Headlight

[Jamie Lowe]

Hey everyone. Being that I'm new to owning an XS110 Eleven Special,I'm still learning new things about it. I was wondering why the headlight only comes on after the bike is started and not just when the key is turned to the on position. Is this the way this bjke works or do I have a wiring problem?

[clcorbin]

That's the way it should work. Basically, when the alternator is spinning fast enough to produce voltage, it closes a relay that turns on the headlight.

[Jamie Lowe]

Thanks for the response.I thought for a moment that I had a problem

[Rev.Rick]

Jamie, don't feel too bad. I put an HID conversion kit in mine when I first got it and couldn't get it to light up. I knew the head light that was in it before worked so I put it back in and guess what, thats right it wouldn't come on either. I had the carbs off the bike soaking at the time so I couldn't crank it. I spent two frustrating hours tracing wires and testing connections. Finally I got on here whining and they were kind enough to tell me that the bike had to be running before the headlight would come on. At least you asked before you tore the wiring harness apart

[fredintoon]

But wait! There's more!

Hey everyone. Being that I'm new to owning an XS110 Eleven Special, I'm still learning new things about it. I was wondering why the headlight only comes on after the bike is started and not just when the key is turned to the on position. Is this the way this bike works or do I have a wiring problem?

Hi Jamie,
as posted, the headlight comes on when the alternator starts charging. But don't worry about being suddenly left in the dark if the alternator stops charging. Once the relay turns the headlight on it will stay on until the key is turned off. In a related feature, if one headlight filament fails the system automatically switches to the other and the white warning light in the console lights up.
Note that this system ain't perfect. If the high beam blows it switches to the low beam OK. If the low beam blows it switches to the high beam at a reduced Voltage which means there's just enough light for others to see you coming but nowhere near enough light for you to see where you are going. This is alleged to be a safety feature.

[Jamie Lowe]

head light

Thanks Fred.I'm learning something new every day about this bike