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**thevans** · 02-02-2006, 08:09 AM

2nd gear problems

I have a 81 XS Eleven and it has 85000km on the clock. The gearbox has never been opened, but I do find that under heavy exceleration the 2nd gear does tend to be a problem in that it tends to slip out of gear. I avoid heavy exceleration and the bike is a beaut to ride, lots of power, but a bit thirsty!

Andre van der Westhuizen, Botswana

**Pat Kelly** · 02-02-2006, 08:44 AM

I have 2 XS1100's. My E has 26,000 miles and now needs the 2nd gear fix. Appears to be a bit of labor but nothing too bad (2,000 assistants here on the forum).
My LG has 50,000 miles and is fine.
I don't think it's inevitable but there's a good percentage that develop this problem that can be redily fixed. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one that needed the fix. I'd use the symptom to get a lower price (like I can get much lower than the $60 I paid for my E).

**Ken Talbot** · 02-02-2006, 12:55 PM

Have a look at this poll . With the small sample of respondents, about 60% of people have not had any problems. If you are willling to get your hands dirty, there is lots of good information here on the forum to help you through the fix yourself, and there are lots of people ready to answer your questions if you run into any trouble along the way. Like PAt said, use the possibility of a problem as a bargaining chip!

**TopCatGr58** · 02-02-2006, 06:13 PM

Hey there Sundance,

The one thing the XS11 isn't known for is HIGH MAINTAINANCE! In fact, they have been called bullet proof!! I drove mine for over 9 years before the 1st and second gear malady reared it's ugly head. But prior to that, all I did was get oil changes. I NEVER had to work on the carbs, never had the valve clearances adjusted, just put gas, tires, and drove it!!! That was in my inexperienced youth a few decades ago!!!

IF you are even just decent with wrenches, and have a place to work, the gear repair isn't much trouble to do. Any old bike is going to need considerable prep to get it road worthy, brakes, fuel system, electrical system, etc., but once you've done the required tuning and such, it will be a very reliable machine, not to mention very fun to drive. But if you're looking for a turnkey solution, then look for a NEW BIKE, but if you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty, and want to spend a lot less $$ for a powerhouse bike, then get it !!
T.C.

**DiverRay** · 02-02-2006, 06:36 PM

I just got done with a first/second repair. This is my third XS1100, and the first repair I've had to do. The repair took about 10 hours total time. I did get a replacement transmission from Andreas. That helped in that I did the dremel repair on the spare trans, and then put the gears in.

**sundancermartin** · 02-03-2006, 07:54 AM

hi guys - thanks for the response looks like the xs11 has even more loyal fans in the us than here in the uk.
Im not interested in any of the new bikes, fully faired clones or "plastic fantastics" as they call them in my neck of the woods. I have an old triumph bonny & a Kwack Z100 shaft both over 25yrs old, & I do realise that the older bikes need the odd bit of work to keep them going not a problem.
its just that a rebuild of the gearbox seems like quite a big job, reading some of the comments posted here maybe its not as bad as I thought.
the bike im interested in has been well looked after & has quite a bit of history to it, it doesnt need anything doing to it to get it roadworthy. it just seemed a little scary to hear everyone talk about tearing down the gearbox of thier bike, how long can the repair be expected to last once its done? is there a permenant fix that can be done, better rerplacement gears etc?

**John** · 02-03-2006, 08:16 AM

The repair is not really all that tough. Some guys can do it while the engine is still in the frame, and others remove the engine first. Splitting the case is not hard. I have had mine apart a few times to repair the trans and to do a big bore job. The repair can last forever. I did it myself back in 92, and I had a shop do it again, just to be safe, when I did the big bore last year. To find a machine shop that would do it wsn't that hard. I just asked at an independent bike shop, if they knew of a shop that would do it. They did it right there in house. They had the required machine. Only charged me $60, because I had bought most of my parts to do the big bore from them. New under cut gears are available from Yamamama, I believe, but they are about $50 a piece, and you will need to replace four of them. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but removing the engine allows you to inspect/replace the shift drum and forks if needed, and you can inspect/replace the main bearings if you are so inclined.

**strom** · 02-03-2006, 08:25 AM

Replaced my tranny with one off of ebay recently. So here it goes:
Seat off, tank off, carbs and airbox off, starter off (didn't bother to disconnect the wires), alternator off, pick-up assy. off, engine guards off.... bout an hour-hour and a half job if you include the exhaust. Don't forget the grounding wire that goes from the engine to the frame. I had an old car tire and a friend ready to pull the engine and put it on the bench. 20-30 min job. Dunno, I pulled the oil pan while the engine was still in the bike. And the oil pump so it wouldn't be damaged during engine-pulling.
Now the engine: Oil pan off, oil pump off, all the bolts on top and bottom.... takes bout 20 minutes including finding all the bolts you miss. Now with the XS the bottom half of the engine comes off. Another 30 minutes to get the clutch off. Be careful with the star plate. They tend to break easily. Especially with re-assembly. Another 30 minutes and you have the gearbox out. Fix gearbox, clean everything, reassemble in reverse order.... watch the star plate and when putting carbs and aribox back on, use WD40 on the rubber... again, have a friend to hold the bike and wiggle the carbs and airbox on. It's a bitch to do, but with some cursing only a 10 minute job. Clean the carb bowls while you have the carbs out.
To sum it all up, these few lines cover the complete procedure.... if you have never done anything like it, it will take you a week. If you have any questions, we will help you. Maybe you won't even need to repair the gearbox.... its nothing to be afraid of.

LP

**Winterhawk** · 02-03-2006, 08:14 PM

Bob Jones at Merriam Cycle This guy does work on them from all over the country. He's building one now for a guy in Alabama for around $15,000.00 to $17,000.00.

It's going to be a costume touring bike. Full fairings and bags. Can't wait to see it. Wishing I was rich now I'd buy one.

I like my $350.00 e-Bay bike and wouldn't take $10,000 for it.
Last summer a guy offered me $5,000.00 for it. No Way.

I'd just restore your's and it will be the last bike you'll ever have to buy.

You can make your tranny bullet proof by undercutting or swapping the washer. Make sure your sfift drum isn't messed up. You can't buy them anymore.

Like Diver says

DiverRay I just got done with a first/second repair. This is my third XS1100, and the first repair I've had to do. The repair took about 10 hours total time. I did get a replacement transmission from Andreas. That helped in that I did the dremel repair on the spare trans, and then put the gears in.

I've did about 8 XS11 tranny mods and it's a big job but it can be done in a couple of days.

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