Hi everyone, I need some help.

[jacker]

Hi Everyone,
First let me tell my story, I work for a motorcycle shop, and have had some really good luck with finding bikes. My dad's co-worker overheard him one day talking about me and my job. He told him that he had a motorcycle that I could have, if I wanted it. Of course I said yes, and went and picked it up. Now, your probably thinking, oh yeah, If he is giving it away it must have been a piece of crap! Well, I thought so to, untill I got there and had a look. What I found was a really dusty, totally original '79 XS1100 Special (it did however, have a aftermarket exhaust). Well, it gets better, I looked at the speedo and its got about 5,600 original miles on it. So, I have been playing with it a little bit, when I can and I have been rebuilding the carburetors. All I need now is to know what the float height and air screw settings should be. If anyone could help me I would really appreciate it. I have been trying to get a manual for it, but they are going for around $70 on ebay. Oh yeah, the other day, I went and met the guy that gave me the bike and he gave me the king queen seat and the original exhaust system (in near perfect condition). Thanks for any help and I look forward to getting to know this forum.

Josh

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Josh,

Congrats on a great find. The Float heights are 25.7 + 1.0mm measured from the bottom gasket flange. The pilot screws start at 1&1/2 turns out from gentle seat, then adjust per colortune, or plug reads, whatever you like. Check out the tech tips, lots of info on these machines with special info specific to our machines that you may or may not be familiar with depending on the age of the bikes you currently work on, and your present age/experience!? Take a look at the ZEUS thread, you'll see what a CHERRY 79SF should look like, but sounds like yours is probably close! Take your time, and then enjoy the ride!
T.C.

[pathfinder]

Why can't I ever be that lucky? Nice find and and even better price. Welcome to the forum.

[turbopete]

Wow nice find. I thought mine must be one of the lowest-mileage 1100 models around at 7000 miles. Congrats mate, and good luck with those carbs mine took 2 full evenings to dismantle.

[Czekus21]

The bike shop here in Sioux Falls have the Clymers manual for around $30.00. They have a few of them. If you would like send me a pm with an address and I'll send you one for cost and shipping. Or you can go to midamericamotoplex.com I believe you can order stuff on line from these guys.
O ya.. Congrats on your heck of a find. My 79's got 7,456,937,684,662,498 mile on her. ( really only 37,000 ) as long as ya take care of her and don't over abuse her, She'll last longer then you will.

[fxrer]

There are several sites that still offer service manuals for the XS 11's - do a google search.

Here's one site, J&P Cycles, that has them (and a whole lot more), for $29

http://www.jpcycles.com/productdetai...&search=manual

[jacker]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the helpful info and the tips. I'm not trying to be picky, but I really kinda wanted a factory shop manual. I've found that sometimes Clymers can have mistakes and not all of the info needed. I will probably go that route anyways, just untill I can get a factory manual. Unless, you guys think they are good enough. Has anyone had any problems with the Clymers?

[btchalice]

would you be interested in selling either the stock or aftermarket exhaust? I bought mine as a rough project it has bent exhaust and i just found out the forks are bent too.

[Ken Talbot]

Jacker, if you have trouble tracking down a Yamaha manual, have a look at the Cycleserv publications from Australia. I have Clymers, a Yamaha genuine, and a Cycleserv. As you note, the Clymers can be a bif off now and again. Near as I can tell, the Cycleserv looks like a straight rip-off of the Yamaha manual. The photos and diagrams are the same, and it has the same typos. It almost looks like Cycleserv picked up distribution rights from Yamaha for the Yamaha tech info.