Hello and fuel light...

[kevxs1100]

I am new to the forum and new to the XS11 and wanted to say hello! My name is Bob and I live in SE PA. I bought my first 1979 XS11 off of eBay about 2 weeks ago and just love it. I had a 1980 850 Special and thought it was a great bike also. This 1100 has so much more power it is amazing!

I have a lot of questions that you all have probably answered a million times.

I have a quick one...

I didn't get an owners manual with the bike and the fuel light has started coming on. What could it mean? The bike has plenty of gas in it. I know the carbs are not 100% and will need a good cleaning. The bike runs pretty good though. I am thinking it has something to do with the vacuum.

Which brings me to dumb question number two...

Can you do away with the vacuum lines (octopus I guess you call it) and run ON OFF RESERVE petcocks?

Thanks in advance!

-Bob, ke3qp@comcast.net.

PS: Question number 3: Does anyone have an owner’s manual or a complete tool kit (with the oil dip stick) for a 1979 XS1100SF they might be willing to sell???

[Geezer]

You either have a short in the wire to the light or the sender in the tank is failing. The gas light was never that good anyway. I'd just unplug it and tape up the end off the wiring harness.

Geezer

[Ken Talbot]

Bob - you'll find these questions, and a whole lot more, covered at some length in the various Maintenance, Repairs, and Modifications sections. Another useful item is the Search tab at the top of the page. 'Fuel light' and 'octopus' will each bring up about 75 or so hits. Bottom line, there are a number of owners and shop manuals available in a variety of formats, and lots of people have done away with the octopus. Check out some of the articles and you'll be able to decide which will work best for you....

[TopCatGr58]

Just wanted to add in the LINKS section, you'll find a place to D/L an owner's manual(not a repair manual) for the 81 H/SH series, but will apply to the 80's as well, and even a fair amount to the 78-79. It's in PDF format, about 6MB worth a look! Also, there are tips about making your own dipstick for all THREE fluid reserviors you'll want to check and monitor!! Welcome, and be safe out there, but have fun too!