Merriam Cycles - Hi-Performance

ï»¿

Merriam Cycles - Vintage Japanese Motocycles

Hi-Performance

Hi-Performance

“YELLOW JACKET”
A MERRIAM CYCLE HIGH PERFORMANCE VERSION OF THE XS ELEVEN YAMAHA AS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE

Some areas of this page use QuickTime for video display.

Click here to download a free QuickTime Player

To rotate image 360 degrees, click and hold your mouse button on the image while moving your mouse left & right

Click on images for larger view.

We thought you might be getting bored with just replacement parts to keep your lifetime motorcycle ( the XS eleven) going, so we decided to add some irresistible ideas to our repertoire. High performance goodies like you’ve never seen them before for our oldie, but goodie XS ELEVEN. All of the performance accessory components that went into making this super trick XS1100 excluding the paint scheme, are in stock at Merriam Cycle and are listed here below with current prices, subject to change only if manufactures who make some of them should increase them to us.

POWER INCREASING COMPONENTS

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ADVANTAGES OF POWER COMPONENTS

1. Wiseco 1196cc big bore kit Call (913)677-4663 For Price

a). Includes pistons, rings, wrist pins and clips and a head gasket.

2. Cylinders bored out and hand honed to .001.5 to .002 Call (913)677-4663 For Price
3. Cylinder head hand ported and relieved and valves reseated, Call (913)677-4663 For Price
4. Top end gasket set Call (913)677-4663 For Price
5. Dynojet kit only Call (913)677-4663 For Price

a). If we install kit and clean carb’s Call (913)677-4663 For Price

6. Accel coils Call (913)677-4663 For Price

a). If we modify brackets and make connectors to bolt into stock mount points on XS1100 Ready coils $ 250.00

7. K&N air cleaner element for stock airbox. Call (913)677-4663 For Price
8. 4-1 Exhaust system Call (913)677-4663 For Price

INCREASED HANDLING COMPONENTS

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ADVANTAGES OF POWER COMPONENTS

1. Fork brace $169.95
2. Progressive rear shocks and springs Call (913)677-4663 For Price
3. Progressive heavy duty fork springs Call (913)677-4663 For Price
4. LTD style handle bar Call (913)677-4663 For Price

INCREASED BRAKING COMPONENTS

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ADVANTAGES OF POWER COMPONENTS

1. Russell steel braided brake lines and fittings front and rear. Call (913)677-4663 For Price
2. Cross drilled brake rotors $ 200.00 each, all three Call (913)677-4663 For Price

BODY PART COMPONENTS

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ADVANTAGES OF POWER COMPONENTS

1. Cafe fairing for round headlight Call (913)677-4663 For Price
2. Cafe fairing for Rectangular headlight Call (913)677-4663 For Price
3. Cafe ABS PLASTIC front fender black 5” width Call (913)677-4663 For Price
4. Engine scoop (special and needs to be painted) Call (913)677-4663 For Price
5. Sport bike fairing mirrors

a. must re-enforce fairing from inside windscreen with sheet aluminum when mounting to fairing Call (913)677-4663 For Price each

6. Flat black upholstered seat cover (custom/us) Call (913)677-4663 For Price
7. Engine case guards Call (913)677-4663 For Price set
8. High intensity driving lights with harness and lighted switch Call (913)677-4663 For Price
9. Z rated tires available prices depend on brand etc. call for quote

ALL PRICES ARE PLUS SHIPPING

These are the major accessory components used on the Yellow Jacket, but many other parts and materials were involved on our prototype as the entire motorcycle was disassembled including the frame and repainted with new steering stem bearings, new handlebar switch assemblies (which are no longer available from Yamaha) we had accumulated all of these parts over several years in order to create this one of a kind bike. It even has a complete new factory wiring harness. All of the carburetor parts are new inside. Beside the Dynojet kit parts it has new floats and float needle assemblies and all new jets with factory #45 pilots and Dynojet #132 mains.

