New Member

[thebottle]

Hello, I just bought my third bike yesterday - 1980 XS1100 and I wanted to check out this forum and see what others have done with their bikes. I plan on having this bike for a long time and want to make it look and ride really really nice.

Unfortunately I don't know much about bike modifications so I am reading the other posts and learning as much as I can about it. Any tips are greatly appreciated, .

Here is the bike... I picked it up yesterday for $900. It runs great.

[latexeses]

Greetings and welcome,

Check out "Bike Photos" in the members lounge. That thread is on page 2 if you are interested.

Great looking bike. Someone has cared for it pretty well.

The search button will become a good friend if you want information about mods.

I won't speak for anyone else here but I would say your bike looks pretty good the way it sits!

Rodger

[jeffreygolfer]

Perfect fall color

Welcome! I just joined today after buying back my last MC love, 80 1100 special. I say bought back because I sold my last one (79 1100 special) back in 87 when my daughter was born. My "new" one is in great shape like yours and has just over 10,000 miles on it! My last one had over 63,000 miles on it
when I sold it, but it still ran and looked like new. Like you I plan to not part with this bike untill I'm too old to hold her up! I'll get some pics out on my next post

[Wildkat]

Welcome aboard!

(to both of you)

thebottle - if you care to... you can put your location in your profile and there are probably several members in your area you can hook up with for info or XSive rides.

and to both new members - putting your bike model in your signature is very helpful to those who may assist you in the future.. or just to satisfy the curiosity of those of us who want to know what you have.

At any rate... welcome aboard and enjoy!

[CatatonicBug]

Wow! Two new members in the same thread! Welcome aboard guys!

Bottle - for future reference it might help when referring to your bike model that you be sure people know it's a Special. An XS1100SH to be exact. There are a few slight differences between the years/models that make a difference when diagnosing problems.

Depending on where you are located, you either have a few weeks, a few months, or an unlimited riding season ahead of you this year, so it's good tyo know you won't have to spend that time getting your bikes running (like many of us had to do when we bought them).

One modification I would look at first is replacing the fuse block. There is a very nice replacement fuse block available in the "parts for sale" section of the forum for only $9 shipped, and is the easiest, cheapest upgrade you could ever do to these bikes. It really helps ward off electrical gremlins!

If you need a manual, you can download one from the link in my signature.

[thebottle]

Bottle - for future reference it might help when referring to your bike model that you be sure people know it's a Special. An XS1100SH to be exact. There are a few slight differences between the years/models that make a difference when diagnosing problems.

Thanks for the information, I didn't know there was a difference.

And I'm in Wisconsin so I have a couple months worth of riding yet. I plan on getting it painted in the winter so it looks pretty when I start riding again in the spring.

There are a few things that need to be done to it. The handle bars are bent a little and I need to either straighten them or get a different set from the yard. Something needs to be adjusted in the shifter too. It won't downshift twice in a row, but if you put your foot under it a little then it will shift down another gear. Shifts up fine though. Also the blinkers don't work, they just stay on solid, but the hazards work. I think it is probably the flasher. Other than that I just want to add a few accessories like highway pegs and small stuff like that.

[CatatonicBug]

There are a few things that need to be done to it. The handle bars are bent a little and I need to either straighten them or get a different set from the yard. Something needs to be adjusted in the shifter too. It won't downshift twice in a row, but if you put your foot under it a little then it will shift down another gear. Shifts up fine though. Also the blinkers don't work, they just stay on solid, but the hazards work. I think it is probably the flasher. Other than that I just want to add a few accessories like highway pegs and small stuff like that.

Handlebars are easy to replace. Lots of options out there too. Member andreashweiss is an in-house used parts supplier, and I'm sure he'd be able to set you up with some for cheap. Either that or you can find lots of options online too. You just need to be careful if you want to change the length of them, you may need to change brake/clutch/accel. lines.

Take a look at the shift lever return spring. That is probably the issue with your shifting problem. They have been known to break/wear out after 30 years.

The flasher will stay on for several reasons. Usually it is because not enough voltage is being drawn through it to make it flash (emergency flasher is a different relay altogether). It's a thermal flasher that costs a FORTUNE to replace, so if you can determine that it's something else first, it will save some serious money. The bulbs have to be the standard 27w ones all the way around, and none of them can be blown. Not flashing is a safety feature that tells you your bulb is blown while riding. You might want to double check all the electrical connections (including the grounds) at all of the turn signals. If they are not connected/shorting somewhere, that will also cause a lack of flashing.

