Electrical Problems - Please Help!!

[JosephHarris]

OK guys im kinda new and this is my first post so please bare with me. i bought a 79 xs1100 last month from a guy on Craigslist for 400 bucks. For good or bad, whats done is done. mechanically every thing is there. The wiring is just every which way. when i got the bike, it tuned over and the starter worked just fine, but there was no spark which i attributed to the bike missing the ignition unit. i ordered one off of eBay for 50 bucks. Then whenever it came in i went to install it but the bike wouldn't try to start. The lights, turn signal, speedo all work, it just doesn't try to start. This happened the first day i had the bike, but the next day it started acting normal again.
i can post pics if needed

thanks everyone

[crazy steve]

First, do you have a service manual? If not, download one here: http://www.ringler.us/family/mybike.html

There's test procedures for nearly all the electrical components in the manual, you'll have to do the checks to track the problem down. If the problem is in the harness, look here: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35337. For clarity on tracing individual circuits, use the circuit diagrams in the unit repair section.

These bikes are infamous for poor electrical connections if they've been sitting and/or neglected, so you have to go through and check to see where they're bad. Failed components aren't that common other than the crummy factory fuse panels, it's usually bad/dirty connections, although the spark plug boots always bear checking.

[JosephHarris]

I've got the service manual. I'm just not that great with electrical issues. it doesn't help that through the years most of the wires have been sliced, spliced and soldered back together. Mainly I'm just unsure where to start with the tests. I've been contemplating whether or not to just say **** it and get the bike rewired but I'm just worried what there gonna charge me.

[crazy steve]

If the harness is really hashed, then it might pay to get a good used replacement. I don't recommend building a new harness from scratch as it can get very expensive if done right, even more if you pay somebody to do it. But most can be repaired, it just takes time and a few right parts and tools.

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome to the world of electrical gremlins! Start by going through every single connection on the bike and cleaning them out. Treat each one with a corrosion cleaner like Deoxit, then dab it with dielectric grease. Make sure you get the main ground connections as well, but you can use anti-sieze instead of dielectric grease on those. If you find connections that are beyond repair, member Geezer has a shop that sells all the connectors to replace them correctly. Be sure you have the right crimper though. Use the electrical diagram in the manual and take the time to truly understand where each connection goes and what it does. In the end, you will feel a lot more comfortable diagnosing issues.

We definitely like pictures though! Show us your new ride!

[dpotter58]

If your harness is really fubared you can find a usually replacement from someone here. If you go that route, be sure to get the correct one for your bike. As the others said clean all the connections. DEOXITE works well.Take some pictures before you take it apart. The end connections plug and play. they only plug into the correct "other" end so there's not much guessing.
Welcome and good luck

[JosephHarris]

Well here's the bike, tell me what you guys think. 400 bucks. good deal or bad??

[BA80]

It ain't bad.............once you get all the ugly off of it...

The rainbow color scheme has GOT TO GO!

If some wiring and paint is the only problems you done good

[ViperRon]

Check the kill switch first for connection problems. I just developed a problem today I have to track down concerning the same issue with intermittant starter and it revolves arround kill switch.

[crazy steve]

Looking at the pics, you should check your motor number against the frame number. It look like you have a '81 motor installed, and there's major differences in the ignition system (early bikes have mechanical advance, '81s don't) that will make it run badly unless the early parts were swapped on or you have the '81 ignition box.

Yeah, your harness ain't the best I've ever seen. It definitely needs some love...

[fredintoon]

Hi Joe,
like Steve sez, that ain't the original motor. What I see is; it don't have the kickstart spline sticking out, there's a plastic bung there instead.
'80s & '81s were both like that but only the '81 lacked the mechanical advancer and needs the different iggybox. Engine # check should say which it is.
And your harness has been loved way too much already. What it needs is TLC.

Looking at the pics, you should check your motor number against the frame number. It look like you have a '81 motor installed, and there's major differences in the ignition system (early bikes have mechanical advance, '81s don't) that will make it run badly unless the early parts were swapped on or you have the '81 ignition box.
Yeah, your harness ain't the best I've ever seen. It definitely needs some love...

Also, did the bike come with a front fender? You need that fender because it helps those skinny forks not to twitch. A TKAT fork brace helps too. Both is even better.

[DGXSER]

Definitely look up the engine VIN, that engine could be 80 or 81, no kick start gear, alternator cover has no black circle which the 81 did have, 80 did not. But the timing cover does have the circle so it could be the 81. also the jugs are painted black which was an 81 thing.

Even after you check the VIN, pull that timing cover off, have a look see under there and determine if there is a mech advance unit under there. If it does not have the mech advance, then you need the 81 TCI unit (4RO) If it does then any 2H7 TCI (iggy box) will work.

I would ditch the fuse box and get the replacement kit TC sells.

[crazy steve]

...Mainly I'm just unsure where to start with the tests..

Look at the manual and read the forum troubleshooting guides, and start at the beginning of the circuit. Problems with electrical are not always obvious and there are no 'shortcuts' to finding them. Personally, if I'm having issues with a circuit, I'll go through and check the whole thing, even if I think I've found the problem early in the process; sometimes a major problem can mask a bunch of minor ones that added together can be nearly as bad.

[motoman]

Looking at the pics, you should check your motor number against the frame number. It look like you have a '81 motor installed, and there's major differences in the ignition system (early bikes have mechanical advance, '81s don't)

Yeah, your harness ain't the best I've ever seen. It definitely needs some love...

Tis an 80' or earlier, no recessed blackend circle around Yamaha on either the ign. cover or the alt. cover. Good chance a 79 like he says the bike is alleged to be. Doubtful those covers are changed.

[JosephHarris]

ok so just got the engine and frame number
engine - 4r1-000291
frame - 2h7-002324
from what ive read on the internet, i have a 81 engine in a 79 frame, just like you guys said.
this kinda sucks considering i just got a ignition unit for a 79
im pretty sure that the wiring harness is a 79 as well
so my question is, if i decide to go with a new wiring harness, what year should i get?