81 XS 1100 Start

[BrettS]

I reckon there are two main influences that will direct where I go with this project. I love wielding the spanner but I hate it when things are hard to work on so making the bike easier to work on is important to me. Also it has to tell a good story.  So I have never been a restorer.
Being a welder I would love to try a bobber but somehow the XS11 seems to lose it's spirit as a bobber in my limited opinion. Sooo I think I will be heading down a mild cafe racer style. Simplify the bike showing of that stomper of an engine while still keeping the unique spirit of the XS11.

The plan to get there is as I suggested I would like to get the bike up and going on the road again in the first instance if for nothing else but getting to know the bike. Then I think it would be good to do the slight modifications while still on the road before a full strip and rebuild.   

So after taking that air filter assembly I think the first modification should be that it stays off 
I think the 4 single filters would be an obvious choice for me.

I think a full rebuild of the carbies is a good idea but I would like to see if I can get the motor fired up at least first to get a better idea of what is needed to get it back on the road.
So now I have the air filter of will the "vacuum" hoses that where connected to the air filter assembly cause much issue to the starting/running of the motor and can I connect them elsewhere or maybe block them off?

Here are some pics that Might help in the ID of the bike and also showing the carby fuel line setup. The seat seems to not be original as it has a price model and name of buyer written on the bottom. The fuel tank also has four outlets with two blocked off so it seems something has changed here?
Not sure how well it will run with cracked carby mounts so I guess they will be first on the list with the carby rebuild. What kit should I buy to rebuild the carby's ?










Thanks again for all the help and comments it is all very interesting and exciting to discover this bike 

[BrettS]

Got the battery fully charged and still no fire. Then fuel starts running out of the air filter assembly. Hmm strange.
Checked for spark by removing spark plug lead then inserting screwdriver into it and positioning near spark plug terminal. I guessed it was not a good idea to hold onto the lead as Dad used to get me to do on the lawn mower  Guess these might have a little more kick  So I hope this is an acceptable way to check for spark on these.
Anyway there was no spark. Hmm This is where my knowledge is at it's least so thought I would start on the carby issue for now.
I managed to get the air filter assembly off and it did have fuel in it. I connected the fuel tank back up turned the fuel on again and cranked it over. Couldn't see any fuel comming out again so not sure what that was about. (pics of fuel line setup to follow Errol)

Ok back to the spark issue, As I said I am not an electricians a hole but as help in this regard is at least days away maybe it is about time I learnt how to work something out that I have no idea about.
I just bought a digital multimeter that I have no idea how to use  (about time I learnt I think) Just in case I needed it.
So is there a way I can check the coils?

Uploading some more pics that might help with ID and I will explain where I am thinking of going with "Dusty"
 

[Eveready1100]

This is where I found that photo. - CLICK. I discovered it while investigating the seat that John (bluedayt) bought for his RH. Must be a pseudo US spec bike.

Police bikes tend to cover high miles... (sorry, km) Hi mileage XS11's frequently suffer from breaks in the flexible wires from the ignition pick-up coils

Doesn't necessarily mean trouble. Mine still hasn't had issues with them. Also, while in service, the police bikes were fastidiously maintained. They were a giant leap forward for the officers who rode them from the Honda 750's they replaced.

[Miti]

I'm with Errol and Eddy here... This is an '81 H Model (my personal favourite BTW) with the smaller tank fitted...

So, things to note about the bike:

The H is a variation of the "Standard" XS1100.  So things like footrests, foot levers and exhausts were all harvested from the original Standard model (2H7/2H8/2H9).

The H Model frame is modified to accept the tapered side-panels from the Special models.  The H seat is also a "special" one, with lower sides, matching the lines of the side-panels.  It's closest match would be the seat from the original SF (3H3) model, which also has a closed off rear end (the other specials' seats had open ends where the tail-light fits...

