strange brakes

[procamper]

I recently picked up a non-running 78 xs1100 e from a friend of a friend of a friend for $60 . after some electrical fixes for the fuse panel and a new battery it starts and runs very well.

the odd thing is the front brakes. it looks like the discs are too small for the calipers. only the outside half of the disc contacts the pads, and only the inside half of the pads contacts the discs.

the discs are just under 11" in diameter but it looks like 12" would be a perfect fit. if ive manged to confuse any of you, pictures of the problem are here: http://community.webshots.com/album/46457077ctTeUS

btw, where does the electric tach gets its signal from on these bikes? from the schematic, it looks like it may be coming from the rect/reg. this is what im hoping, because i dont have one of those right now and the tach doesnt work . is that right?

looking forward to learning a lot about my newest project
BEN

[rockyr74]

The rotors on my 80 XS1100 special measure up to 11-3/4.
I have been told all XS1100 disks are the same, but I don't know that for sure.
Perhaps the wheel is off something else - XS750 perhaps?

Still, I think you got a great buy for $60.

[MartyA]

My 78E front discs are right around 12", give or take 1/4".

The photo is not clear, but it looks like your disc is too small. I would be cautious with this set-up. Binding is a possibility. And, this spring, I had perfectly good looking shoes at my inspection, and the next day while cleaning I took the front caliper off and the brake show fell out in two pieces. Looked like original equipment, only half worn, but had seperated - pad from backing plate.

Be careful, there is no backup when the brakes fail.

[strom]

Wow... looks just like mine... OK, the headlamp looks better on mine and my seat is still original.... but(t) this one looks great.

Will check the rotors 2morrow... but I think they should be 298mm. Or sth like that.

LP

[Thomas W. Sima]

front brakes

Hi folks. I know J P Honeywell he steered me towars this site.
I am planning to restore a '79 XS1100 standard and would like to know if any 4 or 6 piston Yamaha FZR/YZF brake calipers can be
installed on the '79 Standards front fork. I have machine shop
capabilities few others have. Or am I just better off grafting on
an FZR/YZF complete front fork with braided stainless lines?
Am planning on usint SS lines anyway, stock front brakes VERY
dissappointing. Any thoughts/advice?

[nwilley]

From the image it looks like you have front forks and a brake from a 650/750. The caliper that is shown is like the one on the back of the xs1100. It also appears that you only have one disk, rather than the 2, that should be on the bike.

As for the tach, it runs off one of 3 phases that come from the alternator (IIRC . Usually when someone on the list has had a tach that is not functioning, it has been a failure in the alternator. You can check the alternator by checking the voltage across the battery, I gather. It should read something in the range of 12+V. Check one of the manuals if you are unsure.
Good luck!

[Mike Hart]

Hi and welcome.

If you do graft another front end on, or figure a way to get 'modern' calipers on an XS, make sure you take lots of pictures and document it!

But... I'm skeptical about that being accomplished, though it's probably not impossible.

In grafting a whole front end, keep in mind not many modern 4 or 6pot caliper bikes have a 19" front wheel (probably none). Maybe you could find one with the same axle diameter and length? Those modern calipers are meant to work with floating rotors too. Good luck!

Properly working XS brakes aren't great, but they are good enough, esp. for the era. What have you been riding that the XS brakes are disappointing? My Bandit will do 2-finger stoppies, but the XS stops well enough.

[procamper]

also appears that you only have one disk, rather than the 2

nope--it has two. the camera doesnt like taking pictures unless it has plenty of light.

so, how can tell the difference between a 1100 caliper and a 750 caliper? mebbe someone could post a close up pic?

thanks for all ur help. im really starting to look forward to getting this pig on the road!

BEN

[Thomas W. Sima]

front brakes

To: Mike in Seattle
Re; XS Brakes
Mike,
My 1978 Kawasaki Z-1R with stone stock front brakes could
almost do "stoppies" with LESS than four fingers. The XS11
won't do that. I suspect the lines are old and spongy so
braided SS lines would help plus perforating the discs is
on order. If that won't do it then the whole OEM set up
goes in the dumpster.
I know that 4 and 6 pot calipers can be bolted onto FJ1100/
1200 front forks so it's probably worth a try.
Rest assured if it works it WILL be documented in great
and complete detail and shared!
TWS

[Mike Hart]

Go for it then! FJ is quite a different critter, but don't let me rain on your parade! I'm just looking forward to seeing you DO this!

[Thomas W. Sima]

Mike,

Thanks for the encouragement!

I also plan to use piggyback rear shocks, better front fork
springs, a good solid fork brace, Falicon prepped crank and
rods and twin plug heads. It's gonna be fast enough to
smash a V-Rod AND handle M-22 north of Manistee Michigan
with ease (100 turns in 25 miles)

From what I've read the Jardine and MAC exhaust systems
are awful so a slightly gutted XS11 Special OEM system will
have to suffice.

I'll keep you posted.......
TWS

[Robert Haller]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Thomas W. Sima

From what I've read the Jardine and MAC exhaust systems
are awful so a slightly gutted XS11 Special OEM system will
have to suffice.

When I researched new pipes I only found negative comments on the MAC system, not Jardines. I'm quite happy with the finish and performance of my Jardines (although installing can be a pain).

[sixtysix]

I had a set of FJ calipers and they will not fit an XS! My front brakes sucked until I rebuilt them, MC's, calipers, SS lines, fluid now I can really stop!

[Pat Kelly]

Hey Ben,
Welcome to the $60 club. I picked-up my 78E last year for $60 too (thus the name $60 gem). Mine has the full touring set-up and isn't as shiny as yours. You've got a great looking bike there. Get the brakes fixed ASAP. Mine had no brakes when I 1st got it. It had sat since 1979 so all the rubber was dried out. $400 got it running and stopping. Now, after around $2000, it took me 2,815 miles to Big Island Deuce and back without any problems.
Hope to see you at one of the XSive gatherings.