Advice needed

[PlustinChesil]

Got an older xs1100 that pops off and sounds like **** but does go. It needs a booster to turn over (one that has a 12volt boost) and even then it struggles to turn over. I opened the starter up and it looks old for sure but works as it should. Any tips?

[LAB3]

Here's the best advice I can give. Get a repair manual and go though every maintenance step regardless of age or mileage, by then if it still doesn't run right (and it probably won't) you'll have a better idea of what questions to ask!

[jetmechmarty]

Yes, service steps. Service the motorcycle nose to tail.

Starters can be overhauled. There’s no point in doing that if you haven’t load tested the battery. On a machine this old, wiring issues like corrosion are also likely. Etc etc

Service the bike.

[Larrym]

Got an older xs1100 that pops off and sounds like **** but does go. Any tips?

Yup! (^_^)

Very common to find these bikes in this condition. ( •_•)

Possible/LIKELY that the previous owner bought it cuz it wuz a "SuperBike", went thru it to get it running-Cleaning carbs, new battery, etc... (⊙ᴗ⊙)

Then found it ran like garbage- popping, spitting, backfiring, bogging down, etc. (Θ︹Θ)

NOT the "Superbike" experience they wuz lookin' fOaR.... (*′☉.̫☉)

They park it and forget about it fOaR a year until the carbs are re-gunked, battery wasted, and the air in the tires is gone. (☉_☉)

Next person buys it thinking it only needs a carb clean and a new battery- Superbike! \(^_^)/

Same "Lather-Rinse-Repeat" happens until someone finally yoinks out the Ebay/Amazon junk carb jets/parts from Taiwan/China and installs genuine Mikuni. (－‸ ლ)

To the victor goes the spoilz! \(•‿•)/

[Schming]

Got an older xs1100 that pops off and sounds like **** but does go. It needs a booster to turn over (one that has a 12volt boost) and even then it struggles to turn over. I opened the starter up and it looks old for sure but works as it should. Any tips?

Along with the XScellent advise above, now that you know the engine runs, hopefully with no weird sounds, you can go over all the electrical, complete fuel delivery system, front and rear braking systems, all the lubrication from top to bottom and if the tires are decent you should be able to take her on a short shakedown jaunt to see what needs attention next.

A pic or two,three or four would let us help you more proficiently.

Welcome to Club 'leven !!!