With regard to the engine, it certainly seems to have originated in a police bike (the H engines were silver and the 5H4 eng no is a dead giveaway).  Other than the colour, the engines from both models were largely the same and the TCIs from both bikes are compatible (so no worries there).

Why won't it start..?  Well, I'll bet a dead squirrel and five rats that the carbs are bunged up to buggery and back... It's an XS11 and that's what they do.  If you seriously want to get her fired up and useable, whip the carbs off and get them/have them stripped and cleaned.  It's the BEST way to get an XS useable and reliable.

But... Police bikes tend to cover high miles... (sorry, km) Hi mileage XS11's frequently suffer from breaks in the flexible wires from the ignition pick-up coils... If there's no spark, that would be my first point of call...

HTH

Miti

[excess.11]

Errol .........the pic you posted is not an Australian nor Oceanic model.
To my knowledge .............the "Standard".......did nt arrive here with those angled side covers........nor an alloy finished motor.
Where that model in the pic fits into the world market i m not sure.
Also the seat on Bretts bike looks to be of an RH vintage.......and would have different seat mounts......as well as different frame mounts for the side covers.
Here is a H model that would of been imported into Australia........
http://motoprofi.com/motospecspictures/yamaha/xs_1100-1982.html

The reference to the "Police model"..would explain it s differences.............of which..i m sooooo happy to say.........i ve had not a lot to do with in the past......
I also notice that the rear indicators are mounted where the USA variety had them...........not on the tail light assembly as we have  here.

[XSIIE]

Hi Bretts,

The fork brace is  the same as the one on my E model. Definitely after market.  I'm not convinced that it improves handling coz I ride like an old moll but when polished the brace looks sweet.

Check the link for model info

http://www.xs11.com/faqs/153-serial-numbersmodel-designationsfactory-colors.html

 I believe that your frame number indicates an 81 H  standard model.  If you troll through the photos on the list it is the red and silver model.

Are you thinking custom or taking back to original looking?

Cheers

Eddy
78E (sunny sundays)
81H (in 1 million pieces)
81RH (transport)
81RH (undecided as yet)
 

 

Your engine is from a police bike.

[AussiXS11G]

Nah mates - this is a standard "G" ...... The most attractive of all the models....


or not quite so standard....

[BrettS]

Thanks Jonesy I will keep reading the older threads.
Thanks also for the Link Errol I was just about to start looking for a manual so that was real easy.

My first thought was mine would be only a standard. Is there something that suggests this would be a special?
One thing I have noticed is that there is a brace connecting the forks just above the mudguard. I have trouble finding this on any of the pictures I see. I read that bracing the forks such as this could improve the handling. This looks factory to me so I was wondering if it was included on the later model bikes.   
Not sure at the moment but the headlight might not be working at the moment so I will have a poke around at the wiring and see how the harness is.
I found a site the other day that listed all the fuel tank sizes for this bike. It was on a fuel consumption chart but I can't find it now?
Bugger
Thanks for all the replies, Oh are you suggesting that this could have been a cop bike Errol?

[Eveready1100]

Actually doesn't look to be too far from stock, if you compare this pic of a standard "G"



The seat and sidecover profiles look ok. The alloy footpeg mount brackets are also correct for the model It's just that it's got the little tank on it that throws the look.
I noticed the engine prefix identifies it as a Police model motor.

[excess.11]

Bretts , aside from the starting probs.......i see your bike is a "Bitsa".
The front end/wheel is all off a "Standard" model.....along with the gauges.......rear wheel as well.....and tail light assembly....probably the rear mudgaurd as well as indicators.
Being that this is the case.....is raises the question as to the originality and mating of the parts to suit all the electrical requirements from the loom to all the auxillary components.
Start with the number of the TCI unit........what does that read?
Also drop the headlight out of the shell and see what is going on regarding the connectors behind there ........are they cut and joined or simply all plugged into each other as you would expect ?

