XS1100LG Dipstick?

"Albrecht via MotorcycleKB.com" <u33665@uwe> wrote in message
news:77b11eb3fb011@uwe...
> CS wrote:
>>I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how the
>>heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.
>
> Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but not
> on
> the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a
> sheetmetal
> disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level should be
> at
> the hole.
>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.asp...eptId=6
>
>
> #24: GAUGE,LEVEL (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass
> which
> is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of the
> cover
> where no human could see it.)
>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.asp...eptId=6

Found the sight glass! Thanks!

> #31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on when
> there's no oil pressure.
>
>>Is there a dipstick I can make or something?
>
> I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's a
> Harley
> and has one in the oil tank.
>>
>>If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at higher
>>RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn. All I have to do is fix that, and,
>>um,
>>everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh
>
> Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of
> Berryman
> B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of the
> liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the idle
> jets and idle passages.
>
> But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw so
> you
> can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same time.
>
> As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine will
> begin
> to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to
> compensate
> for dirty carbs.
>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.asp...eptId=6
>
>
> #13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs at the
> same time.)

Great tips! Thanks again!

If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.

CS
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

In article <13dsapj1671off3.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork.RemoveThis@fcc.gov> wrote:
>"Albrecht via MotorcycleKB.com" <u33665@uwe> wrote in message
>news:77b11eb3fb011@uwe...
>> CS wrote:
>>>I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how the
>>>heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.
>>
>> Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but not
>> on
>> the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a
>> sheetmetal
>> disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level should be
>> at
>> the hole.
>>
>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>=650122&machineId=8242
>>
>>
>> #24: GAUGE,LEVEL (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass
>> which
>> is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of the
>> cover
>> where no human could see it.)
>>
>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>=635650&machineId=8242
>
>Found the sight glass! Thanks!
>
>> #31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on when
>> there's no oil pressure.
>>
>>>Is there a dipstick I can make or something?
>>
>> I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's a
>> Harley
>> and has one in the oil tank.
>>>
>>>If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at higher
>>>RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn. All I have to do is fix that, and,
>>>um,
>>>everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh
>>
>> Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of
>> Berryman
>> B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of the
>> liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the idle
>> jets and idle passages.
>>
>> But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw so
>> you
>> can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same time.
>>
>> As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine will
>> begin
>> to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to
>> compensate
>> for dirty carbs.
>>
>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>=641949&machineId=8242
>>
>>
>> #13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs at the
>> same time.)
>
>Great tips! Thanks again!
>
>If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.
>
>CS
>

you got a bargain on a great bike. try to stick with factory stock as much as
you can. IF your idea is the keep a classic. if you bought it for a real
rider, update all the safety stuff you can. 27 years has added some real
safety. i love old bikes and go both ways. the classic restos are ridden
differently. usually a lot more gently.
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

<someone DeleteThis @some.domain> wrote in message
news:ucqDi.19265$CK1.15158@fe04.news.easynews.com...
> In article <13dsapj1671off3 DeleteThis @corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork DeleteThis @fcc.gov>
> wrote:
>>"Albrecht via MotorcycleKB.com" <u33665@uwe> wrote in message
>>news:77b11eb3fb011@uwe...
>>> CS wrote:
>>>>I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how the
>>>>heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.
>>>
>>> Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but not
>>> on
>>> the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a
>>> sheetmetal
>>> disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level should
>>> be
>>> at
>>> the hole.
>>>
>>>
>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>=650122&machineId=8242
>>>
>>>
>>> #24: GAUGE,LEVEL (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass
>>> which
>>> is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of the
>>> cover
>>> where no human could see it.)
>>>
>>>
>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>=635650&machineId=8242
>>
>>Found the sight glass! Thanks!
>>
>>> #31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on
>>> when
>>> there's no oil pressure.
>>>
>>>>Is there a dipstick I can make or something?
>>>
>>> I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's a
>>> Harley
>>> and has one in the oil tank.
>>>>
>>>>If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at
>>>>higher
>>>>RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn. All I have to do is fix that, and,
>>>>um,
>>>>everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh
>>>
>>> Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of
>>> Berryman
>>> B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of
>>> the
>>> liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the
>>> idle
>>> jets and idle passages.
>>>
>>> But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw so
>>> you
>>> can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same time.
>>>
>>> As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine will
>>> begin
>>> to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to
>>> compensate
>>> for dirty carbs.
>>>
>>>
>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>=641949&machineId=8242
>>>
>>>
>>> #13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs at
>>> the
>>> same time.)
>>
>>Great tips! Thanks again!
>>
>>If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.
>>
>>CS
>>
>
> you got a bargain on a great bike. try to stick with factory stock as much
> as
> you can. IF your idea is the keep a classic. if you bought it for a real
> rider, update all the safety stuff you can. 27 years has added some real
> safety. i love old bikes and go both ways. the classic restos are ridden
> differently. usually a lot more gently.

