Noobie with big plans and many questions

[lwburnham]

Hello all,

I've posted on here once or twice I think, so that still makes me a noob. I've got a '79 XS1100 that I've got really BIG plans for. I actually have the ca$h saved up to get things started but I have some questions about the tear down.

I realize the obvious stuff that I'm gonna scrap, but my main questions is about the electrical. I've tried to search older post to find the answer...and maybe I'm missing it. What can I scrap and what are the absolute things that I wanna keep that will have me from a huge headache later?

What all is involved with the ignition that need to be kept? I plan on running a switched headlight and a tail/brake light and thats it. I wanna scrap everything I can, but I notice under the seat is a cdi box and there is a fuse panel under one of the side covers.

Feel free to "simplify" things as I won't be offended.....I am fully aware of my "novice" status!

I want also plan to hardtail the bike...but I'll save that for a future post.

Thanks
Lanny

[mro]

Hi Lanny

This can give you a start with the wiring

http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/in...p?topic=5973.0

There are a few who have gone the route you are taking, plus on the other site one guy has been working to make an XS soft tail

Good luck,

mro

[fredintoon]

Hi Lanny,
you can get rid of most of those "mystery modules" by using MRO's simplified diagram. Even with having to keep the stock iggy wiring the XS11 great fat ugly wiring loom should be significantly thinned thereby. My old BSA only needs 7 wires to run or 10 if you want signals, fer Chissake!
BTW, can you ride ticketless with no signals where you live?
If you check the list you will find my opinion on hardtailing but if you do go that way, my rear shocks are kinda tired, are yours OK and available?

[rgoot01]

State requirements

Like Fred says oyu need to see whats legal in your state first. Here in CO you need a headlight,tail/brake, and one mirror. Everything else is optional.
Check the AMA link below, click on your state and it will show all current MC requirements.

http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

[Guy_b_g]

There sure are a lot of people going the hardtail route these days...is it a fad?

[DGXSER]

IMO, the hardtails are just an after fact of all these bike builder shows where all they make are hard tails. I'm like Fred, they use to do alot of things when I was younger and quit alot of it, cause they sucked!!

[lwburnham]

Like Fred says oyu need to see whats legal in your state first. Here in CO you need a headlight,tail/brake, and one mirror. Everything else is optional.
Check the AMA link below, click on your state and it will show all current MC requirements.

http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

Thanks for the link. If I read everything right, IN is the same way......headlight, tail/brake and one mirror.



As far as the hardtail "fad" goes, I don't really know much about it. What I do know is that the bike I have is missing its OEM seat and side covers...the first two items ditched when hardtailing this bike.....plus I've never ridden one. Ya know, its just something I've gotta check off the list.

Lanny

[crazy steve]

Like Fred says you need to see whats legal in your state first. Here in CO you need a headlight,tail/brake, and one mirror. Everything else is optional.
Check the AMA link below, click on your state and it will show all current MC requirements.

http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

Don't believe the AMA site for legally-required equipment needed; check with your state DMV. While the AMA site may be close (being most useful for riding rules), I know for a fact that it doesn't list all requirements for all states. If you're chopping your bike, this is something you need to check to avoid a ticket if you run into the wrong LEO or if you have to be 'inspected'. Just a heads up...

'78E original owner

[draketrumpet]

Information Maintained by the Office of Code Revision Indiana Legislative Services Agency
IC 9-19-7
Chapter 7. Motorcycle Equipment

IC 9-19-7-1
Minors; protective headgear and face shields
Sec. 1. An individual less than eighteen (18) years of age who is operating or riding on a motorcycle on the streets or highways shall do the following:
(1) Wear protective headgear meeting the minimum standards set by the bureau.
(2) Wear protective glasses, goggles, or transparent face shields.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

IC 9-19-7-2
Handlebars; brakes; footrests; lamps and reflectors
Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a motorcycle operated on the streets or highways by a resident of Indiana must meet the following requirements:
(1) Be equipped with handlebars that rise not more than fifteen (15) inches above the level of the driver's seat or saddle, when occupied.
(2) Be equipped with brakes in good working order on both front and rear wheels.
(3) Be equipped with footrests or pegs for both operator and passenger.
(4) Be equipped with lamps and reflectors meeting the standards of the United States Department of Transportation.
(b) A motorcycle manufactured before January 1, 1956, is not required to be equipped with lamps and other illuminating devices under subsection (a) if the motorcycle is not operated at the times when lighted head lamps and other illuminating devices are required under IC 9-21-7-2.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.1-1992, SEC.49; P.L.63-1994, SEC.1.

