VSTAR 1100 Maintenance

    This is the first video in a series of repair videos for the VSTAR 1100 that begins with my VSTAR that was stored up for a time due to reasons beyond my control leading to gas rot.  This is not really a big deal as it can be solved doing a comprehensive maintenance, something I do anyway on this 2001 Silverado edition.

    Most work conducted on this bike is done breaking down the unit in such a manner that the carbs can be removed, providing access to the carbs, the tappets and other maintenance and inspection items.

     This video covers these breakdown preparation actions as well is what is found along the way, so that items can be inspected and repaired in upcoming videos.



Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Disassembly with Carb Removal for General Maintenance





      Next is the first in a two part series on the complete disassembly, cleaning and reassembly of my dual Mikuni CV carbs for the VSTAR 1100.  It goes into much much much detail.

     Note that after spending the same day on the Delorean AC I said a part was an 'orifice tube' and not emulsion tube.   Further note that canned air was used in the example.   I would never do a final cleaning with canned air.  I use real air pressure from a compressor at much higher pressures.   The canned air is only a prop.


Leak testing is important,   you will notice the jig.    Notice the jig....



Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Carburetor Rebuild - Part 1 of 2





     This is the conclusion in a two part series on the complete disassembly, cleaning and reassembly of my dual Mikuni CV carbs for the VSTAR 1100.  It goes into much much much detail.

Emphasis here on mating the carbs back to each other on the bracket once both are completed.



Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Carburetor Rebuild - Part 2 of 2






     The regularly scheduled maintenance procedure of checking and setting the valve lash on the VSTAR 1100 is conducted showing the technique that i've used over the years to accomplish this task which is pretty much by the book.   I like to keep my numbers center of the margins.

     This is done in conjunction with the teardown video as the carbs are removed and the access is very easy.



Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Valve adjustment - Checking and Adjusting






We look at an issue discovered with the shutoff valve during some maintenance done on the bike.   Since the bike was being disassembled from the breakdown video, the whole tank was on the bench where the  valve could be removed and the tank could be flushed.

    The valve was completely refitted with a gasket replacement kit.


Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Fuel Shutoff Valve - Maintenance and Repair






     Having completed several maintenance procedure including the Carb rebuild, valve adjustment and tank and cable repairs, the reassembly of everything is now underway.  This process is the exact reverse as the first video in this series.

    The first being the carb, situating it between the frame and ultimately into the manifold.  This is followed by the 90 degree rubber hoses for the intake.    The fuel lines can then be safely connected as well as the electrical connections.

     This brings the project to the enrichener cable re-connection, followed by the two throttle cables.

     Normally an airbox would follow this but I have a Maxair podkit.   Regardless, this is a good time to purge the residual fuel in the system before reconnecting everything back to the carbs by way of the electric pump and a small gas tank..  The option to replace the fuel filter is also shown here.

     Then the hoses are reconnected to the carbs and the bowls are filled.   This is the time to check for leaks, both under the carbs and in the 90 degree tubes to see if the carbs overflowed.  

     The airbox then goes back on followed by the gas tank which has a main harness reconnected. followed by the fuel line to the gas tank.

     Yarn is added to the timing chain tensioner to confirm a leak suspicion.   

     Firing up the bike for the first time points towards an immediate electrical problem requiring repair.  This is the second time these connectors failed.  This time 3 sealed unions were made to solve the problem.

     The bike is restarted and synced to confirm everything is working good.  With that the rest of the assembly is conducted, plastichrome and all.



Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Carb Install and Bike Reassembly after General Maintenance







     After getting the bike back together, the wife and I took our bikes to the coast for a test drive.   Id noticed when letting off of the throttle that the speedometer started shutting down which immediately gave me cause for concern as this is a low voltage indication and cause for charging system failure.   Testing showed however this was not the case.

     Why would the speedometer and then later discovered the turning signals only work just fine when laying on the gas but die when slowing down?   A shorted cable?   an opening ground?  connecting or disconnecting from inertial forces????


     The answer is stranger than you think!!!!



Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Strange Electrical issue - Intermittent Speedo and Signals







NOTE ** While under the bike I mistakenly said oil gets THICKER instead of THINNER with increased temperature  and this made it through editing.  This was pointed out through usual internet vitrio1 so i'm putting the correction here **

In this video I conduct what is a standard oil change procedure on a VSTAR 1100 without one of those filter relocation kits, discussing some of the reasons why I opted NOT to get this kit;  Showing some of the advantages that can be had while only adding 10 extra minutes to the job.

    This begins with the removal of my front cylinder slip-on pipe, followed by the loosening of the floorboard on the right foot side.  This was followed by the removal of the exhaust pipe off of the motor.
I also remove the screw that holds the rear brake reservoir, this makes the job a lot easier. 

     With all of this removed, the whole side of the bike was able to be inspected . An 11/16 spanner and small hammer was used to break the tension on the screw of the oil pan and retightened after my custom roll-around was situated. While draining, I move to the filter.

     This starts with the outer chrome cover, keeping in mind the different sized screws removed, revealing the oil filter cover that pulls right out, exposing the filter.

     Having inspected and cleaned up everything and swapped the filter the filter cover is reinserted and the chrome cover is reapplied after the surrounding chrome areas of the bike are cleaned up.  Ive taken this opportunity to clean up all of the hard to reach areas at this point as well as inspect the voltage regulator.

     This is also where Ive decided to do a rear brake fluid flush in a separate video.   Which is linked in this video.

     The nut is re-tightened onto the pan after it is cleaned and it is tightened.  I then treat the exhaust studs with anti-seize as I go through a sequence to re-mount the exhaust pipes, and then the rear brake reservoir.

    The wife assists with the final step, adding the oil, which is pretty straight forward but documented anyway.  The important note is the level should be correct and  the oil light should go out when you turn on the ignition and also when you turn on the bike.

I use Yamalube 10w40


Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Oil change with filter - Without relocation kit





     While conducting an oil change on the bike Ive decided that now would be a good time to flush the rear brakes, by the looks of the fluid in the reservoir, having the exhaust pipe removed this is really easy.  The fluid is definitely orange, so this will have to happen. I put a sample in a cap for closer inspection for the video.

    I already have a Harbor freight Brake fluid bleeder item number 92924 so this is an easy job.  The procedure for the setup and task is explained in the video.  Naturally I pull extra through to flush the caliper until the color of the liquid is clear.

    The cap parts are cleaned before being re-introduced to the reservoir.  Brakes are carefully tested before the bike is put back on the road!!!

    If you are not qualified to do this, take it to someone who is.

Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Maintenance - Rear Brake System Flush - Pneumatic method





Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Pneumatic Front Brake Flush

     Having finished flushing the rear brakes, with all of the equipment out, i'd decided to quickly inspect the front brake fluid and found that it too could use a flush as well.   This follows a similar procedure to the rear brake except for the fact that once one caliper is used to flush the system, the second caliper must be done simply to flush that leg of the system as well.


   The cap parts are cleaned before being re-introduced to the reservoir.  Brakes are carefully tested before the bike is put back on the road!!!

    If you are not qualified to do this, take it to someone who is.



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