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  • Tail light and tire questions....

    I bought an aftermarket tail/brake light but it has only a black and red wire with a dual filament bulb. how can I get the brake light to work with this set-up?

    What are the biggist balloon/vintage tires I can fit on the stock 17 and 19 inch rims?

    I am going for this look: http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/monkee13.html

    Thanks
    1979 XS1100 Standard
    Putting it together........

  • #2
    I would guess that the frame of the light is the ground? Otherwise it's not actually setup for a dual filament bulb. Take the bulb out and there should be two contacts in the bottom if it's made for dual filament, otherwise you might want to take it back.
    Cy

    1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
    Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
    Vetter Windjammer IV
    Vetter hard bags & Trunk
    OEM Luggage Rack
    Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
    Spade Fuse Box
    Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
    750 FD Mod
    TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
    XJ1100 Front Footpegs
    XJ1100 Shocks

    I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

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    • #3
      I'll let he sparky types guide you on the wiring issue.

      As to the tire, the biggest tires I know of anyone ever fitting on the XS11 with the stock swingarm and front fender in place are 140/90/17 rear and 110/90/19 in the front. For the 140 I believe it is only a certain brand with black wall only as the raised white letters will rub.
      Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

      When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

      81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
      80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


      Previously owned
      93 GSX600F
      80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
      81 XS1100 Special
      81 CB750 C
      80 CB750 C
      78 XS750

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      • #4
        I agree w/ Cy... if there's 2 contacts in the bottom of the socket, then it must use a frame ground through metallic section of the fixture. If you see only one contact... take it back.
        '82 XJ1100J Maxim (has been sold.)

        '79 F "Time Machine"... oh yeah, Baby.... (Sold back to Maximan)

        2011 Kaw Concours 14 ABS

        In the warden's words from Cool Hand Luke;
        "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

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        • #5
          Bulb does have 2 contacts. Which bike wires need to go to which light wires?
          1979 XS1100 Standard
          Putting it together........

          Comment


          • #6
            Just figured it out. The housing does act as ground. Thanks

            Now I just need to find some fat tires!
            1979 XS1100 Standard
            Putting it together........

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Giggity View Post
              What are the biggist balloon/vintage tires I can fit on the stock 17 and 19 inch rims?

              I am going for this look: http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/monkee13.html

              Thanks
              The biggest rear tire you can get under one of these would be 5.5" wide, and that's assuming no clearance to the swingarm. The Dunlop Elite 3 in a 140/16 is 5.43" wide and is the biggest that will fit without mods to the swingarm.

              The tires the guy is using in the link are 'enduro'-type tires (dirt tires modified enough so they're not totally useless on pavement) and have at least three problems for use on a XS11; one, they won't last very long, and two, traction on pavement will be poor enough that they may be outright dangerous. The third problem is he's using a rear tire on the front, and as rears are not designed to turn corners, more handlng problems will probably turn up.

              You better check the load rating if you go with these too; these are designed for much lighter dirt bikes and may not be up the weight of an XS.

              '78E original owner
              Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

              '78E original owner - resto project
              '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
              '82 XJ rebuild project
              '80SG restified, red SOLD
              '79F parts...
              '81H more parts...

              Other current bikes:
              '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
              '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
              '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
              Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
              Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

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              • #8
                By golly.. never thought I'd say this.. but I agree with Steve.. lol.


                Tod
                Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

                You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!

                Current bikes:
                '06 Suzuki DR650
                *'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
                '82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
                '82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
                '82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
                '82 XJ1100 Parts bike
                '81 XS1100 Special
                '81 YZ250
                '80 XS850 Special
                '80 XR100
                *Crashed/Totalled, still own

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                • #9
                  I may have to can the tire idea. Seems impossible to find matching vintage looking tires in 19 and 17 size.
                  1979 XS1100 Standard
                  Putting it together........

                  Comment

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