new to xs 1100

[footpeg]

Hey just bought a 1979 xs 1100 special...

The tack does not work along with brake light when front brake is applied.


The bike had 9980 miles when I got it about a 1/4 mile down road..now has 10,110 with new plugs (bp6es) and it has a fresh K&n filter. It seems to leak oil from crankcase breather tube thingy or its comes from little rubber thingy fron bottom of airbox.....it's not and overly oiled filter dripping (k&n fluid at least) haha

Any help on these few tinkering problems would be very helpful!!

thanks phillip

[bikerphil]

Probably too much oil in the crankcase. Make sure the oil isn't contaminated with gas. There is a window down by the brake pedal, oil should be in the center of the glass with the bike on the centerstand, not the sidestand.

As for the tach, it gets it's signal from alternator pulses. If your charging system isn't putting out, the tach won't work. Might be dirty or melted alternator connections behind the fuse panel. Check the battery voltage with the engine revved up a bit, should be 13.5V or higher.

Welcome aboard.

[justme1100]

As for the brake light problem, check the switch in the handle. Check the continuity with a multi-meter. The little button in the handle could be corroded and stuck or the wires to it could be bad. Use caution if removing switch.

[CatatonicBug]

Use caution if removing switch.

Yeah, that switch has a little tab that "snaps" into place. A small screwdriver pressed into the hole on the side will release the tab. Just follow the wires to where it plugs into the harness and check for continuity.

As Phil mentioned, there is a big white plug that lives behind the fuse panel (you have to pull the whole fuse block and the plate that it mounts to), and it has a tendency to getting corroded and melting the connector. If that is the case, member Geezer sells the new connectors, or you can just directly connect the wires together.

Welcome aboard!