fuse box question

[650mark]

i've seen many, many posts about replacing the stock xs1100 fuse box. my '80 special is in excellent, like new condition (13,500 miles) and has lived most of it's life garaged in arizona. are you guys replacing your fuse boxes due to deterioration or will even clean ones fail due to age? anybody else with an original one in good condition having any problems with it? thanks

[WMarshy]

No one has ever polled the reason for replacement but in general people replace them for a few different reasonels.
1. The brass clips get weak and fatigue then break.
2. Blade fuses can be found anywhere.
3. The one offered by TopCat has additional slots to add driving lights...etc.
4. Its cheap and improves reliability

[natemoen]

The brass clips are the main reason. As they age and bend repeatedly the brass gardens and gets brittle and then breaks at the worst possible moment.

Also the glass fuses often trick people, they will look intact, show intact when checked for continuity but due to failure of the adhesive and whatnot they can no longer carry the required load but don't "blow", they just quit working.

[650mark]

fuse box

and how does one go about getting a new fusebox from "tc"? thanks

[natemoen]

and how does one go about getting a new fusebox from "tc"? thanks

TopCatGr58 (something like that at least) he is the Admin of the site. PM him and he will set you up.

[haywardguy929]

Was wondering that too.

Had noticed it mentioned a few times. As always intellingent replies.
Good question and answers that come from experience, thanks guys.

[Gallaecus]

I have an 81 MNS with the original fuse block and i believe this bike's value is in the originality, so I wouldn't change it, if i had to, I would rebuild it with the original parts when ever possible.

[jwhughes3]

Thanks for reminding me to order a couple more fuse blocks!

John

[jetmechmarty]

There really isn't anything wrong with the original fusebox (when it's new). After the fuses have been in and out over the years, those clips weaken and break. If you fix or replace the box with new and the electrical system is good enough that you don't have to be popping fuses in and out, it should last another 25 years or so. TC's box is better, but if you don't do the installation properly, you'll have a whole new problem.

Mike's XS has a box that may fit if you want glass fuses.


I opted for the blade fuses.


If yours ain't broke, I suggest you don't fix it.

[webbcraft2150]

Aside from the reasons listed below, I actually measured voltage before and after the swap. The after voltage was higher. Not by alot but every bit helps with our marginal charging systems. Also the glass fuses are getting to be dinosaurs and the prices for glass vs ATO or ATC type reflect that. You can pack a bunch of the spade type fuses for a song. Also, as age clouds our dimming eyesite (for some of us), the spade type are color coded for easy ID. You can also find the spade type almost anywhere, grocery stores even carry them. But, if you keep blowing fuses you have a problem. The OEM box is going to fail at some point and it most likely will not be in your driveway. Don't forget the 30amp master fuse on the other side. You can replace that with an inline, ATO or ATC type fuse holder. Do it before it fails.

[skids]

Don't forget the 30amp master fuse on the other side. You can replace that with an inline, ATO or ATC type fuse holder. Do it before it fails.

That would be applicable for the 80 and 81s, not the 78 and 79's nless you want to relocate the main fuse from the block.

[DGXSER]

If you get the box TC sells, you can move the main fuse into the same box. Done it several times.

As to maintaining the value of the bike, unless your bike has very very low miles on it, the chances are there is already aftermarket parts somewhere. So I would not lose sleep over the value your losing from the fusebox replacement. There are very few buyers out there looking for a 100% stock XS1100 that will pay a premium for it, IMO anyway.

[MaximPhil]

I have an 81 MNS with the original fuse block and i believe this bike's value is in the originality, so I wouldn't change it, if i had to, I would rebuild it with the original parts when ever possible.

Hi Steven,
A valid opinion. However I know my bike is for riding and while it has some "rare" appeal it is never going to make me any$$$ but it is going to give me a lot of pleasure riding a reliable bike all over hell's 1/2 acre.
Phil

[MaximPhil]

TopCatGr58 (something like that at least) he is the Admin of the site. PM him and he will set you up.

When you order ask for the connectors as well. Just a couple of $'s more and you get the right ones and don't have to make another trip to the store.
I believe a running XS is worth more than an all original that fails to start
Phil

[DGXSER]

You can rebuild the original fuse box with new fuse holders. And the glass fuses are not THAT problematic. They are however getting more and more difficult to locate. So, while I do like the upgrade to TCs fuse box, I do not see it as a compromise or asking for trouble to rebuild the stock one. Just more trouble than TCs for my efforts.

Now, you still need care when installing TCs as well. A few years ago, when I first joined the site, there was a local XSive that could not get his bike to start after installing the new fuse box. I went over and looked at it with him, used my meter to trace out the problem. Voltage followed right along to the fuse box, through the new fuse to. After about fifteen minutes of tracing wires we found that one of his crimp connectors was not tight. Wire pulled right out. Put on a new crimp connector and it started right up.