1981 XS1100H Frame Ground Points

[mmatches1]

I have been reviewing the electrical schematic for my bike and am confused about the frame ground points. The drawing shows several ground points but only one frame ground and that is connected to rectifier, reserve lighting unit, fuel sending unit, tail and brake lights, generator, terminal assembly, rear turn signal, ignitor unit. It does not show the battery negative connection as a frame ground. I have read that there are 3 frame ground locations on these bikes. Can anyone confirm the locations? I would like to tie the frame grounds together. Thanks, Doug

[crazy steve]

The three points are:

!. Battery cable, directly below the battery post on the diagonal frame tube from the swingarm pivot to the shock mount. There's two threaded holes here; one for the cable, the other is the retaining bolt for the tool box.

2. Engine ground, this is from one of the middle drive bolt to a frame bracket. The bracket is located on the cross piece that also has the battery tray mounts and the emergency kicker storage mounts (if so equipped).

3. Under the rear regulator bolt.

More info in this... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ighlight=frame
Send me a PM with your email if you want pics.

As far as tying them together, if you just tie the battery cable and regulator grounds that will do it. The engine ground doesn't really come into play except when starting the bike, otherwise it only supplies a ground for the neutral and oil lights, very low current. Do make sure the engine ground is good, but installing a small-gauge tie wire may melt it when starting...

[mmatches1]

Great stuff - thanks. Another misprint in the Repair Manual.

[MaximPhil]

Hey Doug, Thanks for asking that question.
And Thanks for answering Steve.
I have cleaned 2 of those and will now add the engine ground to my list of things to do.
Phil

[XSive-11]

Sorry bring back an old thread...I am in process of cleaning up my ground points while my carbs soak. I see you guys say to tie in the regulator/rectifier into the negative of the battery. Is it better to solder a splice into the negative cable, or throw another terminal on top of the negative post?

Also, just to clarify (remember, I am electronic stupid, lol), the regulator/rectifier ground point is on the frame, not the wire harness going to it, correct?

Thanks,
Lee

EDIT - Nevermind, I see you said rear bolt. Just didn't want to mess anything up. Thanks

[skids]

Clean off the paint where the screw mounts the VR to the frame for a good ground. I wouldn't splice into the braided cable, but you can run a wire to the frame near the cable ground or to the battery negetive if you want to...

There are other electricals that need to go through the braided cable. If you HAVE to ground the VR to the negetive at the battery, you have other problems.

[XSive-11]

Thank you. I cleaned the frame where the rear bolt goes through and ran a cable from that bolt to the battery negative.

I didn't HAVE to, I read somewhere on here that it was a good idea to do so, so I did I was going to run one from engine block to negative on battery too, but Crazy Steve had said in a post it wasn't necessary.

Lee