This bike will be a rider. By "restore" I mean restoring this bike to safe
and reliable operation, and if possible, make it look good. I'll be
throwing on new shocks and springs, brakes, stainless brake lines, and
whatever else I can update/afford.

When first sold this bike was called the Midnight Special. It had black
chrome and black paint on most everything. I'm not going to fool around
with all that. Some regular chrome, a slightly more moderate paint scheme,
well, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Gotta get the thing running first.

CS
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

CS wrote:

>This bike will be a rider. By "restore" I mean restoring this bike to safe
>and reliable operation, and if possible, make it look good. I'll be
>throwing on new shocks and springs, brakes, stainless brake lines, and
>whatever else I can update/afford.

This guy is passionate about XS11's.

http://www.merriamcycle.com/

If I had an Excessive-1100, I would be looking for wider wheels and tires to
put on it, even if I had to lace up a set of spoke wheels. The front wheel
would be at least a 2.50 X 18.00.

Your bike probably needs shocks, I do not recommend Progressive Suspension
front springs unless you have the patience to fiddle with the fork oil level.

PS makes the same spring for various forks, and they have never installed
their springs in all possible forks, so they cannot tell you what the oil
level should be.

They just give a ball park figure of about 130~140 mm as I recall. I had to
adjust the oil level in my GSXR750 three times, and my GS1100 forks were
never right after putting PS forks springs in it.

I do not recommend Dynojet kits, I believe an intelligent rider can do
anything he needs to a Mikuni carburetor by drilling out the EPA anti-tamper
plugs (if it has them) and tweaking the idle mixture screws by 1/4 to 1/2 a
turn.

I do not recommend removing the stock airbox or installing K&N separate
filters.

A single element K&N replacement filter that goes in the airbox is the way to
go. I just wash the element in kerosene and never use K&N filter oil.
>
>When first sold this bike was called the Midnight Special. It had black
>chrome and black paint on most everything. I'm not going to fool around
>with all that. Some regular chrome, a slightly more moderate paint scheme,
>well, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Gotta get the thing running first.

Yamaha was believing that Americans wanted custom motorcycles back in those
days, and Kawasaki and Honda were going along with all the frou frou
styling with anodized parts and black chrome and Midnight Specials and
Radians and Fazers, etc.

Yamaha sent its market researchers out to the motorcycle hangouts and asked
us what we wanted. Many riders told Yamaha that they wanted a Japanese Harley,
so Yamaha killed off the XS11 and came out with the V-twin Virago line, and
Honda and Suzuki came out with their Custom and "L" models, but riders who
could afford a Harley bought Harlies and the Yamaha dealers who stocked up on
Yamahas were stuck with them for two or three years.

