a couple newbie questions....

[thefreeauction]

Hey everyone,


Great site and have a couple of questions and issues...


I know mine is a "special", but I see a model E, F, and SF. What are the differences between these? Is the "SF" the special? Mine doesn't say SF or anything on the title, it just says "XS1100".

Issue #1
When I turn on my blinkers, they go on, but don't blink (both sides do this). But when I turn my flashers (hazard lights) on they all blink just fine. Is this the flasher relay going bad? Or am I missing something here?

Minor issue #2
I took off the fairing and now I realize I need a headlight!! (and I guess blinkers too) Anyone have any used ones, is it worth it or should I just buy a new headlight?

Even more minor issue #3
Another question is where do you guys usually keep your registration and/or insurance papers on this thing? I can't seem to find a good place to put em!


Anyway, just learning about these bikes, I'm gonna go back and do some searches now


Dan

[foreda]

Questions

E = 1978 Standard
F= 1979 Standard
SF = 1979 Special
Have a look at the pics under my signature, you will see one of each.

[DGXSER]

I know mine is a "special", but I see a model E, F, and SF. What are the differences between these? Is the "SF" the special? Mine doesn't say SF or anything on the title, it just says "XS1100".

The letter like E,F,G and H indicate the year of the bike. 78 = E, 79 = F, 80 = G, and 81 = H. The Standard models have just that letter, the Special models have the S, and the Midnight Specials have an L. So an SF is a 79 special model. And an LG is an 80 Midnight Special.

Issue #1
When I turn on my blinkers, they go on, but don't blink (both sides do this). But when I turn my flashers (hazard lights) on they all blink just fine. Is this the flasher relay going bad? Or am I missing something here?

That does sound like your flasher unit may be bad. IIRC, the hazard flasher is the same as the standard flasher, so try switching them out.

Minor issue #2
I took off the fairing and now I realize I need a headlight!! (and I guess blinkers too) Anyone have any used ones, is it worth it or should I just buy a new headlight?

There are used ones around. Ebay is a good source for parts. The XS650 also uses the same headlight bucket IIRC, not sure about the 750/850.

Even more minor issue #3
Another question is where do you guys usually keep your registration and/or insurance papers on this thing? I can't seem to find a good place to put em!

At home, never been asked to show them on a bike before.

[cywelchjr]

Andreas Weis (sp) should have the parts you need. I would suggest saving the fairing to use at the beginning and ending of the riding year to extend said riding year.

As for where to keep the paperwork, I carry it all in my wallet, since nobody but me is putting their butt on my bike and riding it, it's not a problem, if I feel the need, I'll hand them the paperwork to stick in a pocket.

On the other hand, you can take the left side cover off (careful, it takes the key to remove it, the lock is just in front of the bottom of it) and there is a holder for the documents there, you should put them in a small ziploc baggy though to keep them dry. Personally though except for the keeping them in my wallet, that's one of the things I LIKE the fairing for (but then I like mine as a full dresser), but each person has their own taste.

[cywelchjr]

That does sound like your flasher unit may be bad. IIRC, the hazard flasher is the same as the standard flasher, so try switching them out.

Well, they are not the same, unless the turn signal one has already been switched out for a two prong, as the 4 way is a 2 prong and the turn is 3. IIRC unless it's been switched out it won't work anyways, because it's loaded for 4 bulbs and 2 won't trigger it (but I could be wrong, because both mine are aftermarket 2 prong heavy duty ones, but the one for the 4 ways is only a 2 prong connector).

[b.walker5]

Hi Dan,

Your serial number, found on the steering head and motor case, will tell you the model you have. Yours will, or should, begin with 3J6 indicating a 1980 SG. The motor and frame numbers should match but dont worry if they dont. It just means that it's had a motor change at some point in its life. If your serial prefix is something other than 3J6 then check here for model info. http://www.xs11.com/faqs/153-serial-...ry-colors.html

Not sure about the blinker issue, but one question springs to mind. Is your engine running when you try this?

Look in the parts section of this site for a listing by Andreas Weiss for your headlight parts, failing that Ebay is the place to go, and Georgefix seems to be the seller of choice. I've used him for a few bits and he's reliable and priced right.

Insurance and Rego papers; cant help you with that one. We dont have to carry them here, but there is a 'toolbox' of sorts behind the left sidecover, beside the battery. Careful removing the sidecover though, it has a key lock that is hard to see and many an owner have snapped the lock tab off trying to pry the cover off, before realising that it's locked on.

[CatatonicBug]

The flasher relay for the signals is different from the relay for the 4-ways. It's located on the fuse block mounting panel. Be aware that the flashers won't flash if there is not sufficient voltage to actuate the thermal relay. If the bike is not running, or if the charging system is not charging well, that can affect the flashers. Many folks have issues with the flashers not flashing when stopped at an intersection at idle, because the RPMs are not high enough to provide the voltage from the alternator.

The left side cover has a flap inside it that is designed to hold the paperwork. That's one reason why it locks to the bike, along with the protection it gives the toolbox and battery.

[b.walker5]

Damn you guys are quick. There were no other posts when I started my reply and by the time I posted there were six

[cywelchjr]

The flasher relay for the signals is different from the relay for the 4-ways. It's located on the fuse block mounting panel. Be aware that the flashers won't flash if there is not sufficient voltage to actuate the thermal relay. If the bike is not running, or if the charging system is not charging well, that can affect the flashers. Many folks have issues with the flashers not flashing when stopped at an intersection at idle, because the RPMs are not high enough to provide the voltage from the alternator.

The left side cover has a flap inside it that is designed to hold the paperwork. That's one reason why it locks to the bike, along with the protection it gives the toolbox and battery.

And many times the reason the turns don't flash at idle is because they have automotive bulbs in the lights, which are a few watts less than the MC ones, and that doesn't provide enough current at idle or with the engine not running to flash. The easiest fix is an electronic flasher, all you do is give up the auto cancel, which IMHO isn't worth much anyways, as it ALWAYS cancelled before I wanted it to. I just have to remember to turn them off myself.

[Ken Talbot]

Issue #1
When I turn on my blinkers, they go on, but don't blink (both sides do this). But when I turn my flashers (hazard lights) on they all blink just fine. Is this the flasher relay going bad? Or am I missing something here?

More often than not, this is a sympton of dirty electrical connections. When your battery is in decent condition, and all of your connections are clean, your blinkers will blink even when you're sitting in traffic at idle. Once they start to "not blink", it is a good sign it is time to start cleaning.

BTDT...

[xs11lover]

Hey free, your bike is a 1980 xs1100 SG special from what I can see in your other post. It should show a build date of 1979 on the sticker on the triple tree base in the front forks. I don't really remember if they had flashers though. I didn't think they were added until the 81s.

[cywelchjr]

I don't know about the specials, but the 80 standards have 4 way flashers.

[b.walker5]

My 80 SG does, although they dont work at the moment for some reason.

[bikerphil]

All 80 and later XS11 have the hazard flashers (US models).

[thefreeauction]

Hey everyone, thanks for the info!!! You guys are awesome!

I have issue #1 (non-working blinkers) taken care of. I went to O'Riley auto parts and got a Bussmann heavy duty flasher, part number 575 (trailer towing flasher). Put that in and now my blinkers work. It's a little smaller than the original that it doesn't fit in the little holder very well, but I managed.

Now I read the XS650 headlights will bolt right on to my stock brackets? Like part # 09-0074 over at Mikesxs.net? Will all I need then is a bolt/screw on each side?

Here's the mess up front:



Thanks again!
Dan