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Good afternoon!
I recently purchased my first XS11 and cannot wait to get it back to its original glory! As far as I know, there have only been two PO, the first had the bike since newish condition and kept it in very good shape. It was then purchased by the PO I got the bike from who left it in his backyard under the roof runoff for about a year (probably longer). That being said, the bike is still in great shape and has virtually no rust anywhere. All the lights, gauges, and starter still work great.
When I went to look at the bike, it was only running on two cylinders and then wouldn't start at all. After getting into my garage, I changed the oil/oil filter and drained the old gas out of it. I then shortened the fuel lines on both petcocks as I noticed they were both too long and pinched at a 90 degree angle (particularly on the side of the engine that wasn't firing). After those small adjustments it started right up, and was firing on all cylinders. I was pretty excited to say the least and took it around my block to see how it ran. It seemed to me to be running pretty lean, engine was pretty hot and it was sluggish in low and high RPM but good in mid RPM. It was also backfiring on declaration. I did notice that the intake manifolds are pretty old and weather cracked and have already ordered new ones. Since then I have taken it on two very small rides around my block and have noticed the sluggish nature to stay more or less the same along with the backfiring. It doesn't seem to be running quite as hot though. It was letting out some gray/black smoke on the very end of my last small ride and I'm wondering what that is (maybe oil)?
So far my plans to get the bike running well again are to replace the manifolds, as well as replacing most if not all the seals within the engine as I am not really sure when the last time it was done (if ever). I also plan on draining and replacing the transmission fluid as I am sure it needs it. I am totally new to shaft driven bikes, is there fluid I need to replace within that as well? Is there anything I am missing as far as general maintenance before I can pinpoint any real issues if there are any?
Appreciate any help!
I recently purchased my first XS11 and cannot wait to get it back to its original glory! As far as I know, there have only been two PO, the first had the bike since newish condition and kept it in very good shape. It was then purchased by the PO I got the bike from who left it in his backyard under the roof runoff for about a year (probably longer). That being said, the bike is still in great shape and has virtually no rust anywhere. All the lights, gauges, and starter still work great.
When I went to look at the bike, it was only running on two cylinders and then wouldn't start at all. After getting into my garage, I changed the oil/oil filter and drained the old gas out of it. I then shortened the fuel lines on both petcocks as I noticed they were both too long and pinched at a 90 degree angle (particularly on the side of the engine that wasn't firing). After those small adjustments it started right up, and was firing on all cylinders. I was pretty excited to say the least and took it around my block to see how it ran. It seemed to me to be running pretty lean, engine was pretty hot and it was sluggish in low and high RPM but good in mid RPM. It was also backfiring on declaration. I did notice that the intake manifolds are pretty old and weather cracked and have already ordered new ones. Since then I have taken it on two very small rides around my block and have noticed the sluggish nature to stay more or less the same along with the backfiring. It doesn't seem to be running quite as hot though. It was letting out some gray/black smoke on the very end of my last small ride and I'm wondering what that is (maybe oil)?
So far my plans to get the bike running well again are to replace the manifolds, as well as replacing most if not all the seals within the engine as I am not really sure when the last time it was done (if ever). I also plan on draining and replacing the transmission fluid as I am sure it needs it. I am totally new to shaft driven bikes, is there fluid I need to replace within that as well? Is there anything I am missing as far as general maintenance before I can pinpoint any real issues if there are any?
Appreciate any help!
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