The transmission has the second gear modification with the spacer relocated on the other side of the fifth wheel gear. On a 1978 Standard the fifth wheel is in two pieces unlike later models giving better lubrication, however the replacement gears made later will interchange in this bike. Moving the spacer in question to allow full meshing of 2nd gear requires a bevel on the spacer with a hand grinder as the tran’s shaft on this model has a taper where the fifth wheel gear is riding instead of a square shoulder as the later ones do. If the spacer is moved with out making this taper to duplicate the gear that has it too. The fifth wheel will bind up on the shaft and could overheat the transmission resulting in a failure anyway, so if the modification is not made this way, the cure could be worse than the cause.

When repairing these transmission 2nd gears and others. We are aware of several customers and XS1100 owners that have been able to change out the parts just to 2nd gear itself with the engine in the frame. They have also avoided buying new gears by grinding the gear dogs at back cut angles for more pulling power on each other like many race motorcycles have in them. This will work for awhile, but be aware that when you grind on the gears you go through the hardened surface that the factory created by dropping them in vats of liquid as they were red hot off the press. This hardening is only on the surface, not clear though the gear as many people would think. Thus, grinding them is a way to fix it if there is no new gears available. Presently gears are available. We have them in stock. We would recommend using them as long as we can still get them and also splitting the lower cases with the engine out of the frame to put them in. It only takes a few minutes longer to do this and as opposed to pulling the bike up with a chain hoist or turning it upside down and possibly damaging other costly and hard to get parts, it is a far better way to go. Then you can examine the shift cam and all of the gears on the other shaft too, which are not accessible otherwise. We thought it might be helpful to some of you to point out these things, so you won’t have to do the transmission work again later on.

The Yellow Jacket is an example to all of you, what can be done with an XS1100. It is living proof that you can have a 150mph motorcycle out of what you already have and don’t need to purchase one of these new one purpose bikes of today. We haven’t tested the Yellow Jacket yet at the time of this writing, but the 1978 XS1100 in stock form had a top speed of 136mph and a quarter mile time of 11.4 seconds. With the changes we have made to Yellow Jacket we have added at least 40 hp to it’s compliment. We also shaved 28.5 pounds off the bike’s total weight. With a ratios of 9 lb. per gal that’s another 3 hp. With all of this in mind we don’t think it’s going to be much of a stretch to expect a full second off the quarter mile performance and at least 14 mph more on top speed. In fact I think that will be very conservative knowing the bike as I do, but we’ll be getting back to you on that stuff when we get some actual data from road tests.

Any of you guys out there who have XS1100’s can order any of the before mentioned parts for your own bikes as usual by calling us at (913) 677-4663 from 10:30 to 6:00 Tues., Through’ Fri. and until 5:00 on Sat. Central standard time zone with credit card info. We have all of these parts in stock and ready for shipment.

CALL US AND TRY SOME OF THIS STUFF
YOU’LL BE THRILLED WITH YOU BIKE , EVEN MORE!

Back To Top

ADVANTAGES TO POWER COMPONENTS

1. Advantage to the Wiseco big bore kit:

a). On a touring equipped XS1100 the bore kit is extremely advantageous for extra power to carry a load of luggage and or a passenger.
b). You still have ample power to pass at high speed without so much as a gear change, just roll on the throttle and your gone like a rocket and back in your lane in an instant. Far safer than a stock bike.
c). On a touring or commuter bike Cylinder Head porting should not be done as some low in torque will be lost. The bigger bore and higher compression is easier to handle alone. The engine acts as a brake when you let off of the throttle. In traffic on a freeway you’ll rarely need to use the brakes, thus saving them in wear.

2. Cylinder Head Porting:

a). Can be even more power for drag strip or even top end running if you want a lot more speed.
b). You may need to get some Z rated tires with this feature for safety on highway runs.
c). H rated okay for drag strip as high speed only sustained a few seconds. No heat problem possible.

3. Accel Coils:

a). Make 40,000 volts which is 10,000 volts higher than stock coils and cost about the same.
b). This makes a hotter spark and results in more power.
c). With the higher compression of the bore kit this is very helpful in firing the plugs under more pressure that’s in effect trying to put fire out.
d). They will increase performance on the stock XS1100 engine alone.

