1979 xs1100s ignition issue

[dondons1984]

ok so cleaned all the electrical fuses (12v each one). I do have the tank off so I decided to put a little gas in were each spark plug goes. I hit the start button and it took a little but man it coughed like no other and seemed like it tried to turn over. Plus then the headlight kicked on.

[dondons1984]

also before I forget to mention I guess I am going to have to order a rebuild kit for my left side (sitting on bike) petcock cause I got a small drip that turns into a leak when I turn it to prime.

[dondons1984]

thanks guys for the advice. I am going to be looking into the fuses that are still factory. If it is just as simple as that then I am going to be riding in no time. I still cant believe I got this bike for 250.00 and it looks like it just came off the show room floor

[motoman]

Hey Don,

Glad you got the registration confirmation email and have already posted!! WELCOME!

Do you have a multimeter?? Secondly, do you still have the OEM fuseblock with glass fuses? They can look good, but be bad, and the thin brass clips corrode, weaken and don't hold the fuse well causing loss of current flow.

With the bike sitting for 17 years, I'm pretty sure you got a NEW BATTERY for it, so you should have good voltage...the ignition system needs at least 11 volts during cranking/starting. Electrical gremlins are a big problem to getting the bike running, but the coils should not have gone bad just sitting. There are techniques for testing them with the multimeter. See the tech tips, along with downloading manuals from Catatonic Bug's website linked through his profile page here!!

Also use the multimeter/voltmeter to check for voltage on both sides of the fuses on the fuseblock...suspecting glass fuses!

That will get you started.

T.C.

........and don't look for spark against motor without plugs in caps and grounded to motor. Apparently it can 'kill' the coils.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Don,

Glad you got the registration confirmation email and have already posted!! WELCOME!

Do you have a multimeter?? Secondly, do you still have the OEM fuseblock with glass fuses? They can look good, but be bad, and the thin brass clips corrode, weaken and don't hold the fuse well causing loss of current flow.

With the bike sitting for 17 years, I'm pretty sure you got a NEW BATTERY for it, so you should have good voltage...the ignition system needs at least 11 volts during cranking/starting. Electrical gremlins are a big problem to getting the bike running, but the coils should not have gone bad just sitting. There are techniques for testing them with the multimeter. See the tech tips, along with downloading manuals from Catatonic Bug's website linked through his profile page here!!

Also use the multimeter/voltmeter to check for voltage on both sides of the fuses on the fuseblock...suspecting glass fuses!

That will get you started.

T.C.

[dondons1984]

So newbie here. I got a pristine 1979 xs1100 that the owner wanted to just get rid of. After goi g through it. (Sat for 17 years but maintained also as in carbs rebuilt and drained and heated storage). I have tried to start it. I am not getting a spark with the grounding tried k of spark plug to the block and screw driver to the block. So do I have bad coils? Cause everything else works minus the headlight. Cause I can go buy new plugs if I need to. I just need to know if I need new coils or not.