--
Message posted via MotorcycleKB.com
http://www.motorcyclekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/yamaha/200709/1
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

In article <13dteqv12kva6df.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork.RemoveThis@fcc.gov> wrote:
><someone.RemoveThis@some.domain> wrote in message
>news:ucqDi.19265$CK1.15158@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>> In article <13dsapj1671off3.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork.RemoveThis@fcc.gov>
>> wrote:
>>>"Albrecht via MotorcycleKB.com" <u33665@uwe> wrote in message
>>>news:77b11eb3fb011@uwe...
>>>> CS wrote:
>>>>>I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how the
>>>>>heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.
>>>>
>>>> Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but not
>>>> on
>>>> the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a
>>>> sheetmetal
>>>> disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level should
>>>> be
>>>> at
>>>> the hole.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>=650122&machineId=8242
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> #24: GAUGE,LEVEL (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass
>>>> which
>>>> is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of the
>>>> cover
>>>> where no human could see it.)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>=635650&machineId=8242
>>>
>>>Found the sight glass! Thanks!
>>>
>>>> #31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on
>>>> when
>>>> there's no oil pressure.
>>>>
>>>>>Is there a dipstick I can make or something?
>>>>
>>>> I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's a
>>>> Harley
>>>> and has one in the oil tank.
>>>>>
>>>>>If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at
>>>>>higher
>>>>>RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn. All I have to do is fix that, and,
>>>>>um,
>>>>>everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh
>>>>
>>>> Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of
>>>> Berryman
>>>> B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of
>>>> the
>>>> liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the
>>>> idle
>>>> jets and idle passages.
>>>>
>>>> But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw so
>>>> you
>>>> can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same time.
>>>>
>>>> As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine will
>>>> begin
>>>> to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to
>>>> compensate
>>>> for dirty carbs.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>=641949&machineId=8242
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> #13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs at
>>>> the
>>>> same time.)
>>>
>>>Great tips! Thanks again!
>>>
>>>If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.
>>>
>>>CS
>>>
>>
>> you got a bargain on a great bike. try to stick with factory stock as much
>> as
>> you can. IF your idea is the keep a classic. if you bought it for a real
>> rider, update all the safety stuff you can. 27 years has added some real
>> safety. i love old bikes and go both ways. the classic restos are ridden
>> differently. usually a lot more gently.
>
>This bike will be a rider. By "restore" I mean restoring this bike to safe
>and reliable operation, and if possible, make it look good. I'll be
>throwing on new shocks and springs, brakes, stainless brake lines, and
>whatever else I can update/afford.
>
>When first sold this bike was called the Midnight Special. It had black
>chrome and black paint on most everything. I'm not going to fool around
>with all that. Some regular chrome, a slightly more moderate paint scheme,
>well, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Gotta get the thing running first.
>
>CS
>
you're a man after my own heart. make it safe first, then spiff it up but
above all ride it! if you ever come near mojave or death valley, i'll show you
the most beautiful places on the planet. riding in death valley is awesome and
not at all unsafe despite the name. you don't ride during the day in
june-september, but the rest of the year is fine.
keep us updated on your resto. and come visit.
if you can take pictures of the process, post them in a.b.test. you can't but
them here because this is a text group.
have fun....
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:15:52 GMT, someone.RemoveThis@some.domain wrote:

