1980 XS1100SG choke lever???

[UncleSpot]

...am I THE only person that's ever had the choke lever on their special break? I got the bike like that, and bought a complete set of carbs off eBay JUST so I could get the choke lever - 'cause I checked with 5 Yamaha dealers, and they didn't have one - it has been "discontinued". I saw another set of carbs at a motorcycle salvage yard - and the lever was broken in 1/2 like mine.

Are there NO after market choke levers out there??

I'm seriously thinking about calling my machinist - the guy that makes (from scratch) ALL my parts for my business - Hammond organ and guitar amp restoration for models from 1934 to the mid 1970s. You can NOT find these ANYwhere and I figure I might do it for this bike as well...

***IF*** I can't find a choke lever my question is: ¿ANYbody else need one of these things?
E-mail me if interested: Ron@unclespot.com

[Dennyz]

It is common for the choke rod to get gummed up and hard to move. If it is not loosened up, the choke lever will eventually bend and/or break.

There are no aftermarket replacements that I know of.

[John]

Another good source may be the XS750-850 Triples. They used the same lever.

[btdtdan]

I also need one for my 81 Special. Guess I best start looking at the local dismantler. What about the little plastic tip? Wonder were we might find those or perhaps melt down an old tooth brush?
Dan

[randy]

Guys,

I got both of those parts NOS from Speed and Sport.

Randy

[randy]

2F3-14975-00-00 LEVER,STARTER 1 XS750 E, F 2F3 4 $28.64

2F3-14968-00-00 CAP XS750 E, F 2F3 4 $14.55

[UncleSpot]

Randy this *is* good information...
- BUT -
FORTY TWO DOLLARS!!!
THAT is obscene IMO!!!!
I can have them custom made by a machinest cheaper, out of a better material, stronger, AND look better...
THIS is the SAME reason I had the XS11 hats done - a better product at a better price...

[trukleon]

choke lever

Hey Unc,, they're supposed to be at a 90 degree angle on your bike ,of course mine didn't start out that way,, just had to tweek it there to work , or something like that!!

[randy]

Sure, Uncle,

I know it sounds outrageous, but sometimes when you absolutely must have that unobtainium part, people will do the outrageous. Besides, my budget was not as restricted as most, so I indulge myself every once in a while. The only other thing I bought from this shop was the fuel tees. Original, NOS and also unobtainium, for only $10 more than the manufactured ones from that guy on motorcyclecarbs.com.

If you would be satisfied with an old rusted (but whole) choke lever, I'd be glad to send you my original one. Let me know.

Randy

[UncleSpot]

Randy,
Yeah, I wouldn't mind having an old rusted 'example' - I could have a few made from that one... I'd send it back to you if you'd want...
XSive regards,
Ron

[Dennyz]

Come on! $42 is not that bad. That is what it cost to fill the tank of my '00 silverado with regular gas. $42 aint what it use to be!

[randy]

Uncle, for the rubber tip, you can use a manifold vacuum nipple cap. It fits perfect. I'll send you my old choke lever, send me your address.

Randy

[randy]

Hey, Ron,

How'd that choke lever work out?

Randy

[UncleSpot]

is YOUR handle on the left? or right??

...well, I learned something 'new' about the differences on some of these XS11s...

when you look straight on to my 1980 Special at the choke lever, the 'handle' (that you grab to pull the choke out) is to the 'left side of center'. The one you sent, the handle is to the 'Right side of center'. ...is that from an XS11 Standard? ...or from a different year?? ...*why* ARE they different???
Could someone look at THEIR XS11, and note which 'side to center' the 'handle' is...? and what year is your bike...?????

...so, I called my machinist and asked him to make a choke lever *SO* "industrial" that *nobody* would be able to break off the handle (AND to the 'left side of center' so it would work on my XS11) ...so far I have one on my XS11, got one that was broken on a set of "spare carbs", and seen another broken one at a local 'bike salvage yard'...

[John]

Good Observation!

The choke lever on the 78 E model carbs that are currently on my bike 'dresses right' and the lever on the 80 SG model carbs that I removed from my bike 'dresses left'. Hmmmm.....