out the carbs fully again and 2 of the pilots were clogged. Plugs are bright white now. Emptied the tank and bits and pieces of black **** and rust in the gas. Bought this tank used, they said it was clean, looked clean enough in the top, but appears **** is getting through both tank and inline filters. So, back to Day 1! literally first thing I did was clean and attempt to seal the the original tank to find it had rusted out behind the emblem. I don't think it needs a liner, just going to use Evaporust, something that won't flash rust. Patience IS a virtue

[mschor]

Anybody near Palm Beach Florida

...feel like giving me a few pointers so I can get this bike tuned right?
I've been working for a good while trying to get it right, but the mixture and sync is still eluding me, or else something else is off. I checked compression this morning and it's very good: 160 +- all the way across. I haven't checked valve clearance yet, but it feels like something is just a little off, especially below about 3000rpm.
I'm going to get tags in a couple days, then I'm mobile. She runs good enough to get around. 100% slips out of 2nd, but I'm not too worried about that right now. If nobody's nearby I'll keep working to get her running right, just thought I'd throw it out there, beer's on me.

[bikerphil]

Mike, I'm down here around Pompano, maybe I can take a look at it for you sometime.

[mschor]

Cool, thats about an hour from me, thank you. I'll message you to find a good tim.
I'm measuring valve clearance today, it's way off according to the manual. Some are below .0025", which is my smallest feeler gauge.
My manual in the H/SH supplement says clearance is:
Intake .004-.006"
Exhaust: .0083--.0098"
Anybody disagree with that?

[bikerphil]

Mike, intake clearances are .004-.006, the exhaust clearances are .008"-.010"

[bikerphil]

Mike, did you get to ride the bike yet? It was good to meet you the other day bro.

[mschor]

I took it up to highway speed today for the first time. It's smooth, but doesn't pull too hard. I think I have to adjust the mixture a little more. #2 is pretty dark & #3 is white. Clutch is slipping a little under power, maybe just an adjustment? It was good to meet you too, can't thank you enough for going through the bike like that. Hearing your bike purr was definitely an inspiration

[bikerphil]

Well it sounds like it's getting closer. I would run a strong dose of seafoam in the fuel tank, may help some. Make sure no fuel lines are pinched especially the one running to 3+4. You can lean out #2 some by turning the mixture screw in a half turn or so. Here is a link to clutch adjustment, when you come to the part about backing out the adjustment screw, I would back out 1/4 to 3/8 turn and not 1/8 turn as it says.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140

[mschor]

Ok, sounds like we're on the same page, I put about 1/3 can of seafoam in it & filled it up today. Why do you turn the clutch adjustment 1/4-3/8 out?

[bikerphil]

It is freeplay, take up the rest of the slack out at the handlebar. The motor must have some power if you are slipping the clutch. They don't really pull that hard until about 4K RPM. I would bet the springs are sacked, common problem. You have regular dino 20W/50 oil in there right?

[bikerphil]

Mike, another thing that is easy to check is if you have the correct TCI unit, sometimes they mistakenly get changed for a 2H7 unit, yours should say 4R0 on it somewhere. The early 2H7 box does not have the timing advance built into it as the 4R0 (81 only) unit. Also be good to check that the vacuum advance dashpot is working with light throttle applied.

[mschor]

It's the correct tci. I shortened the fuel lines a bit to take the excess looping out, switched #2&3 wires and took it for a spin,took it up to about 70. It's a little better but still feels like it's not reaching its potential. When I got back I pulled the plugs and they were all a bit on the dark side. I was heavier on the throttle this time out, maybe that's why?
I checked the dashpot by sucking on the advance hose to see if it lifted the advance, which it did. Is there a better way to test it? If you're up this way again sometime & want to take it for a spin, see what you think, just give me a call, I can meet you somewhere nearby, or you can drop by if you dont mind braving the speed bumps

[bikerphil]

Mike, maybe try turning the mixture screws in a half turn and see if they don't blacken as much, they may have low speed fouled for that last 1/2 mile heading to your place over those bumps. As long as the vac advance holds suction it is good. I might be able to head up that way Wed, I will let you know.

[mschor]

Does this picture come up?