alternator maybe

[cywelchjr]

Yep, I did for about 6 months, until one of them quit on me 5 miles from home. An XS11 twin is just slightly better than pushing.

Well, I guess I could get 3 of them and carry a spare in one of the saddlebags (oh the advantages of a touring configuration). I would think if the extra was pre-prepped it would take no more than a few minutes to change it out. Then again, that would eat up a large part of the saving wouldn't it?

[bikerphil]

Lol, I know a lot of members are running them with no problems. I might have just got a bad one. Myself, I no longer trust them. Better order 4 of 'em just to be on the safe side.

[DGXSER]

I know DBeardslee also had the black MikesXS coils for maybe three years?? not sure how long. He spent half the summer chasing an electrical gremlin that wound up being one of those coils going bad.

He bought the Green monsters and has stated it is a new bike with those in it. Made a real difference over the MikesXS black ones.

[1st bike]

okay, so after a few days of thinking and looking, and thinking, I am going to just go with new coils. i called around....$400 bucks (200 a side) for new coils for my bike. that is a little salty. so what i was wondering is where i go (besides ebay, which is my next stop after posting this) to find NEW coils. I am trying to get this bike to where you all have yours and it seems to me that putting something that is just as likely to fail at this point (due only to age and plastic) on a bike i want to make a daily rider isn't the best idea. any suggestions would be great! and I guess i am missing the difference between green and black? and i did catch the wasted spark thing, that totally made sense when i thought about the last time i got the thing to start and run. it was really choppy/poppy and i thoguht it was blowing a little extra oil out of the engine, but i am guessing it was that....

[1st bike]

also i put this post here, because i didn't want advise from people who were just causal viewers of the site, i figured the guys who took the time to become members probably had better advice. i don't know if this thread is supposed to be here or on another page on this site, but i really do appreciate all the feedback and help!!

[DGXSER]

I have heard alot of good things about the coils at MIKESXS.com Part #17-6810. Less than half what you were looking at for the weaker stock coils to!!

I can never quite keep straight how the resistor and the coils play together. On the 81 model they did away with the ballast resistor so I do not have to worry about it.

[1st bike]

Thx DGXSER!!! i am there now, you just saved me like a new set of bars worth of money!

[DGXSER]

I sure as heck hope it saved you more than a set of bars....or you need to find a new source for your bars too!!! I just bought a set that is really close to the CB750s from my local yamadog dealer for just under $30.

[1st bike]

have to extend the cables if i am changing the rise, which i hope to. but hopefully then bars and maybe a new tank!

[xsisting2ride]

Same ol starting problem.....

Hey guys, this post will probably go on forever, but I am having a similiar problem, I will try to explain here....80 XS11G, tour model, almost 90 % perfect, ran battery down trying to start her, replaced with walmart battery($48.00) she started up, but after a few days engine turning over slowed down to clicks, then just clicks....charged up battery, she starts, go for a three hour ride, get home , shut her off, slow slow turning over, also little white "headlight problem" light came on, checked connection going to vetter fairing, good.... replaced light bulbs (h4) three times, still has little light on dash come on, but there is light coming from headlight, it is not out, but appears less then bright, when I put brights on, the brights come on, and little light goes out, put on regular beam, light comes back on, this is with all three bulbs!! next day.....try to start her up, she turns over with choke out, and starts for a moment and shuts off(this is normal) push in choke, try to start her, only clicks......i check the solenoid connections, and fuses... ok, clicks appear loud and strong at solenoid, not like a dying battery type sound, but CLICK CLICK!!(?) I charged the battery the night before, felt strong turning over while choke was out, then immediately went to clicks only.....I will say that a week prior, I drove her to work in am (4:30 am, 40 degrees outside) started right up, and purred all the way, never sounding better, get out of work at 1330 hrs, 75 degrees outside, she turns over slow, and starts turning slower AND SLOWER, and eventually starts clicking, and when I thought about getting somebody to help me jump it, I gave her a "one more time" push on starter button, and she revs to life!! drove her home with a big WHEW!! ran good all the way, next day slow turning over, a few clicks, then she starts, but the headlight went out, so I took the truck instead, so this has been my problem for the last two weeks, now after charging battery, it tried to start for a few seconds, and immediately went to the loud crisp clicks, but no turning over.....I am lost at what to do, in the sense that I don't want to spend the money on the wrong thing, if I can help it, if one of you fantastic mechanics, and XSperts can guide me to the problem, I would surely appreciate it, you see, I got laid off after that last time at work, so my money is tight for frivolous purchases, as my wife would say, so if I said something that can help narrow down the problem, that would be great! Also...IF ANY OF THE XSPERTS LIVE NEAR SACRAMENTO, CA., i REALLY NEED SOMEONE TO LOOK OVER MY CODDLED BABY, AS THE SHOPS AROUND HERE ARE MONEY GOBBLERS, (and I am a terrible mechanic) from what I have found. I have not load tested the battery, but it does not seem to keep a charge, or last long in extra pushes on the starter button. this bike has been great, and normally runs perfect. about 6 months ago, I did put in a used solenoid from a xs850( the friggin HD shop put it in, but that is another long horrible story), and it seemed to be ok, but it seems like she does not turn over fast, with a spirited rev, she has always "lugged along to starting, like an old peterbilt!! I will try to post some pictures here of her, she looks great, and bought her with only 8000 miles on it. If anyone lives around the central ca area, I could try to get her to you, if coming here is an issue.......let me know if I did not give enough information. I did clean and tighten the ground, before the problem light came on, on the dash, it seemed that the headlight would brighten with a turn of the handle. bike is normally cleaned every week, oil is new, brand new irrinium NGK spark plugs, and caps on plugs, also NGK.......the new plugs seemed to make her run even better, until this electrical issue....

[1st bike]

good luck! if anyone can give you some great ideas and tips it is these guys!

[XJOK2PLAY]

xsisting2ride,

You may want to go through the connections in the typical problematic areas as before mentioned... but I'd lay odds you got a bad battery there... and a load test should prove it if it is. Sometimes, buying a new battery off the shelf at WalMart has proven to be troublesome... due to the fact that sometimes they don't follow the initial fill & charge procedures, sometimes they sit on the shelf for extended periods and discharge... etc.

Could be lots of reasons, but the end results the same... bad battery.
It's the first place I'd start. They should exchange it straight across if nothing else under warranty.

If that passes, start reworking connections, especially the grounds that are located on the middle drive bolt, as well as the fuseblock and behind the fuseblock locations.

Checking battery voltage w/ a voltmeter is the best way to tshoot... 12.5 V at rest at the battery, 13.5-14.5 V. at 2000-2500 rpm.
If it doesn't read that, alt or reg/rec could be suspect. Grounds at reg/rec can cause charging issues as well. Check that.

Hope that helps ya find the prob... and welcome to the forum!
Good luck, and sorry... but I live in OK... too far away to help in person!

[DGXSER]

If you suspect the solenoid, take a screwdriver or the like and jump across it. The two large wires mounted on bolts, one from the battery one straight to the starter. That will tell you if you got a problem in that solenoid.

My best guess would be the battery also though.

[xsisting2ride]

thanks men!!