no power at low rpms

[dorkpunch]

Hey all, lately my bike has been acting pretty weak in the low rpm range. Rolling on the throttle (snapping it open gives you the same response) from anywhere below 3500 rpm gives you a really poor acceleration until you hit about 4 grand. At that point its everything you would expect an 1100 to be! Dont matter what gear or speed, just any rpms below about 3500 shes real sluggish. Carbs? what should i be looking for?

[Ken Talbot]

Re: no power at low rpms

Originally posted by dorkpunch
Carbs?

Yes.

Originally posted by dorkpunch
what should i be looking for?

Dirt.


Seriously, that's probably the first place to start looking, especially if it has not been running poorly all along. You should actually start with the petcock screens and work your way downstream. Work on getting every wee passage and orifice cleaned out, check and adjust the floats if necessary, check for any leaking vacuum hoses, and ensure the vacuum advance mechanism is working freely. Don't be afraid to dive right in - just be sure to read through the various technical articles so you'll recognize the potential problem points before you get there.

[dorkpunch]

yeah, thats what i figured. I've never been into the carbs on this one. Okay, here's the story:

a guy i know had 2 11's and came to me and said if i fixed the one i could have the other. Sure! Went and looked at em, right off i figured he wanted the standard and was gonna give the the special as it had no seat cover, blinkers, dented rust tank, etc, etc and the standard had bags, fairing, nice paint, one other owner, and only about 15,000 miles. I was wrong. So i hauled the beat up beast home, went through the carbs, got her running, took it back, and jump started the other one, and rode it home! Took care of some maintenance and started to ride it. It acted like one carb was a little out of sync and every now and again it would sort itself out and run okay. Well, i ended up moving shortly thereafter and just got the bike out this spring (i got it last summer). Put the bike back togeher (fairng and bags came off to get it in the van) and bought a battery- fired her up and she ran great! So i rode it the way it was but it seems to be coming back. Shoulda done it when i got it, just didnt have the time.

Anyways, thats how i got my "free" xs 11. Oh yeah. My bro talked to the guy yesterday- he just gave away his special a week ago. DANG IT! whish i woulda known that!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Dorkpunch,

Yeah, the carbs, specifically the Pilot circuit, it's the one mostly involved at those low rpms! Would be best to take the tank off and drain it thoroughly, look for rust dust and debris. Pull the petcocks and check the screens and such. This will also allow you to rinse the tank out to get the bottom settling gunk out!

Then, after it's all cleaned up, put some SeaFoam in it every few tankfuls. Mine sits for a month or so at a time between firing it up, and it cranks right up each time! A full Dresser Standard with bags for FREE and you're upset about missing the Special!
Shame on you!!! I don't really blame you, I like the Specials best myself!!

[dorkpunch]

hey, a free bike is a free bike! i just wish i got BOTH of them!!! Lula (my bike) starts without any troubles, just a little on the weak side in the low rpms. I'll go through the carbs this weekend and see what i can find.