>In article <13dteqv12kva6df.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork.RemoveThis@fcc.gov> wrote:
>><someone.RemoveThis@some.domain> wrote in message
>>news:ucqDi.19265$CK1.15158@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>> In article <13dsapj1671off3.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork.RemoveThis@fcc.gov>
>>> wrote:
>>>>"Albrecht via MotorcycleKB.com" <u33665@uwe> wrote in message
>>>>news:77b11eb3fb011@uwe...
>>>>> CS wrote:
>>>>>>I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how the
>>>>>>heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.
>>>>>
>>>>> Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but not
>>>>> on
>>>>> the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a
>>>>> sheetmetal
>>>>> disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level should
>>>>> be
>>>>> at
>>>>> the hole.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>=650122&machineId=8242
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> #24: GAUGE,LEVEL (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass
>>>>> which
>>>>> is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of the
>>>>> cover
>>>>> where no human could see it.)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>=635650&machineId=8242
>>>>
>>>>Found the sight glass! Thanks!
>>>>
>>>>> #31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on
>>>>> when
>>>>> there's no oil pressure.
>>>>>
>>>>>>Is there a dipstick I can make or something?
>>>>>
>>>>> I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's a
>>>>> Harley
>>>>> and has one in the oil tank.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at
>>>>>>higher
>>>>>>RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn. All I have to do is fix that, and,
>>>>>>um,
>>>>>>everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh
>>>>>
>>>>> Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of
>>>>> Berryman
>>>>> B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of
>>>>> the
>>>>> liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the
>>>>> idle
>>>>> jets and idle passages.
>>>>>
>>>>> But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw so
>>>>> you
>>>>> can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same time.
>>>>>
>>>>> As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine will
>>>>> begin
>>>>> to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to
>>>>> compensate
>>>>> for dirty carbs.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>=641949&machineId=8242
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> #13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs at
>>>>> the
>>>>> same time.)
>>>>
>>>>Great tips! Thanks again!
>>>>
>>>>If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.
>>>>
>>>>CS
>>>>
>>>
>>> you got a bargain on a great bike. try to stick with factory stock as much
>>> as
>>> you can. IF your idea is the keep a classic. if you bought it for a real
>>> rider, update all the safety stuff you can. 27 years has added some real
>>> safety. i love old bikes and go both ways. the classic restos are ridden
>>> differently. usually a lot more gently.
>>
>>This bike will be a rider. By "restore" I mean restoring this bike to safe
>>and reliable operation, and if possible, make it look good. I'll be
>>throwing on new shocks and springs, brakes, stainless brake lines, and
>>whatever else I can update/afford.
>>
>>When first sold this bike was called the Midnight Special. It had black
>>chrome and black paint on most everything. I'm not going to fool around
>>with all that. Some regular chrome, a slightly more moderate paint scheme,
>>well, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Gotta get the thing running first.
>>
>>CS
>>
>you're a man after my own heart. make it safe first, then spiff it up but
>above all ride it! if you ever come near mojave or death valley, i'll show you
>the most beautiful places on the planet. riding in death valley is awesome and
>not at all unsafe despite the name. you don't ride during the day in
>june-september, but the rest of the year is fine.
>keep us updated on your resto. and come visit.
>if you can take pictures of the process, post them in a.b.test. you can't but
>them here because this is a text group.
>have fun....

Check out this great web site - www.xs11.com. everything you need to
know about these fantastic bikes. Excellent tech tips, and an active
discussion forum filled with helpful folks. If you can't find the
answer there the question hasn't been asked yet.

You will need to pull the carbs and clean them to get it to run right,
no way around that. DO NOT SOAK THEM in carb cleaner. It ruins the
carb butterfly shaft seals. The bike won't run righ if they leak and
they are a bitch to replace.

BTW, don't scrap any of those MNS parts, the gold stuff and black
chrome go for good $$ on ebay.

Once you get it running right make sure you HOLD ON TIGHT when you
give it some throttle. It's usually love at first twist.

I will have an xs11 till the day I die.

