1981 XS1100 special

[NSXSER]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. I have 2 XS1100 specials. 1 is a 1980 and I just picked up a 1981, the 1980 needed some work when I got it, most of it got done but it never made it to the road, I've had it for about 4 years. Yesterday I picked up the1981, its still original, and road worthy, in fact its in great shape, I bought it from the original owner of the bike, it was a one owner bike. it has 42k kms on it. also got the original owners manual and service manual with it, and he has a xs eleven key chain, that if he can find he will send me, that would be cool to have.

Anyhow just looking for some general info on lubes for the bike. I know the guy kept up with regular maintenance but I'm going to change everything. Engine oil, my oil of choice is liquid moly 20w50 synthetic. I know some say say synthetic is not need in older bike, I'll only be driving it in really nice weather so the 20w50 will be fine. But what are you guys running? have you found oils that these engines really seem to like?

Gear lube, the manual says 80/90, but do any of you run the 75w90 synthetic, while i'm at it I'll probably split the driveshaft and grease the splines up good.

One other question, as I just got it, i don't have it over in my name yet and such, so I haven't really had it out for a good rip, I only had it up the road about a mile and back, the thing works good, I think it might be running a hair lean, I seen one of the manifold boots for the cards has some coating over it, like to seal it, so I bought 4 new boots, do you guys get a tiny bit of popping out the pipes on the down shift sometimes like its lean?
The only other thing I noticed was at about 100 to 120 kmph, thats the fastest i had it going, at that speed it seemed like it got a little whining sound in the driveshaft is that normal.

Thanks for any info.

[cajun31]

Synthetic is a waste of money on these old bikes and some have reported clutch slippage using synthetic. just use a good quality motorcycle oil. Car oil can cause excessive sludge build up. 75w 90 synthetic is fine and is what most of use have moved to. The whining sound is normal.

[DiverRay]

DO NOT use ANY oil with a "friction modifier" in it for the engine!!!!! It WILL fry the clutch. Castrol 20-50 is what most of us use in the U.S. For the middle and final drive, I use Redline Synthetic 70w-90w, and have many miles with no problems.
For the "popping", check the valve adjustment, adjust idle mixture, and then sync the carbs.

[DEEBS11]

Your lean pop on deceleration is called "afterburn". Your pilot circuit could use a cleaning from too many winter lay-ups. A sync is also needed. Also, brake fluid change and fork oil change is in order.

I use Shell 15/40 oil with great results.

I use Bel Ray hypoid in the rear drives.

[DEEBS11]

Are those 4 new boots you bought Chinese? Throw them in the trash.

[jetmechmarty]

My XS1100 has over 100K miles on it. The engine oil I use is JASO-MA2 and 20W50. I use conventional or synthetic depending upon what is available when I need it. Yes, synthetic is an expensive option and I should stock up on Yamalube.
In my gearboxes, I’m using synthetic 75W140 and have for a long time. I think I have Royal Purple in there. I got the synthetic 75W140 recommendation on this forum probably 20 or more years ago. No issues and the gearboxes run quiet.

[NSXSER]

Hey everyone, Thanks for all the responses.

So yesterday I ordered my oils, I went with Liquid Moly Base Street Oil 20w50,( mineral oil) I got the Liquid Moly Synthetic 75w90 for mid and final drive.

My plan is to do a carb job, clean sync etc, yes DEEBS11 they are Chinese boots lol, I just got then for now as there still probably better then the ones on the bike, when I have more time I'm going to take the ones off of my 1980 bike and use those if they are still good, that will be this winter.

Also DEEBS11 How much air pressure do you run in the front forks?

The only thing I'm really changing on the bike is the bars, not a fan of the stock bars, I'll be about week getting them, when I do I'll get some pics of it.

Thanks

[gtem]

There are some decent quality japanese made aftermarket boots in the $120 range for a set on ebay, for what its worth.

I run Shell Rotella T4 15W-40 ("diesel oil") as it's JASO rated for wet moto clutches and is cheap and readily available.

[bikerphil]

Tourmax brand carb boots are good quality, Japanese made.

[gtem]

Tourmax brand carb boots are good quality, Japanese made.

Ah, yeah that was the name of them. I have a set sitting on the shelf ready to swap on at some point. My current boots look well past their prime but are still sealing well for now.

[DEEBS11]

NSXSER, I don't run air in forks as it causes stiction (you can look this up). I install a small spacer (about 1" long) made from hardware store PVC pipe for preload and run it with no air. You can lengthen the spacer size if needed.

Also, I run Tourmax manifolds on my bike. They are made in Japan. The Chinese units are usually a no-name brand.

[cajun31]

Hey everyone, Thanks for all the responses.

So yesterday I ordered my oils, I went with Liquid Moly Base Street Oil 20w50,( mineral oil) I got the Liquid Moly Synthetic 75w90 for mid and final drive.

My plan is to do a carb job, clean sync etc, yes DEEBS11 they are Chinese boots lol, I just got then for now as there still probably better then the ones on the bike, when I have more time I'm going to take the ones off of my 1980 bike and use those if they are still good, that will be this winter.

Also DEEBS11 How much air pressure do you run in the front forks?

The only thing I'm really changing on the bike is the bars, not a fan of the stock bars, I'll be about week getting them, when I do I'll get some pics of it.

Thanks

I have to correct myself on my previous post. You should go with a 75w140 full synthetic for the mid and final drives.

[jetmechmarty]

I have to correct myself on my previous post. You should go with a 75w140 full synthetic for the mid and final drives.

That’s my recommendation as well. I’ve been using that since I acquired the motorcycle.

[DEEBS11]

The Bel Ray is also synthetic. Bonus: it's red to make it easy to identify leaks.

[NSXSER]

Thanks on the 75w140, I'll run the 75w90 for the rest of the summer and then change it this winter. I also got all my other oils changed, engine , mid and final.

now that I had some time to go over the bike, I put the boots on, they were better then I thought they would be. did a carb clean, found the in the #3 carb the needle wasn't setting right, and they had the vacuum hoses backwards between the carb and manifold, set the timing tensioner and boy does it run much better and quieter. I set the needles to the standard position, # 3 slot, and it has the 110 jets in it, factory jets i'm assuming.

I'm going to do fork seals and oil here soon. there not really leaking but i'm going to change them anyhow. the only other thing it needs is the seal around the shifter changed, its leaking a bit of oil.

I also read on here about people putting dyna pipes on those bikes, have any of you done it? I found a set of Screamin' Eagle Exhaust for Harley Davidson Dyna (Evo 91-98) do you think they will work? I'd like to try them just to see the sound they make. ,

I'm quite impressed with this bike, it works good