Spares to carry while touring?

[gtem]

Hi all,

I'm getting my '79 F ready to ride out to the AMA Vintage Days weekend in Lexington OH at the end of July from Indy, and from there south to WV then out across KY before swinging back home. In other words, a solid 5-6 day trip (with stops and a few days off). My question is: what do you guys that do serious touring on these bikes pack along as spares? A spark plug, maybe a fuel filter (for those that run additional filters in line from the petcocks)? Are there any XS11 specifics to keep in mind? I've got a list of things as far as tools and things like a volt meter, patch kit (I converted to tubeless front and rear), jump pack, tape, some chicken wire etc). It's been a minute since I've done a "serious" cross-state ride, especially on an older machine.

Thanks all!

[XSSIVEUS]

Hi Gtem. When I did a lot of touring on my full dress 78, I did three things and would add a third now:

1. Maintenance: Go through everything on the bike and change the obvious items such as plugs, engine oil & filter, air filter, and check the brake fluids and tire pressure (set for the load). Take a few minutes to check the mid and rear lub levels unless done recently. Make sure the tires are not cracked. If old, install new tires and ride them for a bit before heading out. To me it was important not to take the bike for a long ride after it had been sitting unused as unknown issues creep in. As I was riding locally regularly, I had high confidence in the bike's performance before any long rides. I would strongly recommend against taking a bike without such confidence.

2. Gear: Have an extra set of plugs with enough tools to change if needed plus tighten drain plugs and various bits on the bike. The Yamaha tool kit is barely adequate. Other items to take include a tire pressure gauge, a couple of shop rags, complete set of fuses, rain gear, work gloves, depending on your face mask a set of sun glasses, and a small first aid kit for busted knuckles. Make sure you have the cable assembly for changing the rear tire in case someone needs to do that.

3. Assistance: These days, compile a list of Yamaha dealers and major bike shops along your route along with phone numbers and email addresses. Just in case.

Enjoy your ride!

[DiverRay]

When I've taken my XS1100's on long trips, I've NEVER taken spark plugs with me. As stated above, do ALL the maintenance items first, valve adjust, plugs, carb sync, and set timing. I always change ALL fluids, including middle and final drive. Check tires and cables, as it IS getting old! If you are not sure about the clutch cable, change it BEFORE you leave. Be sure the battery is only two or three years old, as I did have to replace a battery one trip. That is the ONLY thing I've ever had to replace. Even though these bikes are 45 years old, they still are very dependable with just some thoughtful maintenance.

[gtem]

When I've taken my XS1100's on long trips, I've NEVER taken spark plugs with me. As stated above, do ALL the maintenance items first, valve adjust, plugs, carb sync, and set timing. I always change ALL fluids, including middle and final drive. Check tires and cables, as it IS getting old! If you are not sure about the clutch cable, change it BEFORE you leave. Be sure the battery is only two or three years old, as I did have to replace a battery one trip. That is the ONLY thing I've ever had to replace. Even though these bikes are 45 years old, they still are very dependable with just some thoughtful maintenance.

checking cables is a great idea! As to all the maintenance and wear items, I've spent all winter since the fall going through this thing since I got it from my buddy with old cracked tires and sticky rear brake. The other half of it is I've been trying to ride it as much as possible locally to see if any issues crop up since I was in there doing valve adjustments, etc. I had the rear brake start to drag even though I had gone through and cleaned everything up (ended up needing a new stainless caliper piston and new seals, along with the master cylinder rebuilt).

[DEEBS11]

I have travel many miles all over the States, Canada, Alaska, Nova Scotia, and Mexico over the last 40 years. If you carefully build and maintained the bike & motor properly and you are confident in your work you will never need anything motor related. It's items like flat tires, burnt bulbs, and batteries that go dead for no apparent reason (plate short). Cables can always be a problem, I often install new ones before a big ride. I had an old brake hose breech during a trip once. I had a speedo cable fail once in the White Mountains. A Shinko tire failed once at the great lakes (belt breech/bubble) but other than that, smooth sailing even across the desert which is when I was most nervous (112°)





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[gtem]

Thanks Deebs, I kind of figured more or less the same. Go through it, have a confidence in the work you've done, beyond that, what all can you do? Also, that rattle canned KZ looks the business!

[DEEBS11]

Thanks, it's great in the snow.

[XSSIVEUS]

All very good ideas above. The key thing is to have worked through the items that can cause grief and to have confidence that your XS11 is reliable. Like the guys above, I've ridden all over the western US on my XS11 with my wife and have never had any serious problems other than running a hot in the middle of a Nevada desert during the middle of a 115F day (fixed with an oil cooler and change in oil rating after that trip). The few parts I've carried were really my security blanket for ahh craps. Here is my touring version with all Yamaha bits, repainted at a later date. I bought the bike new just after they came out and it still runs strong.

Have a great time on your ride.

[gtem]

Wow that cream XS11 is stunner!

[jetmechmarty]

I’ve only seen or had a couple of failures. I’ve had the pickup coil wires fail out on the road and I’ve seen the same failure a time or two at the rallies.
Also, the connector from the alternator. I believe it’s behind the right side cover. Check it for heat damage. Make sure it’s clean. I replaced the connector and a good bit of wire on mine due to corrosion. I fixed one of those at a rally as well due to contamination.

[DeanR]

I fixed one of those at a rally as well due to contamination.

I think I remember that. Up here in NY? or maybe Vermont?

[LAB3]

What everyone else has already said, do your maintenance and don't think twice about it! There's a reason I keep riding my old XS, best bike I've ever owned.

[jetmechmarty]

I think I remember that. Up here in NY? or maybe Vermont?

NY. MaximPhil’s bike had dielectric grease contamination.

[cajun31]

NY. MaximPhil’s bike had dielectric grease contamination.

After the problems I had with that about ten years ago I simply don't use it anymore. I know a little dab under here or there is supposed to be good for this or that but knowing that it is not conducive is enough for me not to use it.

And to answer what to bring with you. Plenty of money so you can buy your way out of any mishap.

[DEEBS11]

Dielectric. It says it all in the name. It causes electricity to die. Keep electrical connections clean and dry and you will never have a problem.