IC 9-19-7-2.5
Rear view mirrors; speedometers; turn signals
Sec. 2.5. A motorcycle manufactured before January 1, 1956, is not required to be equipped with the following devices:
(1) A rear view mirror.
(2) A speedometer.
(3) Mechanical or electric turn signals.
As added by P.L.63-1994, SEC.5.

IC 9-19-7-3
Classification of violations
Sec. 3. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

That they say not required for pre 1956 bikes would seem to indicate to me that they are required for 1956 or later bikes. I did some poking around in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 Section 571.108, and it turns out you are required to have turn signals. This would be the requirements of DOT that IN law refers to. So, if it were me, I'd put some on.

[cywelchjr]

Don't believe the AMA site for legally-required equipment needed; check with your state DMV. While the AMA site may be close (being most useful for riding rules), I know for a fact that it doesn't list all requirements for all states. If you're chopping your bike, this is something you need to check to avoid a ticket if you run into the wrong LEO or if you have to be 'inspected'. Just a heads up...

'78E original owner

Yep, they are in the general ballpark, but I know they don't show everything. For starters they don't show that Ca requires brakes on both front and rear wheels. They also are way outdated on the stuff, as Ca has not had inspection (random or otherwise) for decades, and if you don't have insurance is no longer an after the fact thing, they literally cancel the reg if your insurance lapses, and it can be painful to get that fixed, even if it's the insurance co's error.

[crazy steve]

Yep, they are in the general ballpark, but I know they don't show everything...

In some cases they're not even close. Here (Washington state), you also have to reference the automotive codes to find everything. Turn signals on bikes have been federally mandated since '73 when the DOT lighting regs took effect, and one item included in those that most builders miss is the rear 'reflector'. On the XS, this is built-in to the stock lens but if you go with an aftermarket taillight, most don't have this; I know a guy that got ticketed for no reflector. Another interesting item here is the requirement that rear fenders (fronts not mentioned) 'must extend below the centerline of the rear axle'. This one is unenforceable, as very few new bikes meet this standard, including the BMWs the state patrol uses.

I see lots of bikes without 'proper' equipment on them, and by and large the cops ignore them. But PO the wrong LEO and you might find yourself in possession of a quite lengthy citation...

'78E original owner

[lwburnham]

I apprectiate all the comments.

I still have a question. The code states:

IC 9-19-7-2
Handlebars; brakes; footrests; lamps and reflectors
Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a motorcycle operated on the streets or highways by a resident of Indiana must meet the following requirements:
(1) Be equipped with handlebars that rise not more than fifteen (15) inches above the level of the driver's seat or saddle, when occupied.
(2) Be equipped with brakes in good working order on both front and rear wheels.
(3) Be equipped with footrests or pegs for both operator and passenger.
(4) Be equipped with lamps and reflectors meeting the standards of the United States Department of Transportation.
(b) A motorcycle manufactured before January 1, 1956, is not required to be equipped with lamps and other illuminating devices under subsection (a) if the motorcycle is not operated at the times when lighted head lamps and other illuminating devices are required under IC 9-21-7-2.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.1-1992, SEC.49; P.L.63-1994, SEC.1.

You can buy a stock bike off the showroom floor here in Indiana with bars more than 15 inches above the seat. I actually asked a salesman about this and he stated that if they are selling it....it HAS to be legal. That made sense to me.

Can anyone explain how this is?

Also, I don't know how the police are in your respective areas.....but here bikes are generally left alone for the most part. You'll see a bike pulled over for excessive speed if anything. I know it's a chance, but I think that if I was to use the proper hand and arm signal when turning on a bike with no signals that I'd be alright. But thats just my two sense worth

Lanny

[crazy steve]

....You can buy a stock bike off the showroom floor here in Indiana with bars more than 15 inches above the seat. I actually asked a salesman about this and he stated that if they are selling it....it HAS to be legal. That made sense to me.

Can anyone explain how this is?

That salesman is talking out his a**....

There's been plenty of cases where both major and minor manufacturers have sold vehicles that didn't meet an individual states regulations. Just because you can buy it doesn't make it 'legal'. But if it's a factory built bike, I'm sure a phone call to the manufacturer would get you legal assistance if there's a problem with a state reg. But beware the dealers; they'll sometimes put on non-stock parts to make the bike more attractive to buyers, and I wouldn't count on help from them. Selling an 'altered' machine that doesn't meet local laws will get them in trouble with both the state people and the manufacturer, so they'll claim ignorance.

'78E original owner

[lwburnham]

This guy was fully aware of the fact that it was illegal to sell a bike that wasn't up to reg......so I guess maybe I should call the manufacturer to figure out the facts.

Thanks for the input!

Lanny

[lakecountrydave]

I hope when you say "scrapped" you mean that you gently set them aside for me Many parts for these bikes are no longer being made, and I need a 1979 special side covers. I just bought a stock seat.