electrical drag

[dschmitta]

hey, wondering if anyone knows how to upgrade charging system on xs1100g?
runs good for few days and then starts giving problems startin, etc. thanks

[bikerphil]

What I did was to eliminate the alt plug in back of the fuse panel and hard wire 3 new 14 gauge wires up to the reg/rec, and I now have 14+ volts at 3K rpm, voltage never should go over 14.5 in any case. The reg/rec I was using at first was only producing 13V with this setup, but after trying a couple different ones (thanks Jonathan) I found one that kicks out 14.5V, YMMV

[motoman]

hey, wondering if anyone knows how to upgrade charging system on xs1100g?
runs good for few days and then starts giving problems startin, etc. thanks

Charging system needs no upgrade............unplug, clean and dielectic grease ALL plug-in connection......pay particular attention to the ones behind fuse panel. If you haven't already, change out the buss fuse panel for a spade terminal fuse panel. Also, clean ignition switch internally and definitely remove kill switch assembly, take apart and soak pieces including the switch itself in EvaporRust, clean and dry, a dab of dielectic grease on contacts and re-assemble.
Also remove left side ignition cover and pull on pick-up coil wires every inch looking for a stretching insulation which reveals a broken wire internally.
Report back, as that oughta' keep you busy for a bit with a volt/ohm meter.

Also, remove clean and seal ALL grounding points with a shot of clear batt. term. spray AFTER re-connecting.

[dschmitta]

electral drag

sounds like an update or two and some good old TLC. it's such a good solid bike sometimes i forget everything on it has got some years, use and weather behind it. thanks for info, much appreciated

[James England]

Blade fuse panel

They still sell the old glass type fuse boxes on eBay although I can't think why anyone would actually want to fit one! The blade fuses are the way to go....

[3Phase]

They still sell the old glass type fuse boxes on eBay although I can't think why anyone would actually want to fit one! The blade fuses are the way to go....

For me, I use a new glass fuse holder from Radio Shack/Littelfuse with the stock fuse box.

Fuse Block Replacement


With the low profile fuse box and glass fuses I can stash a spare TCI under the right-hand side cover, the ATO fuse block and fuses are too tall and a TCI won't fit.

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[James England]

Have you had a bad experience with a TCI failing? I've often wondered about carrying a spare, although I've never actually done so with any bike that has one... I'm not a fan of the glass fuses mainly because they are more difficult to get hold of than the blade type.

Wouldn't a spare TCI fit under the rear seat cowl? Or does your model not have one?

[3Phase]

Have you had a bad experience with a TCI failing? I've often wondered about carrying a spare, although I've never actually done so with any bike that has one... I'm not a fan of the glass fuses mainly because they are more difficult to get hold of than the blade type.

Meh, there's nothing wrong with glass fuses. As a matter of fact they have a greater temperature and chemical resistance by several orders of magnitude than any cheap, modern, plastic fuse. I've had vehicles and still have some equipment made in the '50s and '60s with their original glass fuses from the factory. I think some of the problems of late may have been caused by shifting manufacturing to places that don't actually know what a fuse is or why they're making them.

Wouldn't a spare TCI fit under the rear seat cowl? Or does your model not have one?

No, there's no seat cowl on a US '80G.

Once upon a time, the voltage regulator failed high and put out over 18V for a very long time before I caught it. That cooked a lot of stuff, including the new battery so I suspected that there might be a problem with the TCI and I bought a spare.

And of course the spare TCI has to go under the right-hand side cover because the spare voltage regulator/rectifier is already bolted under the rear of the seat pan just above the fender.

.

[James England]

Meh, there's nothing wrong with glass fuses. As a matter of fact they have a greater temperature and chemical resistance by several orders of magnitude than any cheap, modern, plastic fuse. I've had vehicles and still have some equipment made in the '50s and '60s with their original glass fuses from the factory. I think some of the problems of late may have been caused by shifting manufacturing to places that don't actually know what a fuse is or why they're making them.



No, there's no seat cowl on a US '80G.

Once upon a time, the voltage regulator failed high and put out over 18V for a very long time before I caught it. That cooked a lot of stuff, including the new battery so I suspected that there might be a problem with the TCI and I bought a spare.

And of course the spare TCI has to go under the right-hand side cover because the spare voltage regulator/rectifier is already bolted under the rear of the seat pan just above the fender.

.

So, here do you put the spare crankshaft and pistons?

[3Phase]

So, here do you put the spare crankshaft and pistons?

I usually stash the major running spares somewhere inconspicuous inside the engine case itself, then bolt the case together and seal 'em in with Yamabond so they can't fall out and get lost out on the road. Unfortunately I baked my last good spares so I had to order some more from the parts freezer up in The Great White North.

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[James England]

I have the ideal solution for you..... Tow a trailer with a complete spares bike on it!

Thinking about it, through the mists of time, I once went down the Loire Valley in France and did take a spare TCI with me. Of course, I didn't need it...merely carrying it was a magic talisman. I did, however, get a puncture on the rear tyre, on one of the many French 'jour feries'...holidays for no apparent reason. This necessitated waiting until the next day with my rear wheel off. The Spare TCI was of no help whatsoever!

[3Phase]

James,

Towing a complete spare bike is a bit much even for me but you can carry a spare tire as a talisman to ward off most of the evil air flattening spirits!


DSC00800_rec by Scott_Ci, on Flickr

If you want to carry spare front and rear tires, wear them around your middle like a Hula Hoop. It'll supplement your riding gear if you forget to stay on top of your motorcycle and you can get some exercise at fuel stops. Put some pinto beans in pill bottles inside the tires so you can get something like the legendary "Shoop! Shoop!" sound out of them.

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[jwhughes3]

Everyone thinks I carry 2 spares around my middle but its really just beer.

John

[3Phase]

Everyone thinks I carry 2 spares around my middle but its really just beer.

John

I know what you mean, John! I just looked again at some of the Canon City rally pictures and I'm going to need a lot more than a few Hula Hoop sessions myself!

.

[MaximPhil]

Everyone thinks I carry 2 spares around my middle but its really just beer.

John

Hi John,

Phil