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New to this site and really enjoy it! Back on a bike after 11 year hiatus. Brother in Law bought me a 1980 xs1100 in Missouri and brought it to me last Saturday. Him being certified Harley mechanic we did the things necessary to get it up and running (went thru tank, carbs, ect) and it purrs like a kitten. It did however arrive with a home made light switch/setup run directly off the battery (previous owner had charging issues) and the charging was not working. Thanks to your great site I found an easy alternator test and preformed it today. Did ohm test on stator and found it to be fine, also the regulator to my surprise was fine. Put it back together and sure enough light popped right on and it was pulling a 14.5 volts under throttle. Keep in mind I did nothing but the testing. Started it later to go for a ride and charging system down again. Performed all tests again and this time the regulator failed. No more charging or light coming on by itself. Put it back together and said the hell with it. Just went out to put it away for the night and when I started it to move it the damn light came on and the alternator is clearly working again. I'm at my wits end with this one! I'm not seeing any bad ground issues, what would be by next move. Brother in Law is 6 hours away and doesn't know much about the Yamaha setup, I'm hoping you guys can help. Thanks
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Current Daily Rides / Projects
1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013) -
First place to look is the three white wire connector behind the fuse box bracket. Pull the right side plastic side cover off. Then remove the three screws holding the fuse box bracket to the side of the battery box. You will want to remove the connector to the signal flasher under the fuse box so the panel will move out of the way.
You will see behind there a couple connectors, one of which should have three large white wires coming in and out of it. It may be burned or melted, or just corroded. It is a common point of trouble.Life is what happens while your planning everything else!
When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.
81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection
Previously owned
93 GSX600F
80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
81 XS1100 Special
81 CB750 C
80 CB750 C
78 XS750 -
Don't know were Winchester Ks is but there are some great XSives and XS tech people in KC and around Wichita.
You most likely have a connector or fuse that is making intermittent contact.
Check ALL your electrical plugs, particularly the ones behind the fuse box, to the rectifier and the fuses for good connection. The fuse panel is one of the biggest electrical problems on these old bikes. Some light emory cloth to clean all the fuse contacts and make sure they grip the fuses tightly.
Connectors, and fuse panel is where you should start. I can almost certainly say that is where your problem lies.
Welcome to the board Jeff.
Greg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.
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Dammit don!!!!!!!!!!
Greg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.Comment
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I don't know where Winchester, KS is either...I am from Nebraska. Anyways I guess I from what is being said I need to focus on dirty connectors / bad wiring/ cleaning fuse block and forget about replacing parts for now?Current Daily Rides / Projects
1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)Comment
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Hmmmm...........could have sworn that's what it said in your location when I typed that post.Originally posted by neJeff View Post
It IS probably just a bad connection somewhere.Greg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.Comment
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Parts in general, and electrical ones in particular, typically do not work well, then not work, then wokr fine again. That is typically a tell-tale sign of a loose, bad, or dirty connection. Reallistically, it is never a bad idea to go through the entire harness and clean all of the connectors. For your particular problem, the one behind the fuse box is very often the culprit.Life is what happens while your planning everything else!
When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.
81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection
Previously owned
93 GSX600F
80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
81 XS1100 Special
81 CB750 C
80 CB750 C
78 XS750Comment
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Is there a spray or dressing or something to help clean & keep clean the connectors? From what I have seen so far they look ok to the eye but is there a spray that might help? I am also changing out all fuse's. They are not blown but what the heck.Current Daily Rides / Projects
1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)Comment
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Deoxit I think it is called is a good electrical connection spray for cleaning. Also pack all the connectors before reassembly with dielectric grease to keep moisture and dirt out.Nathan
KD9ARL
μολὼν λαβέ
1978 XS1100E
K&N Filter
#45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
OEM Exhaust
ATK Fork Brace
LED Dash lights
Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
Green Monster Coils
SS Brake Lines
Vision 550 Auto Tensioner
In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Theodore RooseveltComment
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Yeah Jeff, the auto parts store will have electrical cleaner around where the carb cleaner and brake cleaner are.
You can't always see the corrosion but it's there.
I hope this get's it working for ya.
Greg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.Comment
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Damn... Deoxit... I got a can less than 2 feet away from me and never thought of it! I use it to clean control pots on old stereo equipment. I'll also pack all in the grease as mentioned. Got to get all fluids changed out this weekend too. Owned this thing since Saturday and it's already taking over my life but a great way to spend $750.00! Thanks again guysCurrent Daily Rides / Projects
1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)Comment
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Crazy isn't it!Nathan
KD9ARL
μολὼν λαβέ
1978 XS1100E
K&N Filter
#45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
OEM Exhaust
ATK Fork Brace
LED Dash lights
Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
Green Monster Coils
SS Brake Lines
Vision 550 Auto Tensioner
In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Theodore RooseveltComment
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