A moment of silence, death of a motor

[Pain]

Just got a call from The Shop (Vintage motorcycle repair place, here in Milwaukee).

My newly-aquired xs1100h has a hole in one piston, and the other three are only making about 1/2 the compression they should. The condition of the valves are unknown, the mechanic says it would be better at this point to just replace the whole motor.

The bike had 48k on the clock, but I don't know if that was 148k or 848k, I do know I only got the last 10k or so since march (Until the end of august, when everything went bad), and loved them all.

Since it seems like I am the only here without a spare motor, I am now in the market (There are a couple whole engines on ebay, as well as the relevent parts), so this bike will come back (I have not given up on an XS yet, I am not going to start now).

Still, a respectful moment for an engine, you were good while you ran, and can now head to that great garage in the sky.

-Andy

[DiverRay]

The bottom end on these hold up very well. If you didn't run it with too much junk in the oil, you should be able to have it bored out, new pistons, and a valve job.
If the transmission was shifting well, it would be worth it. You would get to break in a new XS motor!!
Ray

[Pat Kelly]

I'd be getting a big-bore kit if it was me

[strom]

I honed the cyls, replaced one piston (that I alredy had), got new rings, did a carb-valve job and it runs like new.
If you can afford it... go wiseco.

LP

[Czekus21]

Go for the rebuild. It will be cheaper then replacing it with another "used" motor. Their's no garrentee that the replacment motor is is going to last as long as the rebuilt one. You may end up spending the $$$ anyway. I would go for the stage one kit. If the cylinders are to gone try honing to stage two. If it's beond that then go for the replacement.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Andy,

I, too, suggest the "little" big bore kit. My 81 had an estimated 45K on the clock(it had stopped at 950...never had it fixed!), but had ridden it for 9 years. Then it sat for 9 years, got rusted badly in the topend. Pulled the jugs, bored, and replaced the pistons and ring WITHOUT having to split the cases! Have put an estimated 5k since then, 5 years ago...I don't use it for a daily rider, but have fun at rallies!! And I don't baby it either, and it's held up great!
T.C.

[Pain]

Okay, so if I am looking at a wiseco pixton kit, where do I find one?

I quick look through the wiseco website was not helpful, and I will certainly consider it, if the cost is not insane.

Any help, pls?

Andy

[TopCatGr58]

There was a shop in Florida that had them for around $400.00, might be in the LINKs section, or do a search for WISECO and FLORIDA and you'll probably find the thread and post mentioning it!

Found it: http://www.pro-flo.com/pro-flo_wisec..._bore_kits.htm

You said that the bike was at a SHOP!? If you have a SHOP do the work, then it WILL BE VERY PROHIBITIVE. You'll need to bring it home, and do the work yourself!!! Just need a machine shop to bore the jugs!!
T.C.

[Winterhawk]

Merriam Cycle is the best place in the United States for parts new and used. I'd get a big bore kit 1200. I'd be afraid to let lesser shops work on a XS1100 as there are so many tricks and unless the people have been working on them for the last 25 years I'd get a manual and do it yourself.