HELP!! starter button/throttle 1979 XS1100 Repair

[e.m.vans]

I bought a 1979 XS1100 at a local auction... once I got it home, I realized the starter button was missing! Two wires were sticking out of the opening... a green clipped wire and a black wire with a screw hook on it. I am assuming the owner crossed the two wires to start it, but of course there wasn't a battery in the bike and no kick start. So.... I bought a new one on ebay (or so I thought) and the new one looked the same but when I got it, it had three wires coming out of the throttle switch to the black plastic connection. But the 1979 I was replacing had FOUR wires coming out of the throttle to the WHITE plastic electrical connection. I assumed the one I was sent was a wrong year or make and cut off the button and replaced it in my bike. But now I wonder WHERE DOES THE BLACK EYE HOOK WIRE HOOK UP TO??? I hooked it up to the screw that holds in the button and I assume its a ground wire to prevent shock, but what if it fries the starter button? I haven't hooked up the battery yet for fear of trying to find out if I have done it right. I have contacted two local mechanics and gotten the "... you know I don't know....". So PLEASE help if someone has knowledge if I have done it wrong... the summer is wasting and living in Indiana I only have a few months to ride!!! Thanks.

[randy]

All you need to do is ground the starter button wire to fire the starter. Seems to me the P.O. rigged up the starter button wire AND a ground wire (the black one) to start the bike. Ditch the black one, the switch housing provides the ground through the handlebars.

[prometheus578]

kick starter

4:00 AM is not a good time for me to try to figure electrical probs, but I may be of assistance regarding the kick starter lever. On the right side of the bike, to the rear of the engine, under the airbox, there should be a large wingnut. This holds the kickstart lever in it's storage spot. You may have one and not know it.

[YamaRule]

I went to "The Source" (Radio shack) and bought a 2 wire temporary on button, they have them small enough to fit in the existing hole and I think I paid around $5 for 2 of them. Hope this helps

[cywelchjr]

That wire with the eye on the end is just a ground. It won't hurt anything, and the button just grounds it's wire to make the bike start.