Of course, you always have the option of switching to LED bulbs, using an electronic, 2-prong flasher, and losing the auto-cancelling feature.

There is an electrical wiring diagram in the back of the manual for reference when playing with the wires.

[cywelchjr]

Wow! Two new members in the same thread! Welcome aboard guys!

Bottle - for future reference it might help when referring to your bike model that you be sure people know it's a Special. An XS1100SH to be exact. There are a few slight differences between the years/models that make a difference when diagnosing problems.

An 80 would be an SG, the SH would be an 81. Just as my 80 standard is a G. (I like that, G rated for family fun)

[cywelchjr]

The flasher will stay on for several reasons. Usually it is because not enough voltage is being drawn through it to make it flash (emergency flasher is a different relay altogether). It's a thermal flasher that costs a FORTUNE to replace, so if you can determine that it's something else first, it will save some serious money. The bulbs have to be the standard 27w ones all the way around, and none of them can be blown. Not flashing is a safety feature that tells you your bulb is blown while riding. You might want to double check all the electrical connections (including the grounds) at all of the turn signals. If they are not connected/shorting somewhere, that will also cause a lack of flashing.

Of course, you always have the option of switching to LED bulbs, using an electronic, 2-prong flasher, and losing the auto-cancelling feature.

You can also just change to the electronic flasher like I did without changing the bulbs, hopefully this winter I'll figure out a hack to get the auto cancel to work with a two prong flasher, I think I've got some ideas but I refuse to waste good riding weather on experimentation.

[CatatonicBug]

An 80 would be an SG, the SH would be an 81. Just as my 80 standard is a G. (I like that, G rated for family fun)

Now I feel dumb... I even thought about that first, to be sure I as typing the right thing. I knew the right thing, but I guess the message didn't get from my brain to my fingers!

[motoman]

thebottle, a little fine tuning, hang a fork brace on that nice looking ride, and RIDE.

[thebottle]

It's a thermal flasher that costs a FORTUNE to replace, so if you can determine that it's something else first, it will save some serious money.

Thanks for all the information, everyone's input has been extremely helpful. You guys really know your bikes, . Glad to be here. I was wondering about the thermal flasher... Can't you just get an automotive thermal flasher and hook it up to it? I had a 83 Goldwing when I called the dealer they wanted a crazy price ($55) like you said, but I just bought a regular automotive flasher for $5 and it worked fine. No problems at all and I put a lot of miles on that bike. I will probably check the grounds first and then just give that a try because what's $5, unless you know that it doesn't work for some reason on these bikes.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bottle and Jeffrey,

Welcome to you both!

Now bottle, if you slow down, re-read Bug's post #7, you'll see near the end that he tells you that you need a 2 PRONG flasher, either thermal IF you are sure you have the correct bulbs....27 watt turn signals so that they will draw the proper amount of current to heat up the flasher to flash.....
Or...you can put on an electronic type, either with regular bulbs, or LEDs if you like, BUT YOU NEED TO USE A 2 PRONG Flasher...even though the plug is 3 prongs. Auto flasher's won't work with the self cancelling control unit, the only style that will work are the 2 prong, and you will have to try it 1 of 2 ways to find out which way will make it work!

I'm not yelling , just trying to be emphatic about the info that is told to you is from YEARS of experience with these machines from the members here. Most things like alternate parts have been tried, and for the most part we know what usually will work and what won't. Every now and then, we get a nice surprise....see the XS750 Final Drive Mod for one example!

So...please take some time, read thru the TECH TIPS on the repairs, mods, maintanence of these machines BEFORE you attempt even simple things....
like the cam chain tensioner setting....or you can severely damage your engine and end up with a boat anchor!

[thebottle]

Most things like alternate parts have been tried, and for the most part we know what usually will work and what won't.

Seems to suggest that I shouldn't have bothered asking my question.

I feel like you're preaching to me and I don't care for it. Not to be an ass, but I am going to call it how I see it. I might not know a lot about these bikes yet, but I know enough about respect.

[Larrym]

Fall Colors...

Nice to know that your bikes in running/usable condition. Enjoy the rides in the fall season as the leaves change.

One of the true advantages of this site is that if you're taking on a task the odds are that most of us have either done it or have yet to do it. If you're looking for direction from those who have done it successfully before then you can either read their posts or even get their direct input. Those that have failed also posted what they did and the end result.

I never assume that anyone on this end is telling me what to do. I think of it more like each person is providing an option or a corrective action that I can try. In the end I choose what action to take and more often than not that action is very similar to what the others here have done before.

Re-inventing the wheel is not one of my strong points.