good luck
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

"acof911" <acof911.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1isvd3liqbikoo96oeioub78g505or7md8@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:15:52 GMT, someone.DeleteThis@some.domain wrote:
>
>>In article <13dteqv12kva6df.DeleteThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork.DeleteThis@fcc.gov>
>>wrote:
>>><someone.DeleteThis@some.domain> wrote in message
>>>news:ucqDi.19265$CK1.15158@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>> In article <13dsapj1671off3.DeleteThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS"
>>>> <idontwork.DeleteThis@fcc.gov>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>>"Albrecht via MotorcycleKB.com" <u33665@uwe> wrote in message
>>>>>news:77b11eb3fb011@uwe...
>>>>>> CS wrote:
>>>>>>>I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how
>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but
>>>>>> not
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a
>>>>>> sheetmetal
>>>>>> disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level
>>>>>> should
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> at
>>>>>> the hole.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>=650122&machineId=8242
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> #24: GAUGE,LEVEL (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass
>>>>>> which
>>>>>> is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> cover
>>>>>> where no human could see it.)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>=635650&machineId=8242
>>>>>
>>>>>Found the sight glass! Thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>>> #31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on
>>>>>> when
>>>>>> there's no oil pressure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Is there a dipstick I can make or something?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> Harley
>>>>>> and has one in the oil tank.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at
>>>>>>>higher
>>>>>>>RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn. All I have to do is fix that,
>>>>>>>and,
>>>>>>>um,
>>>>>>>everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of
>>>>>> Berryman
>>>>>> B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the
>>>>>> idle
>>>>>> jets and idle passages.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw
>>>>>> so
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same
>>>>>> time.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> begin
>>>>>> to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to
>>>>>> compensate
>>>>>> for dirty carbs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>=641949&machineId=8242
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> #13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs
>>>>>> at
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> same time.)
>>>>>
>>>>>Great tips! Thanks again!
>>>>>
>>>>>If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.
>>>>>
>>>>>CS
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> you got a bargain on a great bike. try to stick with factory stock as
>>>> much
>>>> as
>>>> you can. IF your idea is the keep a classic. if you bought it for a
>>>> real
>>>> rider, update all the safety stuff you can. 27 years has added some
>>>> real
>>>> safety. i love old bikes and go both ways. the classic restos are
>>>> ridden
>>>> differently. usually a lot more gently.
>>>
>>>This bike will be a rider. By "restore" I mean restoring this bike to
>>>safe
>>>and reliable operation, and if possible, make it look good. I'll be
>>>throwing on new shocks and springs, brakes, stainless brake lines, and
>>>whatever else I can update/afford.
>>>
>>>When first sold this bike was called the Midnight Special. It had black
>>>chrome and black paint on most everything. I'm not going to fool around
>>>with all that. Some regular chrome, a slightly more moderate paint
>>>scheme,
>>>well, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Gotta get the thing running
>>>first.
>>>
>>>CS
>>>
>>you're a man after my own heart. make it safe first, then spiff it up but
>>above all ride it! if you ever come near mojave or death valley, i'll show
>>you
>>the most beautiful places on the planet. riding in death valley is awesome
>>and
>>not at all unsafe despite the name. you don't ride during the day in
>>june-september, but the rest of the year is fine.
>>keep us updated on your resto. and come visit.
>>if you can take pictures of the process, post them in a.b.test. you can't
>>but
>>them here because this is a text group.
>>have fun....
>
> Check out this great web site - www.xs11.com. everything you need to
> know about these fantastic bikes. Excellent tech tips, and an active
> discussion forum filled with helpful folks. If you can't find the
> answer there the question hasn't been asked yet.
>
> You will need to pull the carbs and clean them to get it to run right,
> no way around that. DO NOT SOAK THEM in carb cleaner. It ruins the
> carb butterfly shaft seals. The bike won't run righ if they leak and
> they are a bitch to replace.
>
> BTW, don't scrap any of those MNS parts, the gold stuff and black
> chrome go for good $$ on ebay.
>
> Once you get it running right make sure you HOLD ON TIGHT when you
> give it some throttle. It's usually love at first twist.
>
> I will have an xs11 till the day I die.
>
> good luck

Thanks for the tips!

I have a question. There are two petcocks. Do I need to have both on when
the bike is running? I believe they each feed two of the carbs, but this
seems silly to me. I've tried running with both on, one on, and the other
on, but the darn thing runs so lousy I can't tell which is better! heh

I found a shop to do the carbs for $225, including the sync. Twenty years
ago I tried synchronizing two brand new carbs on a VW, and as far as I know,
they STILL aren't running right, so I consider this a bargain.

All I have to do is get it over there.

