The dreaded gasoil

[CWilliamson]

Decided to drain the oil on the '79 xs1100 and promptly poured 2+ gallons of gasoil on the floor (only had a 1 gal container under it). at least I didn't run it and the metal components should be nice and clean now :-)

I haven't received my manual yet and was wondering whta the proper float height fpr a 79 xs special is and when I do that check do I have the carbs upside down or right side up?

Also is the oil filter nut threaded normally or reverse (counter clockwise to tighten)? I can't seem to get it to move and I don't want to strip it.

Thanks,
Clark

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Clark,

The filter nolt is normally threaded, righty tighty, lefty loosy! Try spritzing some penetrating oil around it, and tapping on the end of it with a hammer first, then dry it off and get a good fitting socket, but be aware, they are easy to round off!!

The floats are measured upside down! The height is 25.7 + 1.0mm measured from the bottom of the body lip. However, just setting the floats height will probably NOT fix your Gasoil problem. You've probably got worn float needle tips and seats, or gummed up parts, or sinking floats, or leaking petcocks as well! Glad you found it, but it's going to take more than just checking and resetting the floats!

Good Luck! T.C.

[CWilliamson]

Thanks for the input!

Thanks for the input!

I just ordered 4 new carb kits and everything else that can wear out (wife didn't like that $$$ number let me tell you :-) 3 of the carbs looked great but better safe than sorry. I know all about the rounding of the oil filter bolts (stupid xs650 oil filter grumble grumbl grumble...).

I'll post the results later in the week after the rebuild...

Oh, anyone know where the hose coming out of the top of the left hand side of the engine (above the yamaha name plate) is supposed to go? It's just dangling on mine.

Thanks again,
Clark

[TopCatGr58]

Yes, that's the vacuum advance/retard unit , it goes to the Metal Nipple on the #2 carb body, NOT the Intake Manifold Nipple!!!!
T.C.

[CWilliamson]

Hmmmm...

Currently the octopus is plugged in there....

[Geezer]

Re: Thanks for the input!

Originally posted by CWilliamson
I just ordered 4 new carb kits and everything else that can wear out (wife didn't like that $$$ number let me tell you

If you ordered K&L kits, don't use the jets. If you round off the bolt head on the filter bolt, drill in a couple indents no more than 1/6" deep on around the bolt head. Then you can use a punch (at a 45 degree angle in the direction of rotation) and a hammer to break it free.

Geezer

[Ken Talbot]

The nipple on the body of carb #2 is restricted so it evens out the vacuum pulses. This is where the advance/retard unit plugs in. The octopus can plug into any one of the unrestricted nipples on the rubber carb boots.

The caution about the jets in a K&L rebuild kit is because K&L uses a different numbering system for their jet sizes. You may get jets stamped with the same number as your stock jets, but the bore will be way larger.

[xs650mike]

Best to use a 6-point socket on the oil filter bolt. Honda oil filter bolts will just strip with a 12-point, I know. Haven't had this happen with a Yammie but I've always used 6-points since I started riding them. One tip, which it's good you didn't use Clark since you had gas in the crankcase, is to drain the oil hot. I just changed my oil and even with the engine warm I couldn't get the sump plug to break loose. Took the bike for a brisk 5-mile ride and immediately drained the oil, sump plug came out easily though I kinda french-fried my fingers a bit. Aluminum expands more than steel when heated.

[CWilliamson]

petcocks and the octopus

I hate hot oil on my hands...to avoid the float overflow I'm rebuilding the carbs but I also need to either rebuild the petcocks or replace them with non-vacuum ones.

Are the ones that they sell on Partsnmore.com good? I know I'll need the 46mm adapters if I go with them. Also all I need to do is cap off all the octopus connections and tie the two fuel lines together right?

Thanks,
Clark

[xs650mike]

About oil on the hands, I always wear medical examination gloves when working on bikes but they won't stop heat!

Speaking of petcocks does anyone know if the non-vacuum replacement petcocks from Mikes XS fit the XS11? I've got one on my 400 and it's a quality piece.

[CWilliamson]

I was wondering that too...

what size adapter would be needed?

[xs650mike]

On XS400 and XS650 Specials no adapter is needed, dunno about the XS11 which is why I was asking.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey XS650Mike,

How about measuring the center to center distance of the mounting bolts/holes on the 650 petcock, and what YEAR yours is, that way we can measure the 11 and compare. IF the distances are the same, then I would think no adapter would be needed!?
T.C.

[xs650mike]

Ok T.C...

My Yammie instinct tells me that the Mikes XS petcock will probably fit the '80 and up XS11s and XJs. They have purely vacuum operated petcocks, don't they? Makes sense that they'd be the same shape as the ones on my 650s and 400. The petcocks on my Rustbucket are a weird combination vacuum and manual so I'll actually have to take one of the doggone things off and check the shape of the tank opening as well as the bolt hole distance. My XS650s are an '81 and '82 and my 400 is also an '82. I did check to see if Mike's replacement tank badges could be used but the 650 & 400 badges are a little smaller and the screw holes don't line up (darn) though I suppose one could glue them on.

The nice thing about the Mike's petcock is that it can be used on either side and it comes with both straight and right-angle spigots which is why I was able to configure it so it would bolt right on my 400. Since I just like to ride, not wrench, I was sorta hoping someone out there knew. (See the motto at the bottom of my post!) My petcocks work just fine now but I was curious to know in case they screw up and also for the rest of the fraternity. I'll check it out one day soon and let you know what I find. Then we'll know about the SF at least. It'd sure be nice to have a direct bolt-on manual replacement for leaky vacuum petcocks, no adapter plates or fabricating and the price is right too!

BTW, I had to tape a sign on my 400's gas tank, "Turn the gas on, STUPID!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mike,

Well, the XS's have different styled petcocks thru ALL years, the Standards are actually vacuum actuated directly. The Specials are actually manual...they just go thru the Octy which is the vacuum controlled valve. So...when Specials bypass the Octy, they are using manual styled petcocks, ALL YEARS!

I agree that the later model years petcocks for the 650's look very similar in fitment, with the large O-ring design. The other ones that have the diamond shape, not so sure about those?!

SO...if the bolt holes line up, and the O-ring pattern is wider on the petcock than on the tank, then they should bolt right up!
T.C.