[Eveready1100]

Don't worry about the unleaded fuel, mate. All the XS11's run quite happily on plain old unleaded, unless it's had a hi-comp kit fitted to it, when a premuim fuel would be advisable.
The usual fuel line setup has the left tap feeding the right pair of carbs, and the right tap feeding the left. Inline filters are a good idea as they'll stop a lot of muck that would otherwise play havoc with the carbs, These are normally fitted to the lines as they cross over under the carbs.
My bike's a bit of a mess in that region as I've got the octy valve (pic in previous reply) with all its associated plumbing and have the inline filters under the carbs.

Have you got a manual for the bike?
 If not, click on this link then go to the right hand side of the page and select which one you need. These will be U.S. versions, but most details are the same as ours - CLICK TO LINK

[Jonesy]

Hey Brett going back through some old posts here these thing were apparently designed to handle unleaded

[BrettS]

Thanks Errol that should give me a great start in the morning.

I found the engine number to be 5H4000129

The number on the vin plate which is my best guess is the frame number is 3x1003913

I have had a look at the fuel line and it looks like there may be some new little filter there and line going back and forth but can't make it out at the moment. The old owner lifted the tank to check something with the fuel so I will have a better look in the light of the morning.

Oh one thing I forgot to mention was the last owner has de-rusted the fuel tank. I can see it has fresh pale yellow paint on the inside.
The owner and I where unsure what fuel it was suposed to use. He believes when the cousin had the motor rebuilt it had the valves modified so that it now runs on unleaded. I put a fresh dose of 98 octane unleaded for now. The last owner said he will check with his cousin. I wonder if I should put some of the leaded additive in?

[Eveready1100]

So my plan at the moment is to get the bike running, clean it up some get it registered and then ride it about for a while until I decide where I want to go from there.

That's a healthy plan, mate.
Regarding the spark, or absence of any, the current draw from the starter motor can drop the battery voltage to the point that the TCI (ignition unit) won't have enough power to function. It requires at least 10.5 volts to operate, so a good healthy battery is a must have.

As for checking fuel flow to the carbs, the easiest (but messy) way to check would be to undo the drain bolt in a carb float bowl and let it empty out. (catching the fuel is an option) Then turn the fuel taps to the prime position to bypass the vacuum valves and fuel should now come running out the bottom of the carby. Do one on each side as these have two separate fuel feed lines from the tank.

BTW, from the photo you've posted, "Dusty" has the 15 litre tank on it so it hasn't got vacuum fuel taps on it. Can you see if there is any other devices looking like this


downstream from the fuel taps?
Also, if you could list the first 3 letters / numbers of your engine / frame number to positively identify what model bike we're dealing with would really help.
                                                                    Errol

[BrettS]

Ok so I have introduced myself here http://xs1100.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=1618.0
Which might be helpful to anyone offering advice to me.

So here is my XS11 straight off the trailer this afternoon.

 
It cost me $850. I haven't even got it to fire yet but the previous owner seemed honest enough so I will tell the story as I remember he told.
He bought the bike of his cousin several years ago. His cousin had the engine rebuilt spending much more than he should have apparently? Since then the bike has only done 500km I think he said.
He recently purchased a new battery and solenoid after going over the electrics. It has a miss that he believes he has traced back to the carby's. I have read that some rubber seals in the carby's cause what sounds like a similar problem.
He has only ridden the bike a couple of times since he owned it and he did not notice any slipping from second gear so that is a good sign but from the sounds of it but it does not sound like he gave it a long hard run. So my plan at the moment is to get the bike running, clean it up some get it registered and then ride it about for a while until I decide where I want to go from there.

Although the battery seemed to be turning the motor over enough I put it on charge with a 12 volt 2.5 amp charger. A couple of hours later it was turning over faster but still no spark of life. Rain and night put an end to the fun so I will start by checking for a spark in the morning. 
If it was an old Holden and I had spark I would just tip some fuel down the carby not sure that will work on a motor with a carby for each cylinder so what is the best way to check that the fuel is getting where it is needed for a fire?

Thanks in advance for all the advice I am sure I will need.
Brett