Removing Gererator Cover

[rickybeaver]

I am going to replace the generator cover on my xs1100 do I have to replace the electrical parts inside or can I just replace the cover. I see there are three allen heads in the middle and some around the perimeter. Do I have to remove them all? Also is there a gasket that should be replaced also? Thanks:Rick

Having a ball with this old thing,seem to be riding it more than my V-Star.

[bikerphil]

Don't take the 3 center Allen bolts out, or you will have to re-align the stator assembly. If it isn't centered perfectly, the rotor can hit the stator and ruin it. There should be a gasket between the cover and the engine case. If you don't have a good one, either make one out of gasket paper or perhaps just use RTV. You don't want any rain water getting up in there. Also, there is a taper fit oil galley plug at the bottom of the engine case. If it was leaking oil, you might want to pull that out and replace the O-ring with a new one. Do not by any means run or turn the engine with the alt cover off, as the oil pressure will blow that plug out and spew oil everywhere. The only thing holding that plug in is the tightened down alt cover. Just replace the whole assembly and don't remove the internal stator if all possible. HTH

[fredintoon]

Hi Ricky,
the cover is just an aluminum casting but the inner and outer alternator coils are attached to it.
The 3 inner bolts hold the inner coil to the casting and are best left in place until the cover is off the engine block.
Why you do that BTW?

[natemoen]

If the cover just doesn't look food just spends a little time cleaning and polishing it.

[cywelchjr]

If the cover just doesn't look food just spends a little time cleaning and polishing it.

My cover doesn't look food, but if it did I would get hungry when riding.

[OregonRider]

Really dumb question

before I go removing covers and cause more problems...
Is the generator on the left or right side on an XJ1100?
I know the left side is the Timing Plate cover. So here is the reason for my question, I have a service manual that highlights various parts of the bike and labels it R.H. or L.H. It points to the Timing Plate cover with L.H. Which doesn't make sense to me. Is the generator behind the timing plate? I don't think so...
I'm assuming the Generator cover is actually on the right side (large round cover near the highway pegs, inline with the crank shaft and has 5 screws holding it on.
Last time I thought I knew what I was doing without being sure was on an old Honda CB400 and made a real mess on my garage floor.
"Good decisions are usually the result of the cumulative consequences of bad decisions."

[bikerphil]

Right side in line with the crank as you are sitting on the bike. Don't run the bike with the cover off, there is an oil galley plug that will fly out when oil pressure is obtained.

[tom clisham]

It's definitely on the right side.

I've got to replace mine due to damage on the bottom, & figured I'd use the old coils, etc. Hope nothing goes wrong

[OregonRider]

Awesome, Thanks guy's.
I want to check the brushes. bought a set on e-bay a while back but just now getting to it.

[James England]

Awesome, Thanks guy's.
I want to check the brushes. bought a set on e-bay a while back but just now getting to it.

What brushes?

[foreda]

Brushes

Like James said.. What brushes??

[lancelot455]

It's an XJ they have brushes inside that need replacing.

[foreda]

Brushes

It's an XJ they have brushes inside that need replacing.

Hmm. Learn something everyday! Seems odd though!
I don't know didley about XJ's.

[cywelchjr]

Hmm. Learn something everyday! Seems odd though!
I don't know didley about XJ's.

Xj's have a different system with brushes that puts out a little more juice. The price is the brushes that must be replaced every so often.

[James England]

I am going to replace the generator cover on my xs1100

I read this and didn't realise the thread had metamorphosed into an XJ. I now retract my question "what brushes?" ! I'm kind of pleased the XS doesn't have them...