Headlights and Oil

[drerock]

Two quick, trivial questions.

I have a 79 XS1100 Standard

1) How can I turn the headlight off?

2) What are proper conditions for checking the oil level?

(I only ask this because I suspect I need to add oil, but when checking it seems to be fine. This XS11 Heaven book I have suggests that almost all of the bikes will need oil added every 500 miles or so, and I've ridden about 1000 miles without adding any)

Thanks

[DiverRay]

You CANNOT turn off the headlight. Once the bike starts, the headlight is on.
To check the oil, put bike on the center stand, bend down and look into the sight glass. The oil level should be between the two lines cast into the cover. If you are not sure, and don't have the center stand, you can drain the oil, and then fill with 3.5 U.S. quarts of oil.
Welcome to the site, BTW

[mason79]

you can't turn off the headlight while running

center stand on a level and look square at the oil site glass located near the right riders foot peg, it on the clutch cover

get and manual and do on the maintenance on that manual

oh yeah have fun!!

welcome !!

[drerock]

If the headlight cannot turn off, is there a way to disconnect it?

Should the oil be checked when cold, or after running?

Thank you for the warm welcome

[drerock]

I ask about the headlight only because I am experiencing problems with the electrical charging system, and while testing I don't want the light to drain the battery

[DiverRay]

You can take the bulb assembly out, disconnect the plug, and put it back in. For electrical testing, refer to the MAIN page at xs11.com, and check the "Tech Tips". This will give you all the information you may need on anything XS11.
The oil can be checked warm or cold, it does NOT move that much. If the bike is driven in a "normal" manner, you should get over 1,000 miles without using oil. Just remember, you should CHANGE the oil every 2,500 to 3,000 miles.

[Ken Talbot]

Originally posted by DiverRay
If the bike is driven in a "normal" manner, you should get over 1,000 miles without using oil.

I think I would have phrased it more like this "If the bike is driven in a normal manner, you should not have to top up the oil for at least 1,000 miles between changes. If the engine is tight, and you're driving nice steady speeds, you may even be able to get to the next oil change without any top-ups."

YMMV.

[fredintoon]

Hi drerock & welcome,
the headlight is automatic, there is no switch, it's a mandated safety feature.
People who have run wires to a handlebar switch to turn the headlight off for daylight running have been killed by left turning drivers who beat the vehicular manslaughter charge because of that.
Unless your bike leaves clouds of blue smoke behind it &/or leaves oil drips when it's parked it ain't gonna get dangerously low on oil in 1,000 miles. Peer in the little window after the bike has been parked for a short while and is upright. And if you think that oil level window is hard to see, pity the poor sidecar rider. I have to carry a little mirror on a telescoping handle to see mine.