CS
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

In article <1isvd3liqbikoo96oeioub78g505or7md8 DeleteThis @4ax.com>, acof911 <acof911 DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:15:52 GMT, someone DeleteThis @some.domain wrote:
>
>>In article <13dteqv12kva6df DeleteThis @corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork DeleteThis @fcc.gov>
> wrote:
>>><someone DeleteThis @some.domain> wrote in message
>>>news:ucqDi.19265$CK1.15158@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>> In article <13dsapj1671off3 DeleteThis @corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork DeleteThis @fcc.gov>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>>"Albrecht via MotorcycleKB.com" <u33665@uwe> wrote in message
>>>>>news:77b11eb3fb011@uwe...
>>>>>> CS wrote:
>>>>>>>I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how the
>>>>>>>heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but not
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a
>>>>>> sheetmetal
>>>>>> disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level should
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> at
>>>>>> the hole.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>=650122&machineId=8242
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> #24: GAUGE,LEVEL (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass
>>>>>> which
>>>>>> is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of the
>>>>>> cover
>>>>>> where no human could see it.)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>=635650&machineId=8242
>>>>>
>>>>>Found the sight glass! Thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>>> #31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on
>>>>>> when
>>>>>> there's no oil pressure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Is there a dipstick I can make or something?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's a
>>>>>> Harley
>>>>>> and has one in the oil tank.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at
>>>>>>>higher
>>>>>>>RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn. All I have to do is fix that, and,
>>>>>>>um,
>>>>>>>everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of
>>>>>> Berryman
>>>>>> B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the
>>>>>> idle
>>>>>> jets and idle passages.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw so
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same time.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine will
>>>>>> begin
>>>>>> to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to
>>>>>> compensate
>>>>>> for dirty carbs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>=641949&machineId=8242
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> #13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs at
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> same time.)
>>>>>
>>>>>Great tips! Thanks again!
>>>>>
>>>>>If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.
>>>>>
>>>>>CS
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> you got a bargain on a great bike. try to stick with factory stock as much
>>>> as
>>>> you can. IF your idea is the keep a classic. if you bought it for a real
>>>> rider, update all the safety stuff you can. 27 years has added some real
>>>> safety. i love old bikes and go both ways. the classic restos are ridden
>>>> differently. usually a lot more gently.
>>>
>>>This bike will be a rider. By "restore" I mean restoring this bike to safe
>>>and reliable operation, and if possible, make it look good. I'll be
>>>throwing on new shocks and springs, brakes, stainless brake lines, and
>>>whatever else I can update/afford.
>>>
>>>When first sold this bike was called the Midnight Special. It had black
>>>chrome and black paint on most everything. I'm not going to fool around
>>>with all that. Some regular chrome, a slightly more moderate paint scheme,
>>>well, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Gotta get the thing running first.
>>>
>>>CS
>>>
>>you're a man after my own heart. make it safe first, then spiff it up but
>>above all ride it! if you ever come near mojave or death valley, i'll show you
>
>>the most beautiful places on the planet. riding in death valley is awesome and
>
>>not at all unsafe despite the name. you don't ride during the day in
>>june-september, but the rest of the year is fine.
>>keep us updated on your resto. and come visit.
>>if you can take pictures of the process, post them in a.b.test. you can't but
>>them here because this is a text group.
>>have fun....
>
>Check out this great web site - www.xs11.com. everything you need to
>know about these fantastic bikes. Excellent tech tips, and an active
>discussion forum filled with helpful folks. If you can't find the
>answer there the question hasn't been asked yet.
>
>You will need to pull the carbs and clean them to get it to run right,
>no way around that. DO NOT SOAK THEM in carb cleaner. It ruins the
>carb butterfly shaft seals. The bike won't run righ if they leak and
>they are a bitch to replace.
>
>BTW, don't scrap any of those MNS parts, the gold stuff and black
>chrome go for good $$ on ebay.
>
>Once you get it running right make sure you HOLD ON TIGHT when you
>give it some throttle. It's usually love at first twist.
>
>I will have an xs11 till the day I die.
>
>good luck

they are so much fun, perky acceleration, great cornering and even drags go
well. you got a deal and i envy you.
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

someone.DeleteThis@some.domain wrote:

>you're a man after my own heart. make it safe first, then spiff it up but
>above all ride it! if you ever come near mojave

In nearly half a century of driving/riding motorcycles, I must have stopped
in Mojave half a dozen times. It's a place that you pass through, on the way
to
Bakersfield or Lake Isabella, or the eastern Sierra Nevada range.