4. Dynojet Kit:

a). The manufacturer claims a 20% increase in power with the kit alone if in-stalled properly.
b). The key is the right needle clip position and the proper set of main jets.
c). The kit can improve performance, warm up time and even mileage on a stock XS1100 when used in conjunction with a K&N air cleaner in the stock airbox.
d). A must with the big bore kit installed to get maximum throttle response at all speeds.

5. K&N Air Cleaner Element for stock air box:

a). Increases air flow to the carb’s by 100%.
b). It’s cleanable and reusable.
c). The individual units are hard to jet for and you cannot ride in rain with them because they suck water into the engine.
d). The K&N in the airbox can nearly duplicate performance of individuals.

Back To Top

ADVANTAGES TO HANDLING COMPONENTS

1. Fork Brace:

a). It will eliminate front fork flex when cornering or just going over a driveway lip.
b). It’s a big help in fast corners on wavy pavement, keeping the unit from oscillating. That feeling like you’re slightly out of control.
c). It’s an absolute must with a touring fairing frame mounted.

2. Progressive rear shocks:

a). I have tried about every shock made in the last 25 years and the XS1100 seems to handle the best and carry the most with the Progressive 1201.
b). Using either standard or heavy duty springs depending on the load.
c). If sport riding or cruising in town, standard springs are better unless you have a very large girl friend, then the heavier ones are okay.
d). For touring with a heavy load on the road the heavy springs should be employed.
e). For exceptional ground clearance with a heavy load on the road, if your leg length will allow it, you can use 13” long shocks that also fit the V-MAX. Stock is 12 1/2” long. The extra 1/2” sets the bike a little higher, but will make a considerable difference when braking hard in a fast corner and the forks are compressed.

3. Heavy duty Progressive fork springs:

a). Have a larger diameter wire and more tight windings at the top.
b). This results in more strength for holding up the bike and slows down their collapse when braking hard.
c). They work better than most anti-dive units on later fork assemblies.
d). Original springs have sagged from the bikes’ own weight after many years of setting or riding. New springs will bring back the original travel distance of the fork tubes.

4. LTD handlebars:

a). More leverage and better control than any other bar, even when pushing the unit.

Back To Top

ADVANTAGES OF PERFORMANCE BRAKING COMPONENTS

1. Russell steel braided brake lines:

a). Will not expand under pressure when brakes are applied.
b). This results in all of the exerted pressure by the master cylinder pump to push directly on the caliper piston.
c). It will make a rock hard brake lever and literally double braking power.

2. Cross drilled brake disc rotors:

a). This will lighted each rotor by half a pound of unsprung weight.
b). Cooling for brake disc’s is dramatically increased.
c). Water is cleared away from disc surface faster, thus better braking even in rain.
d). Improves the look of your bike with a high tech appearance.

Back To Top

ADVANTAGES OF BODY PART COMPONENTS

1. Cafe fairing:

a). Has a sport bike appearance to up date the overall look of the XS1100
b). Fairings are available for both round and rectangular head lights.
c). Has a four point mount for stability at high speed.
d). Will support sport bike mirrors with a sheet aluminum reinforcement for the mirror.
e). Removes from the bike with four bolts that are easy to access in 5 minutes, allowing service to the head light and it’s internal wiring. Also the instruments.
f). A cut out on the side allows the lamp stay reflectors on the Standard to still be from the side when waiting at stop signs and traffic lights in the dark.

2. The plastic cafe front fender:

a). Totally changes the front end appearance and lightens up the bike in unsprung weight by 1.3 pounds compared to the stock chrome fender.
b). Comes in black plastic an can be drilled to fit any XS1100 and painted to match any color scheme.
c). It’s stream lined out and around the fork legs for less drag. Much more aerodynamic than the stock fender.

