Problem with headlight mount

[XS1100 Newbie]

Ok, i have this 1980 XS1100 MNS. I have been trying to find a headlight stay for it. The front forks, handlebars, probably the fork ears were replaced. I don't know where the problem is, but i have got two stays for it, and both are the same, and wrong. I made a drawing with measurements, and took a couple pics of it. What i would like to find out from someone that has a 1980 special is the measurements, and maybe a pic or two of the mounting of the headlight stay. I have a aluminum bar holding the light steady right now.

[psycoreefer]

Those ears look just like the ones on my 79 special, except black. And the stay looks Identical as well. If I had to guess I'd say its your headlight bucket that is "wrong". I'll snap some pics of mine when I get home if it will help you.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Thanks. you could be right about the headlight bucket. Maybe they got it off a 750 or 850 special. Who knows.

[Ken Talbot]

Gotta say this is the first time I've seen this technique! I've seen some pretty sophisticated CAD renderings, some pretty good paintshop drawings with dimensions, some slightly cruder paintshop drawings, some photos with arrows and dimensions added with Photoshop, etc, etc. I love the ingenuity of this method!!

[XS1100 Newbie]

Sometimes, the more simple it is, the better. Besides trying to make a drawing on the puter is something that drives me crazy.

[psycoreefer]

late is better then never right?

So here's my bucket, I have to believe it is stock, given the rust and yamaha stamped on it.





If yours doesn't have that cool hanging down bracket thing on the bucket then you've go no place to attach that stay.

[jmnjrpa]

Psyco's right

Wrong bucket for that bike.

[XS1100 Newbie]

So what is the right bucket? You have a pic of yours?

[psycoreefer]

This is what I would do,
1. Adjust the headlight where the beam is correct - I assume it won't stay there because you wouldn't have posted otherwise.
2. Make a small mark between the bucket and the mount ears so you can find that position again.
3. Remove the headlight from the bucket and tighten up the nuts on the inside that hold the bucket and turnsignals until the bucket is snug, make sure your mark is lined up, then turn a little more so the bucket doesn't move easily.
4. Put the headlight back in
5. Ride while you look for the correct bucket, or not if you don't care that your bucket is not stock.

You should be able to tighten the mount bolts up enough to hold the bucket, if you can't you could fab up some sort of support with materials from the hardware store.

[jmnjrpa]

This is from a LH

Should be the same as yours.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Mine does look like yours, but i notice you don't have a headlight stay on yours either. I must have the right bucket, but the headlight stay is not going to work.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Ok, i have noticed something on the front of my bike. I think the PO in changing out the forks, and other pieces, swapped some parts that were not from a special. I noticed that the tin piece that the emblem fits on has been cut to fit around the mounting bolts for the lower triple tree. The tin i just got, looks like it should cover those mounting bolts. Can somebody confirm that? The other thing is, if he had to cut that, then is it possible that he used the lower mount off of something other than a special? The headlight bucket does have a fairly large bubble coming out the back, instead of being more round. I wonder if the combination of parts is what is screwing up my headlight stay mounting. Even if i use the tin i just got with the badge on it, the stay still won't reach.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Finaly got it figured out. Had it side by side to a special today, and measured, and looked at this problem. The PO had changed the upper, and lower triple trees, and the forks, and used the original headlight bucket. He had to cut down the ears for the headlight so they would fit the triple trees he used. I don't know what they came off of for sure, but the set the front end back a little (same angle), and offset the mounting for the headlight stay enough so it won't mount. Looks like i will be hunting for an upper, and lower tripletree. fork ears, and handlebars for this 1980 MNS. It is nothing pressing, but i would like to get them.

[fredintoon]

- - - I have a aluminum bar holding the light steady right now. - - -

Hi Newbie,
if you mix'n'match Standard 'trees & Special forks, ears, etc. you will get that problem.
My headlight bolted up to the stock stay but only when it pointed down at ~30º. I cut my stay and welded an extension into it to make it work.
If your piece of aluminum bar works OK, paint it black?
PS, just read your last post, shortening the fork ear tubes is what you have to do to fit Special ears onto Standard 'trees.
I did the Special forks + Standard 'trees mix on purpose to quicken the steering for sidecar work.
If that's what the PO did to yours, what's it like to ride solo that way?

[XS1100 Newbie]

I didn't know the difference till the other day when i rode Larry's XS1100 MNS. Mine does have quicker steering, but i definately like the feel of the stock MNS better. I have got use to the feel of mine over the last year, so it doesn't bother me. After riding Larry's, i feel like mine has a way to go to be a nice bike.