When I was stationed at Edwards AFB in the 1960's, my shooting buddy and I
used to roam all over the desert. One time he took me up Jawbone Canyon to
Paiute Mountain and we stopped at a place that must be Claraville now.

There was an old general store up there and we asked the old man who was
running it if we could get out of the mountains by heading south on the road
behind the store.

He advised against it, saying, "That's a jeep road, your car won't make it."

But, it was all downhill and I had to back the car up twice to make some of
the tight switchbacks.

The road came out in Walker basin or on Caliente Bodfish Rd, I don't know
which, but it was an adventure getting up into the Paiute mountains.

>or death valley, i'll show you
>the most beautiful places on the planet. riding in death valley is awesome and
>not at all unsafe despite the name. you don't ride during the day in
>june-september, but the rest of the year is fine.

If I was headed up 395 and I got to the Death Valley cutoff, I would pass it
by and keep going towards Lone Pine, Bishop, Mammoth, June Lake, Bridgeport,
etc. I've been to Death Valley four or five times and it's not as beautiful
as the Sierras.

--
Message posted via MotorcycleKB.com
http://www.motorcyclekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/yamaha/200709/1
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

CS wrote:

>I have a question. There are two petcocks. Do I need to have both on when
>the bike is running? I believe they each feed two of the carbs, but this
>seems silly to me. I've tried running with both on, one on, and the other
>on, but the darn thing runs so lousy I can't tell which is better! heh

Look to see if there is a straight short rubber hose connecting the pairs of
carbs together.

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.asp...eptId=6


39: DIAPHRAGM ASY

It looks like Yamaha didn't have vacuum operated petcocks, so they hooked up
two manual petcocks to a diaphragm assembly that acts as some kind of
automatic shutoff. Weird.

>I found a shop to do the carbs for $225, including the sync. Twenty years
>ago I tried synchronizing two brand new carbs on a VW, and as far as I know,
>they STILL aren't running right, so I consider this a bargain.

You work for the federal gummint? You would consider that a bargain.

But carburetor synchronization is a money making SCAM for mechanics that want
to charge you $100 every 10K miles to do something absolutely unnecessary.

In 44 years of riding, I have NEVER paid a shop mechanic to clean,
synchronize or otherwise adjust a motorcycle carburetor.

When the carbs get dirty, the engine runs rough, smart ass mechanics
synchronize the carbs without a proper cleaning, then you ride the bike and
alcohol additives in fresh gasoline clean the crud out of the carbs and they
are out of synch again because the mechanic has fiddled around with the
synchronization screws.

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.asp...eptId=6


53: IDLE JET (It may or may not have cross-drilled air emulsion holes to
premix gas and air. If you try to remove it for cleaning, be sure you have a
small slot screw driver that fits perfectly.)

55: JET HOLDER (It has air emulsion holes that premix air and gasoline for
smoother operation.It can be removed by pushing it up out of the carb body

57: JET,MAIN #110 (Main jets rarely get plugged up, but you can squirt carb
cleaner through the hole.)

62: NEEDLE VALVE SET (You can remove the needle valve seat with a wrench to
clean the little filter.)

63: O-RING

64: NET,FILTER

The carburetor sucks gasoline from the float bowl through the idle jet. It
sucks air through the pilot air jet, which is either in the intake of the
carb, or underneath the big rubber diaphragm.

Air and gas mix and then the idle mixture passage splits off. It goes to
three transition ports that are supposed to be covered by the bottom edge of
the throttle butterflies and it goes to the single idle mixture port which is
controlled by the idle mixture screw.

Each carb has one idle mixture screw on top of the carb in the round sprue
that sticks up in front of the diaphragm cap.

The screws are probably sealed with red goop. You can dig out the goop and
turn the screws all the way clockwise until they seat lightly. Count the
number of turns and write it down, then remove the idle mixture screws,
saving the spring, washer and rubber o-ring, and put each set into a
container so you won't mixt them up.