3. The engine scoop:

a). Made from a very thick piece of ABS Plastic which touring Fairings are constructed from, it is extremely ridged and durable.
b). Mounts to the frame via brackets furnished and hose clamps on the rear. At the front it bolts to the engine mount bolts. All holes are predrilled.
c). It directs air into the header pipes and engine cooling fins and streamlines the bike, not to speak of the fact it looks very cool.
d). The scoop will only fit with a 4-1 exhaust, as the dual system comes along the frame on each side where the scoop must be attached at it’s rear.
e). On the standard models of 1978 through 1980 the seat trim and tail piece along with the rear fender and tail light assembly can be painted to match the front end plastic as we have done on Yellow Jacket. This ties the entire unit together and looks as if the bike came from a factory this way.

4. A 4-1 exhaust system:

a). There are a couple of different ones around, but they are scarce. We have found that the Jardine is about the best one still available and even it, is very hard to get. We waited nearly a year for our last order of them. We have 4 systems in stock at this writing.
b). Unbeknownst to most people 4-1 exhausts do not make more horse power. They do however, weigh considerably less and 1hp= aprox 9 lbs so if you save 25 lbs in weight you will gain a little power to weight ratio and make the bike feel more nimble.
c). Jardines are not hard to install as we also first believed. The trick is to assemble the header pipes, which are all marked, into the collector on the floor and then fit the whole system up to the bike. Hold the rear megaphone in approximate place with a tie down or strap until you can start a few header nuts with all of the pipes pushed into their respective holes leaving #2 for last. It will look like it doesn’t fit, but it will and with that knowledge you can go ahead and pry it in. Once in the hole it will bolt up. you can put tape around the frame to keep from scratching it up too badly.
Note: Always use new exhaust gaskets or they will leak.
d). The end result is the most low end torque of any 4-1’s we’ve tried and we have them in stock.
e). You can retain the center stand and change the oil and filter with the pipe in place. Some oil may spill on the collector from the filter, but it will wipe right off.
f). If you want to avoid the decolorization of the headers you can paint them with (1500 degree) paint, back to the megaphone, leaving it chrome as we did on Yellow Jacket. If over time, rock chips scar it up. It’s easy enough to take the system off and repaint it to look new again. We also have the paint in stock.

5. Sport bike mirrors:

a). Upgrade the looks of the cafe fairing, so that it doesn’t look like and after market piece and more like a production bike fairing.
b). They are only $32.95 each and if a small piece of aluminum sheet metal is used to reinforce the windshield and fairing where the mirrors are mounted they are every bit as clear as stock mirrors and you can see traffic behind you clearly. Ask for them, we have them in stock.
c). They have relief holes through the mirrors to reduce drag.

6. Z rated tires:

a). If enough of these speed goodies are added to make your XS1100 into a 1200 etc. and you plan to sustain up around 140 or 150mph some time. We do have Z rated tires available if you want them.
b). Drag racing up to those kinds of speeds will not produce enough heat to warrant the need for such tires, neither will short burst on the highway, but if you were to sustain it in summer heat for any length of time you could risk tire failure from heat separation (a blowout). Keep that in mind when you select tires.

Back To Top

NEW!! HIGH PERFORMANCE FULL FLOATER DISC ROTORS

A. Newly available since we cross drilled stock brake rotors to lighten 1/2 pound each

1. Availability

a) XS1100’s all years and models
b) XJ1100 front is the same as XS, rear different, but still available.

2. Cost

a) $200.00 each

3. Description and advantage.

a) Full floater type, like current sport bikes use.
1. Center carrier is aluminum
2. Outer disc is plated steel and drilled with angled rows of holes
3. Disc is held to center carrier by 1/2 inch spool rivets and spaced with spring wave washers.
4. These allow the disc to center itself in the caliper when braking.

b) Weight saving.
1. Each rotor is 2 pounds lighter than stock.
2. Cross drilled rotors are 1/2 pound lighter than stock.
3. A six pound saving on unsprung weight over the three disc’s.

Back To Top

ANOTHER MERRIAM CYCLE HI-PERFORMANCE VERSION OF THE XS-ELEVEN! This is a one of a kind XS Eleven pictured here with its rider. Terry Heckart. He is one of our main stay employees, Parts/Service Manager.

This is another exciting addition to our line-up of shop owned promotional and experimental XS ELEVENS. We have one more planned for this fall of 2002.

Click on this image to enlarge

Back To Top