1980 Yamaha XS11 Special

[2LZ]

Figured I'd start a new thread on the project.
As clean as the bike looks cosmetically, as always, I'm finding the ills (and bonuses) caused by others hands in the bike's past.

The bike has a 4-in-1 exhaust but a stock air box, which contained an ancient Uni filter. I've ordered four pod filters for it but will keep the stock air box in the shed.

I've also discovered that the bike has been re-jetted a little richer on the mains. Hopefully this means that someone knew what they were doing when the exhaust was installed.

The weird thing is that this bike came in a couple different fuel feed versions. One containing a vacuum manifold (Octy) and some did not. Either mine had already been removed (common fix), or it never had one. Regardless, the two petcocks are really odd. They have an off, on, and reserve positions, along with a fourth "prime" position.....and of course, there was no arrow on the handle. Does the handle point at the position?... or the opposite side of the handle? Each petcock also had two fuel outlets each, for a total of four.....but the bank of carbs only has two fuel inlets.

I finally got to the bottom of it all by internet research and also, taking them out of the tank and blowing through them, the old fashioned way. Glad I did because someone had swapped both petcocks side to side, then managed to feed the bank of carbs out of the "prime" outlets, and the "on" outlets were bridged side to side with a common hose. Either way, it was all wrong.

The brake fluid looked years old but bled out nice on the rear. I replaced it with some good DOT 4. I still have to do the fronts but won't get to that until the new bars arrive. The ones on it are bent.

So far each carb has been cleaning up nicely and I only found one (badly) stuck float. Got all four rebuild kits in yesterday, so that's going to be finished today.

[2LZ]

Got the carbs done today, as hoped. Just waiting on the new fuel tees so I can bolt them all together for mounting.
Also mounted the new intake boots. Glad I did this for two reasons. One, they're 40 years old and rubber. Two, I found two had been leaking at the face. No more..... Unfortunately, I had to Dremel off on froze-on clamp. I used what I had. Hell, they fit so tight, I may end up with a zip tie.
Also, the choke lever on these notoriously break off, so I made a new one. Much stronger than the original pot metal.

[TxTaoRider]

What a cool old bike. They were big and heavy and made great torque. Keep us updated!

[cheesy]

I know where there is one of those settling in the dirt in N Wisconsin. I've asked my almost BIL to let me rescue it, but after 15 years of him hemming and hawing, I gave up. He also 1200 Goldwing rotting away in my sisters garage.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by cheesy

I know where there is one of those settling in the dirt in N Wisconsin. I've asked my almost BIL to let me rescue it, but after 15 years of him hemming and hawing, I gave up. He also 1200 Goldwing rotting away in my sisters garage.

Really hate those people. "You can't have it but I'm just going to let it rot."

[2LZ]

Carbs done and mounted on new intake boots. Got the fuel line and fuel filters delivered today.
Waiting on the oil filter before I can fire it.
July in CA. It's hot. Fortunately Spot has the whole idea of the swamp cooler. She's spoiled. I keep the bottom half of the louvers pointed down to her level.

[2LZ]

Since I covered a lot of this in another thread, I'll just post a short update.

In the process of rebuilding the forks, I f-ed up my very first new fork seal....ever. Another pair should be here on Tuesday. The good part is, if I f-up another, I'll have a spare!

The very first parts I ordered were oil filters. They finally arrived yesterday. It's the only thing keeping me from firing the motor....other than having it dangling on a jack, at the moment because of a lack of front end. I ordered two filters for another change after the initial 50 miles. It's been a while since it's seen a fresh filter.

Should be a fun week, coming up. Finally get this thing off the rack so I can start the Yamaha CT1 project.

[2LZ]

Some more...

The goose neck bearings were super-chunky due to ancient grease so I dropped it out, cleaned and repacked. Butter smooth now.

Also included is a pic of the fuel lines and filters Chief helped with. Dual petcocks run to opposing carb banks and everything fit perfectly.

Also a pic of test fitting the new pod filters. The stock box (in perfect shape) will be stashed and sold with the bike.

[TxTaoRider]

Looking great!

[2LZ]

Shakedown cruise today. Been years since it ran (2015). I was expecting some valve issues due to build-up but no. Ran like a scalded cat. The bench sync worked out fine other than idle adjust. Snappy throttle response once operating temp and the choke rebuild acted perfectly. I could use this luck on other projects!

Ran it at cruise at 4500r's in fourth gear, cracked throttle down the road....and it sang like a Singer sewing machine.

On the way back, I opened it up to about 7000 r's and after 4500, it ramped up like a 2 stroke.Wow!

Tomorrow....Mrs. 2LZ is heading to her dads in Sac. More hot laps to follow.....

[dinhviquan10]

great, excellent, wonderfull. original

[herbie]

Just kind of curious, I know the XS1100 would spank the wee strom but how would it compare down low to mid range? I'm glad the pod filters are working out for you, I too have heard of a lot of issues with them and cv carbs. Great looking bike for sure!

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by herbie

Just kind of curious, I know the XS1100 would spank the wee strom but how would it compare down low to mid range? I'm glad the pod filters are working out for you, I too have heard of a lot of issues with them and cv carbs. Great looking bike for sure!

Hey herbie! Let me put a few more miles on it and I'll let you know. The front binders are still not right and I have a new master cylinder coming. I figured if it goes like hell, I better make it stop the same way. ;-)

I can tell you this though, compared to the Wee (26 years tech difference), the XS11 is a TANK! Just shoving it onto my bike lift is a hernia popper.

The Wee, as you've experienced, while not super-powerful, has one of the most useful power curves I've ever ridden. Completely friendly across the tach. On the XS11, it's just a brute. It's amazing how far bikes have come. Old bikes are cool and nostalgic, but man, you have to pilot them.

[herbie]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

The Wee, as you've experienced, while not super-powerful, has one of the most useful power curves I've ever ridden. Completely friendly across the tach. On the XS11, it's just a brute. It's amazing how far bikes have come. Old bikes are cool and nostalgic, but man, you have to pilot them.

It’s been so long since I’ve rode one of the old school bikes I almost forgot what it’s like. My fondest memory was in high school with a orange Honda 750 4 cylinder. That bike ran like a striped ape, until the Rd350 went against it! In a 1/8 mile that 2 stroker would kick its butt, but like a train the old 750 would pick up steam as it went along.

[TxTaoRider]

I've got a friend with an 82 gs1100e, stock suspension (sonic fork springs) with an 1150 engine. Ive got the same bike with an 88 gsxr1100
front end w/ sonic springs, emulators, and the much bigger brakes and Progressive shocks. Mine handles allot better, but the most noticeable difference is the brakes. I feel almost unsafe trying to stop his bike with the stock stuff.