Then you can spray Berryman B12 carb cleaner down the hole to clean out the
idle port. When you spray B12 through the pilot air jet, it has to come out
of the
idle jet and out of the three transition ports.

If it doesn't come out all the holes, put your fingers over the holes it does
come out of, and keep spraying until you get a good flow of B12 out all those
holes.

Then you can reinstall each idle mixture screw, spring, washer, and o-ring
into the carb it came out of and screw it down until it just barely stops
turning. Then back out each screw the same number of turns you wrote down.

--
Message posted via MotorcycleKB.com
http://www.motorcyclekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/yamaha/200709/1
 >> Stay informed about: XS1100LG Dipstick? 

On Thu, 6 Sep 2007 15:30:28 -0700, "CS" <idontwork.RemoveThis@fcc.gov> wrote:

>"acof911" <acof911.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:1isvd3liqbikoo96oeioub78g505or7md8@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:15:52 GMT, someone.RemoveThis@some.domain wrote:
>>
>>>In article <13dteqv12kva6df.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS" <idontwork.RemoveThis@fcc.gov>
>>>wrote:
>>>><someone.RemoveThis@some.domain> wrote in message
>>>>news:ucqDi.19265$CK1.15158@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>>> In article <13dsapj1671off3.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>, "CS"
>>>>> <idontwork.RemoveThis@fcc.gov>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>"Albrecht via MotorcycleKB.com" <u33665@uwe> wrote in message
>>>>>>news:77b11eb3fb011@uwe...
>>>>>>> CS wrote:
>>>>>>>>I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how
>>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but
>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>> the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a
>>>>>>> sheetmetal
>>>>>>> disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level
>>>>>>> should
>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>> the hole.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>>=650122&machineId=8242
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> #24: GAUGE,LEVEL (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass
>>>>>>> which
>>>>>>> is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> cover
>>>>>>> where no human could see it.)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>>=635650&machineId=8242
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Found the sight glass! Thanks!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> #31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on
>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>> there's no oil pressure.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Is there a dipstick I can make or something?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> Harley
>>>>>>> and has one in the oil tank.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at
>>>>>>>>higher
>>>>>>>>RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn. All I have to do is fix that,
>>>>>>>>and,
>>>>>>>>um,
>>>>>>>>everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of
>>>>>>> Berryman
>>>>>>> B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the
>>>>>>> idle
>>>>>>> jets and idle passages.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw
>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>> can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same
>>>>>>> time.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine
>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>> begin
>>>>>>> to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to
>>>>>>> compensate
>>>>>>> for dirty carbs.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>> http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptId
>>>>>>=641949&machineId=8242
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> #13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs
>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> same time.)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Great tips! Thanks again!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>CS
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> you got a bargain on a great bike. try to stick with factory stock as
>>>>> much
>>>>> as
>>>>> you can. IF your idea is the keep a classic. if you bought it for a
>>>>> real
>>>>> rider, update all the safety stuff you can. 27 years has added some
>>>>> real
>>>>> safety. i love old bikes and go both ways. the classic restos are
>>>>> ridden
>>>>> differently. usually a lot more gently.
>>>>
>>>>This bike will be a rider. By "restore" I mean restoring this bike to
>>>>safe
>>>>and reliable operation, and if possible, make it look good. I'll be
>>>>throwing on new shocks and springs, brakes, stainless brake lines, and
>>>>whatever else I can update/afford.
>>>>
>>>>When first sold this bike was called the Midnight Special. It had black
>>>>chrome and black paint on most everything. I'm not going to fool around
>>>>with all that. Some regular chrome, a slightly more moderate paint
>>>>scheme,
>>>>well, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Gotta get the thing running
>>>>first.
>>>>
>>>>CS
>>>>
>>>you're a man after my own heart. make it safe first, then spiff it up but
>>>above all ride it! if you ever come near mojave or death valley, i'll show
>>>you
>>>the most beautiful places on the planet. riding in death valley is awesome </